Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2025-2026 for Masters Study in the UK
Applications are now open for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2025-2026. This program is one of the three Master’s scholarships offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), supporting talented individuals from all backgrounds who aspire to become leaders and innovators in their home countries after their studies in the UK.
Funded by the UK government and aimed at advancing international development goals, the CSC provides these scholarships through the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP), reflecting the UK’s ongoing commitment to the Commonwealth.
The scholarship program aims to foster sustainable development by supporting promising individuals who can create positive change and build global partnerships.
Scholarship Benefits
Each Commonwealth Shared Scholarship includes:
- Airfare: A round-trip ticket from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and back after the award period.
- Tuition Fees: Full coverage of tuition fees, covered by agreement between the CSC and the UK university.
- Monthly Stipend: £1,378 per month, or £1,690 for those studying at universities in London.
- Warm Clothing Allowance: Provided where applicable.
- Thesis Grant: A grant for thesis or dissertation costs.
- Study Travel Grant: To cover costs related to study-based travel within or outside the UK.
- Tuberculosis Test Contribution: Reimbursement for mandatory TB test costs (with receipts).
- Child Allowance: If the Scholar is a single parent, an allowance of £590 per month for the first child and £146 per month for the second and third child under 16, if living with the Scholar in the UK.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of, or hold refugee status from, an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Reside permanently in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be available to start studies in the UK by September 2025.
- Hold a first degree of at least an upper second-class (2:1) honors standard or a lower second-class degree with a relevant Master’s qualification by September 2025.
- Have not studied or worked for over one academic year in a high-income country.
- Demonstrate financial need, as they must be unable to afford UK studies without the scholarship.
- Submit all required supporting documents in the specified format.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Academic Merit
- Quality of Research Proposal
- Potential Impact on the Candidate’s Home Country Development
How to Apply
Applications are now open for studies beginning in September/October 2025. The deadline to apply is Thursday, 12 December 2024, at 16:00 GMT.
