Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027 (Fully Funded)
Incoming postgraduate students now have the chance to study in the United Kingdom through the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships. This scholarship is perfect for future researchers and innovators from low- and middle-income countries who need financial support to get an education abroad. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships offer international students great opportunities to succeed and achieve their academic ambitions in a country known for having an excellent educational system.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Coverage
This government fully funded scholarship for international students covers the following:
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Full tuition fees
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Thesis grant
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Living allowance of up to £1,652 per month
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Clothing allowance
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Study travel allowance
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Roundtrip airfare ticket
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Cost of mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test for visa application
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Up to £576.61 allowance per month for single parents with minor children living in the UK
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, you need to meet the following criteria:
- Citizens or residents of one of the eligible Commonwealth countries
- Able to start studies in the UK by the next academic year
- Unable to finance studies in the UK without this scholarship
- Able to provide all required documents in the suggested format
- Undergraduate or postgraduate degree holders with good academic background
- Not have studied or worked for more than a year in a high-income country
For detailed requirements, refer to the official eligibility page .
Eligible degree levels
Eligible programmes
Eligible nationalities
Important Notice
Disclaimer
Universities may have varying requirements and procedures when applying for this scholarship. It is best to visit the university website first to check its application instructions.
How to Apply
In this section, we'll provide a clear general overview of requirements and steps to guide you through the application process for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships.
To apply for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, please follow these steps:
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Apply first for admission to one of the eligible master's programs at a participating UK university to be considered for the award.
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Check if your chosen university has specific rules for applying for the scholarship.
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After receiving the admission offer, start preparing the needed documents for the scholarship application.
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Submit your application using the Commonwealth Commission's online application system.
Important Note: The application procedures and required documents for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships may vary depending on your degree, program, nationality and other factors. For specific details regarding the requirements, kindly visit the official website of Commonwealth Shared Scholarships.
Application Deadlines
Now that you’re familiar with the application procedure, it’s time to know the application dates! Knowing the dates for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships will help you prepare early and it will also give you the time you need to put together a competitive application.
Here are the application deadlines for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships:
| Degree | Application deadline |
|---|---|
| Master's | Opens: |
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Eligible Institutions
The eligible institutions for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are listed below:
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R
S
U
- University College London
- University of Aberdeen
- University of Bath
- University of Birmingham
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
- University of Chester
- University of Derby
- University of East Anglia
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Exeter
- University of Glasgow
- University of Hull
- University of Kent
- University of Leeds
- University of Liverpool
- University of Nottingham
- University of Oxford
- University of Reading
- University of Southampton
- University of St Andrews
- University of Stirling
- University of Strathclyde
- University of Sussex
- University of Warwick
- University of Wolverhampton
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Recipients
Meet students who have received Commonwealth Shared Scholarships and learn how they secured their award.
Recipients’ Degree Studies and Backgrounds
The published stories describe 29 recipients’ degree studies supported by Commonwealth Shared Scholarships.
Degree Studies Reported by Recipients
| Degree level | Stories | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s | 29 | Analytical Science and Instrumentation; Development Studies; Education, International Development, and Social Justice; Education, Policy and International Development; Environment and Development; Environmental Change and Management; Environmental Engineering; Food Science; GIS; Gender and International Development; Global Crime, Justice and Security; Global Development and Environment; Global Health Policy; Human Trafficking, Modern Slavery, Migration and Organised Crime; International Law and Sustainable Development; International Relations; Local Economic Development; MSc Global Crime, Justice and Security; Management in a Global Service Economy; Management of Innovation; Prosperity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Public Health Nutrition; Public Policy; Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine; Sustainable Aquaculture; Sustainable Chemical Engineering; Water and Environmental Engineering; Wildlife Conservation |
