Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2027/2028: Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships

Scholarship Details

Introduction

Applications are open for the 2027/2028 Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, a fully funded scholarship programme that enables eligible students from Commonwealth countries to pursue Master’s degrees at participating universities in the United Kingdom.

The programme is funded jointly by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and participating UK universities through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC).

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For the 2027/2028 academic year, the programme is being offered in partnership with 47 UK universities, with more than 200 courses available, according to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s announcement.

The scholarship is designed for talented students who have the potential to contribute to the development of their home countries but cannot afford to study in the UK without financial assistance.

About the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is one of the scholarship programmes administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK.

It supports students from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries who wish to undertake full-time, one-year taught Master’s programmes in the UK.

The programme aims to develop skilled professionals and future leaders who can use the knowledge and expertise gained during their studies to address development challenges in their home countries.

The 2027/2028 scholarships are for courses beginning in September or October 2027.

Scholarship Benefits

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship provides the following benefits:

• Full tuition fees: The scholarship covers approved tuition fees through an agreement between the CSC and the participating university.
• Return airfare: Approved economy-class airfare from the scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the scholarship.
• Monthly living allowance: £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month for scholars studying at universities in the London metropolitan area. These are the currently published rates and may be updated.
• Warm clothing allowance: Provided where applicable.
• Thesis grant: Financial support towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable.
• Study travel grant: Support for study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
• Tuberculosis test contribution: A contribution towards the cost of a mandatory TB test where required for a UK visa application, subject to the applicable conditions.

Additional Support

Eligible scholars may also receive:

• Disability Support Allowance: Additional support following an assessment of the scholar’s needs and eligibility.
• Child allowance: For scholars who are widowed, divorced or single parents and whose children under 16 live with them at the same UK address. The allowance is £622 per month for the first child and £154 per month for each of the second and third children.

The scholarship does not cover the travel costs of dependants.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2027/2028, applicants must:

1. Nationality: Be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country. British Protected Persons may also qualify.
2. Residency: Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
3. Academic qualification: By September 2027, hold a first degree of at least Upper Second-Class (2:1) honours standard, or a Lower Second-Class degree together with a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master’s degree.
4. Study commencement: Be available to begin their academic studies in the UK in September or October 2027.
5. Previous overseas study or work: Not have studied or worked for one academic year or more in a high-income country.
6. Financial need: Be unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
7. Supporting documents: Provide all required supporting documentation in the specified format.

There is no age limit for Commonwealth Shared Scholarship applications.

Distance learning at a university in a high-income country while living in the applicant’s home country is permitted. However, applicants must declare any such studies in their application.

Eligible Countries

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is open to applicants from the following eligible Commonwealth countries:

• Bangladesh
• Belize
• Botswana
• Dominica
• Eswatini
• Fiji
• Gabon
• The Gambia
• 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
• Togo
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Uganda
• Vanuatu
• Zambia

Eligible Study Programmes

The scholarship supports full-time, taught Master’s programmes lasting one year at participating UK universities.

The courses must be approved by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and demonstrate relevance to development needs.

The programme does not cover:

• Undergraduate degrees.
• PhD programmes.
• Research degrees.
• Courses that are not on the approved course list.

Applicants can apply for more than one course and to more than one participating university, but they can accept only one Commonwealth Shared Scholarship.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the following documents for their online application:

• Passport or National Identity Card: A scan of the personal information page showing the applicant’s photograph, date of birth and citizenship or refugee status.
• Academic transcripts: Full transcripts covering all years of higher education, including certified translations where documents are not in English.
• Degree certificates: Scanned copies of university degree certificates.
• University offer letter: A copy of the offer letter from the selected UK university, where available.
• References: References from qualified referees, submitted on institutional letterhead or as emails that clearly show the senders’ details.

The official application template specifies that the files must be uploaded in PDF, JPG or PNG format and must not exceed 10MB each.

Missing mandatory documents, particularly proof of citizenship, full academic transcripts or references, can make an application ineligible.

Information Required in the Application Form

Applicants will also be asked to provide information covering:

• Undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.
• Up to 10 publications and prizes.
• Employment history and how their experience relates to the proposed Master’s programme.
• Details of three referees qualified to comment on their academic ability and potential development impact. One should be a current employer, where applicable.
• A detailed plan of study.
• Personal statement explaining their background and motivation to contribute to development in their home country.
• Award objectives and how the scholarship will help achieve them.
• Career plans for the five years following the scholarship and long-term career plans.

Development Impact Statement

Applicants must prepare a development impact statement addressing four areas:

1. Explain how the proposed scholarship relates to development issues at global, national and local levels, including issues connected to the selected CSC development theme and wider sector.
2. Explain how they intend to apply the new skills and knowledge gained after completing the scholarship.
3. Describe the expected development changes, intended outcomes, implementation timeframe and beneficiaries.
4. Explain how the impact of their proposed work will be measured and demonstrated.

Applicants should clearly connect their proposed studies to the development needs of their home countries.

How to Apply

There are two separate application requirements: applying for admission to a participating UK university and applying for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship through the CSC.

Follow these steps:

1. Visit the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website.
2. Check the approved courses and participating UK universities for the 2027/2028 academic year.
3. Select a suitable one-year taught Master’s programme.
4. Apply separately for admission to the chosen university and meet its admission requirements.
5. Register on the CSC Central online application portal.
6. Complete the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship application form.
7. Provide your academic, employment, personal and development impact information.
8. Upload all required supporting documents.
9. Review your application and submit it before the deadline.

Important: Applying for the scholarship does not automatically secure admission to a UK university. Applicants must also satisfy the admission requirements of their chosen institution.

Applications and supporting documents must be submitted through the CSC online application system. The Commission does not accept applications or documents sent by email or other means.

Selection Process

Participating UK universities conduct their own recruitment and initial selection of candidates.

The universities then nominate their preferred candidates to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, which checks that nominees meet the scholarship’s eligibility requirements.

Applications are assessed based on:

• Academic merit.
• Quality of the proposed study plan and research proposal, where applicable.
• Potential impact of the applicant’s studies on the development of their home country.

Successful candidates must also satisfy the admission requirements of their chosen university.

Scholarship Duration and Conditions

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is normally awarded for one year and cannot be extended or renewed.

Successful scholars must:

• Study full-time in the UK.
• Return to their home country before the end of their UK visa.
• Follow the approved study plan.
• Obtain CSC approval before making significant changes to their study programme.
• Seek approval before travelling outside the UK during the scholarship.
• Obtain prior CSC approval before undertaking paid employment during the award.

Scholars are not eligible for a UK Graduate visa under this scholarship.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the 2027/2028 Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is:

8 December 2026 at 16:00 GMT.

Applications must be submitted through CSC Central before the closing time. Late applications and documents submitted outside the official online system will not be accepted.

Conclusion

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2027/2028 offers eligible students from Nigeria and other Commonwealth countries an opportunity to pursue a fully funded Master’s degree at a participating UK university.

The award covers approved tuition fees, return airfare, monthly living expenses and other study-related support.

Interested applicants should identify an approved Master’s course, apply for university admission and complete the separate CSC scholarship application before 8 December 2026.

Application Links

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Information:

https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/shared

CSC Central Application Portal:

https://portal.csccentralonline.org.uk/application