What the funding covers
- Full tuition fees.
- Approved return airfare.
- A monthly stipend (£1,452, or £1,781 in London, at the most recently published rates).
- Thesis and study travel grants, and child allowances for eligible single parents.
What you will still pay
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Covered in full, by agreement between the CSC and your university |
| Return airfare between home and the UK | The CSC |
| Monthly stipend (£1,452, or £1,781 in London), plus thesis, warm-clothing and study-travel grants where they apply | Your university |
| UK immigration health surcharge | You — the scholarship does not cover it |
| Fares for family members | You — dependants' travel is not covered |
Who can apply
- Citizens of one of the 44 eligible Commonwealth countries.
- Proof that you cannot afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
- No more than one academic year of study or work in a high-income country.
- A 2:1 first degree, or a 2:2 plus a relevant postgraduate qualification. There is no age limit.
Documents you will need
- Passport or national ID showing your photo, date of birth and citizenship
- Full transcripts of all your higher education, including courses in progress, with certified translations if not in English
- At least two signed references as PDFs, on institutional letterhead or with an email showing the sender's details
- A clear case that you could not afford to study in the UK without the scholarship
- Your application to the university for the eligible master's course, by its deadline
How to apply
- Find the participating UK universities and the specific master's courses they offer under the scheme.
- Apply for admission and for the scholarship directly to the university, by its own deadline.
- Universities select candidates and nominate them to the CSC in March.
- Results follow in the late spring or summer.
Before you apply: things to know
- Only selected courses are eligible, and each university sets its own deadline.
- The financial-need test is central — explain clearly why you cannot study in the UK without it.
- Applying to the university for admission alone is not enough; you must also complete its Shared Scholarship application.
Common questions
I have studied abroad before. Can I still apply?
Only if you have not studied or worked for more than one academic year in a high-income country. The scheme is for people who have not had that opportunity.
Is there an age limit?
No. The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships have no age limit.
Which countries are eligible?
43 lower-income Commonwealth countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Cameroon, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Check the CSC page for the full list each year.
A working timeline
Counting back from the next typical deadline (≈ Dec 15, 2026). Steps marked NOW are already due if you start today.
Sep 22, 2026 · NOWResearch the route in depth — confirm eligibility, costs and every required document
Oct 6, 2026Ask your referees (for a PhD, email potential supervisors with a short, specific pitch)
Oct 20, 2026Write the first full draft of your motivation letter or statement of purpose
Nov 3, 2026Order transcripts and certified translations · book any language test
Nov 17, 2026Second draft — get feedback from someone who reads critically
Dec 1, 2026Finalise every document and complete the online form
Dec 8, 2026Submit — never on the last day
Dec 15, 2026Typical deadline
Related routes
Commonwealth Master's Scholarships
Due in 25 daysDetails →
Chevening Scholarships
Due in 11 daysDetails →
Mastercard Foundation Scholars — Cambridge
Due in 54 daysDetails →
Stipendium Hungaricum
Due in 112 daysDetails →
Sources
Page reviewed Sep 25, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official source.