Nationalities Reported in the Stories
| Nationalities | Stories per nationality |
|---|---|
| Pakistani | 13 |
| Indian | 6 |
| Nigerian | 4 |
| Ghanaian | 3 |
| Bangladeshi | 2 |
| Kenyan | 1 |
Funding Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Reported coverage |
|---|---|
| Saadia Sabir — Master’s in Development Studies — London School of Economics and Political Science | Reported an award of approximately £50,000, covering tuition, return airfare, a thesis grant, a warm-clothing allowance and London living expenses. |
| Vaibhav Sonone (2023–2024) — MSc Environment and Development — University of Leeds | Reported approximately £50,000 covering full tuition, living expenses, travel and academic costs. |
| Iqra Abid — MA Education, International Development, and Social Justice — St Mary’s University, Twickenham | Reported a London living stipend of approximately £1,650 per month. |
| Christy Babayo — MSc Food Science — University of Reading | Reported an award of approximately £55,000 for the one-year taught master’s. |
| Fareha Siddiqui — Master’s in GIS — University of Leicester | Reported full tuition, return airfare, a monthly stipend for accommodation and living expenses, and a research allowance. |
Examples of Featured Recipients’ Application Backgrounds
| Recipient and degree/program | Scholarship/application route | Reported background and preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Guljana Mahboob — MA Gender and International Development — University of Warwick | Commonwealth Shared Scholarship | Completed a Social Sciences bachelor’s at Bahria University with CGPA 3.9, Summa Cum Laude honours and four years on the Dean’s Honor List. Reported research publications and experience with UNDP and Save the Children. |
| Alfred Navokhi Apaji — Master’s in Environmental Engineering — Newcastle University | Commonwealth Shared Scholarship | Industrial Chemistry graduate with First-Class Honours; taught chemistry during national service and led its Environmental Conservation Club. Improved essays through webinars and contact with scholars after earlier rejections. |
| Lt Cdr Bidisha Pandey — MSc Prosperity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship — University College London | Commonwealth Shared Scholarship | Completed Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering in 2011 and naval training, then served for a decade in the Indian Navy. Connected leadership and cross-functional experience to the proposed career transition. |
| Oisereme Abulu — MSc Sustainable Aquaculture — University of Stirling | Commonwealth Shared Scholarship | First-Class Fisheries and Aquaculture graduate, 4.59/5. Reported fish-nutrition, health and management experience and final-year research on juvenile fish growth, survival and blood parameters. |
| Anum Fatima — MSc Management of Innovation — Goldsmiths, University of London | Commonwealth Shared Scholarship | Applied without full-time work experience, drawing on volunteering, academic achievements and community leadership. Developed a mini research proposal and matched innovation and sustainability interests to the Promoting Global Prosperity theme. |
The language examples below concern the recipients’ university or scholarship applications; accepted school qualifications and English-medium evidence refer to the particular host admission described.
How Recipients Met Language Requirements
| Language requirement route | Stories / total funded degree-study stories | Recipients and examples |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 14/29 | 6.5 (Vaibhav Sonone); 7.0 (Dr. Priyanka Sheoran, Fareha Siddiqui, Md Yeasir Yunus); 7.5 (Guljana Mahboob); 8.5 (Era Robbani, Fatima Khan); IELTS taken for the application (Aarti Rajput, Farwa Burny, and 5 others). |
| TOEFL | 1/29 | TOEFL taken for the application (Charles Agyei). |
| English-medium education accepted | 2/29 | English-medium education accepted (Alfred Navokhi Apaji, Benjamin). |
| School English qualification accepted | 1/29 | WAEC English accepted (Oisereme Abulu). |
| English proficiency test | 1/29 | English proficiency test taken for the application (Anum Shahid). |
Application Timelines Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Application or scholarship route | Reported application timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Alfred Navokhi Apaji — Master’s in Environmental Engineering — Newcastle University | Commonwealth Shared Scholarship | Began applying after national service in 2022 and received rejections. Improved essays through webinars and scholar networks, then applied again in 2023 and received Commonwealth Shared and Bristol Think Big offers. |
| Lt Cdr Bidisha Pandey — MSc Prosperity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship — University College London | Commonwealth Shared Scholarship and university admission | Began researching suitable programmes nearly two years before applying, contacted previous scholars and developed essays around the programme and her professional experience. |
| Era Robbani — MSc Global Crime, Justice and Security — University of Edinburgh | Commonwealth Shared Scholarship | Spent almost a year reflecting on the link between academic goals, prior research in Bangladesh and future work, then revised the application repeatedly so its sections supported the same specific direction. |
Preparation Lessons Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Reported preparation |
|---|---|
| Vaibhav Sonone (2023–2024) — MSc Environment and Development — University of Leeds | Worked with two mentors on the Commonwealth Shared application and developed four or five improved drafts of each essay, connecting them to development impact and CSC themes. |
