Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027–2028 Cover Tuition, Airfare and Living Costs

Applications are open for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for 2027–2028, supporting approved master’s courses at participating UK universities. Studies begin in September or October 2027. The scholarship application deadline is 8 December 2026 at 16:00 GMT.

What the scholarship covers

• Approved full tuition fees.
• Approved return airfare between the scholar’s home country and the UK.
• A monthly living allowance. The official page currently quotes £1,712, or £2,000 for universities in the London metropolitan area; these are current rates, not a guarantee of an unchanged future rate.
• Applicable thesis and study-travel grants, plus a contribution towards a mandatory tuberculosis test where required for a visa.

Family allowances are conditional contributions, not a promise to cover every dependent’s expenses. Airfare for dependants and journeys made before the award is confirmed are not covered.

Who is eligible?

Applicants must be citizens of, or have refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country and be permanently resident in an eligible country. Only the countries listed on the official programme page qualify; this is not open to every nationality.

By September 2027, candidates need at least an upper-second-class honours degree, or a lower-second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification. Applicants must be unable to afford UK study without the scholarship and meet the restrictions on previous study or work in a high-income country. There is no CSC application age limit.

How to apply

1. Check the approved courses and participating universities.
2. Apply for admission to your chosen university course. This is separate from the scholarship application, and university deadlines may differ.
3. Submit the scholarship application through the online system linked on the official Commonwealth Shared Scholarships page.
4. Upload proof of eligible citizenship or refugee status, complete academic transcripts with certified translations where necessary, and at least two qualifying references by the deadline.

You may apply for more than one course or university, but may accept only one Commonwealth Shared Scholarship. Selection considers academic merit, study plans and development impact. Scholars must commit to returning home under the award conditions.

Deadline: 8 December 2026, 16:00 GMT. Read the current official guidance before applying; this article is an independent summary, not an application service.