Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Programme: Opportunities for International Master’s Students

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Programme is one of three Master’s programmes offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK. This scholarship aims to support talented students from Commonwealth countries, helping them become future leaders and innovators in their home countries while advancing international collaboration.

The CSC is part of the UK government’s scholarship program focused on sustainable development and the Commonwealth’s goals. It provides opportunities for students with outstanding potential from various backgrounds to study in the UK and return to drive positive change in their communities.

Scholarship Benefits

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is funded jointly by the CSC and participating UK universities, covering a range of expenses to support scholars throughout their studies:

• Airfare: Round-trip flights from the scholar’s home country to the UK, funded by the CSC (dependent fares are not covered).
• Tuition Fees: Full coverage of tuition fees, arranged between the CSC and the UK university.
• Living Stipend: Monthly allowance of £1,378, or £1,690 for those studying in London (current rates), funded by the university.
• Warm Clothing Allowance: Provided by the university if needed.
• Thesis Grant: Support for thesis or dissertation preparation costs, funded by the CSC.
• Study Travel Grant: Covers study-related travel expenses within the UK or abroad, funded by the CSC.
• TB Test Contribution: Refund for mandatory tuberculosis test expenses required for a visa application, with receipts.
• Child Allowance: For scholars who are single parents, child allowance of £590 per month for the first child and £146 per month for each additional child (up to two), for children under 16 living with them in the UK.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a citizen or refugee of an eligible Commonwealth country and a permanent resident of that country.
• Be prepared to begin academic studies in the UK by September 2025.
• Hold at least a 2:1 honours undergraduate degree or a lower degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification by September 2025.
• Not have studied or worked in a high-income country for one or more academic years.
• Demonstrate financial need for the scholarship to study in the UK.
• Submit all required supporting documents in the correct format.

Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed based on the following factors:

1. Academic Merit
2. Quality of Research Proposal
3. Potential Impact on Development in the applicant’s home country

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is December 12, 2024.

This scholarship offers a valuable chance for students from Commonwealth nations to study in the UK, gain new skills, and return to their home countries equipped to drive development and positive change

How to Apply

• Applications for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for the 2025/26 academic year are now open.
  • The closing date for applications is Thursday 12 December at 16:00 GMT.
• The scholarships are for study in the UK beginning in September/October 2025.

For more details, visit Commonwealth scholarship website.