| Benjamin — Master’s in Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine — University of Chester | Applied to the university before completing the Commonwealth Commission application. Described writing about 12 short essays on development and career plans, using past scholars’ online resources. |
| Saadia Sabir — Master’s in Development Studies — London School of Economics and Political Science | Created a deadline schedule and devoted two or three hours each evening after work to test preparation or personal statements, while seeking mentor feedback and securing references. |
What Recipients Pursued After Their Scholarship-Funded Studies
| Recipient | Scholarship-funded degree/program | Reported outcome or current status |
|---|---|---|
| Lt Cdr Bidisha Pandey | MSc Prosperity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship — University College London | Current role: became an Austrade director soon after graduation. |
| Farwa Burny | MA Public Policy — University of Reading | Current role: social-policy research and evaluation in Canada, covering social protection, nutrition, education and early childhood development. |
| Dr. Priyanka Sheoran | Master’s in Wildlife Conservation — University of Chester | Current role: wildlife veterinarian in India, with NGO collaborations and work ranging from field veterinary practice to national project management. |
| Anum Fatima | MSc Management of Innovation — Goldsmiths, University of London | Current role: Associate in Policy Advisory at CERP in Pakistan, working on monitoring and evaluation, data analysis and implementation. |
| Alfred Navokhi Apaji | Master’s in Environmental Engineering — Newcastle University | Ongoing further study: reported being a rising second-year PhD student in the United States after completing the master’s. |
| Benjamin | Master’s in Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine — University of Chester | Funded offers and future plan: received CRUK and BBSRC DTP PhD studentship offers and planned to begin cancer research on lipid metabolism and glioblastoma in summer 2026. |
| Duke Debrah Afrane | MSc Management in a Global Service Economy — University of Buckingham | Completed subsequent stages: returned to Ghana for two years as a freelance management consultant, pursued a funded PhD at Technological University Dublin and later worked as an Assistant Lecturer at Maynooth University. |
Other Offers in Featured Applicants’ Journeys
| Recipient | Reported alternative | Decision described in the story |
|---|---|---|
| Saadia Sabir — Master’s in Development Studies — London School of Economics and Political Science | University of South Florida master’s scholarship and teaching assistantship: 80% tuition waiver, in-state rates on the remainder, $2,750 per semester and health insurance. Also received Aga Khan Foundation support on a 50% grant and 50% loan basis. | Withdrew from both opportunities after receiving the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship. |
| Anum Fatima — MSc Management of Innovation — Goldsmiths, University of London | 50% merit scholarship from University of Rochester and 50% Academic Excellence Scholarship from University of Liverpool. | Pursued the Commonwealth Shared-funded master’s at Goldsmiths, University of London. |
| Alfred Navokhi Apaji — Master’s in Environmental Engineering — Newcastle University | Think Big Scholarship from University of Bristol. | Chose Commonwealth Shared because it provided full funding, including visa and air tickets. |
| Vaibhav Sonone (2023–2024) — MSc Environment and Development — University of Leeds | Chevening Scholarships offer covering tuition and living expenses. | Chose Commonwealth Shared for its alignment with sustainable development, climate adaptation and work with marginalised and Indigenous communities. |
| Fatima Khan — MSc Education, Policy and International Development — University of Bristol | Admission offers from University College London, University of Glasgow, King’s College London and University of Nottingham. | Bristol was her first choice because of its programme and research fit. The UCL and Glasgow Commonwealth Shared outcomes were reserve-list places. |
| Oisereme Abulu — MSc Sustainable Aquaculture — University of Stirling | Partial Erasmus ACES-STAR Scholarship offer in the previous year. | Could not accept that earlier offer because it did not cover the programme’s full cost; later pursued Commonwealth Shared-funded study. |
| Charles Agyei — MSc Environment and Development — London School of Economics and Political Science | African Real Estate Scholarship at University of Reading, worth £29,500. | Reported the alternative alongside the Commonwealth Shared-funded LSE programme. |
Applicants Who Declined This Scholarship
| Applicant and intended degree/program | Offer from Commonwealth Shared Scholarships | Alternative chosen | Reason described in the story |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Abdul Razzaque Nohri — Master’s applicant in public health | Fully funded Commonwealth Shared Scholarship offer. | Chevening Scholarships for MSc Public and Environmental Health Sciences at University of Birmingham. | Closer alignment with leadership goals, a public-health career and long-term contribution to Pakistan. |
| Heman Das — MSc Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology — University of Strathclyde | Commonwealth Shared Scholarship selection. | Chevening Scholarships for MSc Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at London School of Economics and Political Science. | Preferred the programme and London networking opportunities. |
| Williamkery Gaddam — MPhil applicant — University of Cambridge | Commonwealth Shared Scholarship offer, described as unutilised. | Chose a Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship at University College London; the story describes the programme as not yet begun. | N/A |
What Commonwealth Shared Scholars Say
Advice and reflections from scholars about the Commonwealth Shared application process and programme.
