Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2027 in UK | £1,712/Month Stipend
Last checked: 14 November 2026
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2027 funds one-year Master’s study in the UK for students from eligible Commonwealth countries. Applications close on 8 December 2026, 16:00 GMT (16:00 UTC).
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2027 Summary
Host: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and participating UK universities
Level: Full-time Master’s (selected one-year courses)
What it covers: Tuition, return flights, monthly stipend and extra grants
Who can apply: Citizens or refugees of 43 eligible Commonwealth countries
How to apply: Direct: apply to the university, then to the CSC online
Deadline: 8 December 2026, 4:00 PM GMT (16:00 UTC)
Status: Open. Study starts September or October 2027
This scholarship is different from the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship. Here, you apply directly, and UK universities nominate the winners. According to the official CSC page, universities send their nominations in March 2027.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Benefits
- Tuition: Full approved fees, paid by the CSC and the university.
- Airfare: Approved return flight to the UK, paid by the CSC.
- Monthly stipend: £1,712, or £2,000 at universities in the London area. The university pays it, and these are the current rates.
- Thesis grant: A contribution to dissertation costs, where it applies.
- Study travel grant: Support for study-related travel in the UK or abroad.
- TB test: A contribution toward the visa tuberculosis test, with receipts.
- Child allowance: For widowed, divorced or single-parent scholars only: £622 a month for the first child, then £154 for the second and third.
- Not covered: Flights for dependants, and flights booked before your award is confirmed.
- Not covered: Undergraduate or PhD study. Part-time courses are also excluded.
- Not covered: Family costs. The allowances are only a partial contribution.
Also check: Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship 2027/28 in the UK
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Eligibility
Only applicants from these 43 countries can apply, according to the official CSC page: Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu and Zambia.
- Be a citizen of, or have refugee status in, an eligible country.
- Live permanently in an eligible country.
- Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) by September 2027. A lower second-class degree also works if you have a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master’s.
- Be ready to start UK study by September 2027.
- Show that you cannot afford UK study without this scholarship.
- Have not studied or worked in a high-income country for one academic year or more. Distance learning from home is allowed, but you must declare it.
- Not eligible: Current or recent UK Government employees and their relatives.
- Not eligible: Staff of the Association of Commonwealth Universities or the British Council.
- Not eligible: Commissioners of the CSC and their relatives.
The CSC does not publish acceptance numbers. It says selection depends on your merit, the quality of your study plan and your potential impact on your home country. A clear plan to use your degree at home makes an application stronger.
Required Documents
- Proof of citizenship: A valid passport or national ID card with photo and date of birth. Refugees need proof of status.
- Transcripts: Full transcripts for every higher education qualification, including courses in progress. Add certified translations if they are not in English. Missing pages make your application ineligible.
- References: At least two signed PDF references on institutional letterhead. Referees must write in their own words, and they must upload by the deadline.
- Form details: Three referees, employment history, up to 10 publications or prizes, a study plan, career plans, a personal statement and leadership activities.
The CSC does not require IELTS itself. However, your university may set its own English language rule.
How to Apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship
- Pick a course: Check the CSC’s approved Master’s course list and the participating universities. You can apply to several, but you can accept only one award.
- Apply for admission: Apply to your chosen university and secure admission. University deadlines are separate from the CSC deadline.
- Prepare offline: Draft your answers using the CSC template form and guidance document.
- Submit on CSC Central: Use the official online portal. The CSC accepts nothing outside it.
- Log in safely: Use two-factor authentication each time. Complete the form in one session or use the save function.
- Check, then submit: Read the eligibility checklist first. You cannot edit a submitted application.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing a course that is not on the approved list. The scholarship works only for listed one-year courses.
- Missing transcript pages or translations, which makes the application ineligible.
- Waiting for the last day. The CSC warns that the system gets busy near the deadline.
The official program never charges agent or processing fees, and insurab.com never charges for applications. The CSC states that its online application system is free.
Also check: Chevening Scholarship 2027 in the UK
Important Dates
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | 8 December 2026, 4:00 PM GMT (16:00 UTC) |
| University nominations to the CSC | March 2027 |
| Course start in the UK | September or October 2027 |
Frequently Asked Questions
It covers full approved tuition fees, return airfare and a monthly stipend. Family costs are only partly covered.
The CSC does not require IELTS. Your chosen university may still ask for proof of English.
The deadline is 8 December 2026 at 4:00 PM GMT. Your university admission deadline is separate.
Shared scholarships are applied for directly to the CSC, with universities choosing winners. Master’s scholarships are submitted through a different process, covered in our Commonwealth Master’s guide.
No. It works only for selected full-time one-year courses on the CSC’s approved list.
Related Articles
- Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship 2027/28 in UK
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28
- University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28
- Reach Oxford Scholarship 2027 in UK
Know a Master’s student who qualifies? Share this guide with them before 8 December.
Khalid Amin
Founder of Insurab | Global Opportunities Researcher
Khalid Amin is the founder of Insurab, a resource for international students and young professionals searching for scholarships, fellowships, internships, conferences, free online courses and study abroad guidance. He tracks opportunities across Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East, and verifies every program against its official source before it is published. Articles are reviewed regularly and updated when deadlines, eligibility rules or benefits change.