"I was awarded the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship by the Commonwealth Commission and the University of Leicester, which covered my full tuition fee, round-trip airfare, a monthly stipend for accommodation and living expenses, and a research allowance."
"The scholarship, offered by the UK universities and funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, covered my outbound ticket fare, visa fee, my tuition fees, and provided a monthly stipend to support living expenses."
"Just don't give up. Keep applying, and don’t hesitate to reach out to alumni for feedback on your essays. Focus on programs that align with your degree or skillset."
"Spend ample time in researching scholarships, preparing your application, and refining your essays. Do not get disappointed if you cannot make it on your first attempt."
"This opportunity allowed me to deepen my expertise in innovation and policy while engaging with a diverse academic community committed to global development."
"This interdisciplinary program was a turning point in my academic journey, as it exposed me to innovative frameworks and practical tools that are essential for tackling complex development challenges."
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, eligibility, funding, and applications.
Yes. The award is fully funded and lists full tuition fees, a thesis grant, living allowance, clothing allowance, study travel allowance, roundtrip airfare, the cost of the mandatory TB test for the visa application, and additional support for some single parents. According to Fareha Siddiqui, a Commonwealth Shared Scholar at the University of Leicester, the scholarship “covered my full tuition fee, round-trip airfare, a monthly stipend for accommodation and living expenses, and a research allowance.”
It is aimed at applicants from eligible Commonwealth countries who need financial support for full-time master’s study in the UK and who can use the degree to contribute to development back home. The scholarship’s eligibility also includes citizenship or residency in an eligible Commonwealth country, the ability to start in the next academic year, financial need, and a strong academic background. As Anum Shahid put it, the scholarship is for “students from developing countries who are willing to contribute to the development of their home countries.”
No. This scholarship is not for every UK master’s program. It is only available for approved courses at participating universities. The Global Scholarships page lists eligible institutions, and the CSC publishes the approved course list for each cycle. Rupsa Chakraborty, a Commonwealth Shared Scholar at LSE, explained that it is “only available for specific courses at select UK universities.”
Not necessarily. The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship does not require full-time work experience as a blanket requirement. In practice, recipients have stood out through a mix of academics, leadership, volunteering, and a strong development-focused fit. For example, Anum Fatima said she highlighted her “voluntary engagements, academic achievements, and leadership in community-based initiatives.”
Start by checking the approved courses and participating universities, then read your chosen university’s admissions and scholarship instructions carefully. Applicants should first apply for admission to an eligible master’s program, check university-specific rules, and then submit the scholarship application through the Commonwealth Commission’s online system. Zohaib Safdar said he relied on “Official university websites” and that he “cross-checked eligibility criteria, deadlines, and documentation requirements” before applying.
Possibly, but this depends on the university and course. The requirements can vary by institution. In recipient stories, several scholars met university language requirements through IELTS. Fareha Siddiqui wrote, “I took the IELTS and scored 7.0,” while Guljana Mahboob said she scored “7.5 overall.”
A strong application usually shows clear academic fit, a convincing development purpose, and essays that connect your background to your future goals. Muhammad Ashar said his selection likely reflected “strong academic standing, relevant research and work experience, and well-crafted essays.” Saadia Sabir also said she focused on “telling my story with honesty and authenticity.”
Be specific, reflective, and authentic. Recipients repeatedly stress that your essays should sound like you, not like a template. Guljana Mahboob warned that “too many suggestions can dilute your voice,” which is a useful reminder to get feedback without losing your own perspective.
Usually yes, if you have several strong-fit options. The CSC allows candidates to apply for more than one course and more than one university, although you can only accept one Commonwealth Shared Scholarship offer. Looking back on her process, Anum Fatima said that “applying to multiple eligible programs would have increased my chances.”
There are many degrees that are open to international students right now — find yours.
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