Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28: Fully Funded

Last updated: November 2, 2026

Applications open: November 10, 2026

Deadline: December 8, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. GMT

Study destination: United Kingdom

Study level: One-year taught Master’s

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28 will open for applications on November 10, 2026, offering students from eligible Commonwealth countries an opportunity to study for a fully funded master’s degree in the United Kingdom.

The programme is jointly funded by the UK Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and participating universities. It covers approved tuition fees, return airfare, a monthly living allowance and selected study-related expenses.

For the upcoming academic year, the CSC expects to allocate approximately 180 scholarships, although the final number of awards will depend on the approved university allocations.

Students from countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Sri Lanka are among those eligible to apply.

However, there is an important condition that many scholarship announcements overlook.

You cannot use a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship to study any master’s programme at any UK university.

The funding is restricted to selected one-year courses approved by the CSC for the 2027/28 academic year.

Applicants must also complete the CSC scholarship application and follow the chosen university’s separate admissions process.

This guide explains how to identify eligible courses, check academic requirements, prepare the required documents and apply before the official deadline.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28: Quick Overview

Detail	Official information
Scholarship	Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Country	United Kingdom
Administrator	Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
Funding	UK FCDO and participating universities
Academic year	2027/28
Study level	Taught Master’s
Study duration	Normally 12 months
Funding	Fully funded
Planned scholarships	Approximately 180
Monthly stipend	£1,712
London monthly stipend	£2,000
Tuition fees	Fully covered
Airfare	Approved return travel
Applications open	November 10, 2026
Application deadline	December 8, 2026
Closing time	16:00 GMT
University course list	2027/28 list expected in November 2026
Application platform	CSC Central
Application fee	No CSC scholarship application fee
Course commencement	September/October 2027

The stipend figures are the rates currently published by the CSC and may be revised before the scholarship begins.

Official website: Commonwealth Shared Scholarships — CSC

Is the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2027/28 Open?

As of November 2, 2026, the application period has been announced but has not opened yet.

The official dates are:

Opening: Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
Closing: Tuesday, December 8, 2026.
Closing time: 4:00 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Study begins: September or October 2027.

Applications must be submitted through the CSC’s designated online application system.

The Commission does not accept scholarship applications or supporting documents by ordinary email or post.

There is another important timing issue: universities may establish their own admission deadlines.

Meeting the December 8 scholarship deadline does not excuse applicants from completing the admissions process required by their selected UK institution.

What Is the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship?

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is a UK government-supported master’s funding programme for students from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries.

It is intended for academically capable applicants who would not otherwise be able to afford postgraduate education in the United Kingdom.

The programme focuses on studies that could contribute to development in the applicant’s home country.

Unlike some scholarships that support a wide range of courses, Shared Scholarships are attached to selected master’s programmes.

UK universities submit proposed courses to the CSC, which determines which are approved for the scholarship.

Participating universities then recruit and nominate applicants, and the CSC confirms eligibility and award arrangements.

The programme is not designed to finance PhD research, undergraduate degrees or an unrestricted choice of UK master’s programmes.

What Does the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Cover?

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship provides comprehensive funding for eligible students.

1. Full tuition fees

Approved tuition fees are covered through the arrangement between the CSC and participating universities.

Selected scholars are not personally responsible for paying the approved tuition fees covered by their award.

2. Monthly living allowance

The CSC currently publishes the following rates:

Study location	Monthly stipend
Universities outside the London metropolitan area	£1,712
Universities within the London metropolitan area	£2,000

The allowance contributes to everyday expenses while studying in the UK.

It is paid through the participating university under the scholarship arrangements.

These are currently published rates, not guaranteed unchanged figures for September 2027.

3. Return airfare

The scholarship covers approved airfare from the scholar’s home country to the UK and return travel at the end of the award.

The CSC does not reimburse journeys undertaken before the scholarship has been officially confirmed.

Airfare for dependants is not included in the standard travel benefit.

4. Warm clothing allowance

An additional allowance may be provided where applicable.

5. Dissertation or thesis grant

Scholars may receive assistance with the costs of preparing their master’s dissertation or thesis, where the approved conditions allow it.

A study travel grant may be available for approved academic travel within the UK or overseas.

The exact arrangements depend on the scholarship conditions.

Is accommodation provided separately?

The scholarship’s monthly living allowance is designed to help scholars meet living costs, including accommodation.

Applicants should not assume that every participating university automatically provides a free private room or a separate housing grant in addition to the published stipend.

Can you bring family members?

Applicants considering travelling with dependants should review the university’s support and UK visa arrangements.

The scholarship does not automatically provide airfare and full living support for family members.

Funding source: Official Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Benefits

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28 Eligibility Criteria

The programme sets specific nationality, academic, residency and financial requirements.

Nationality and residency

Applicants must be citizens of, or hold the required refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country.

They must also be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.

Being a citizen of a Commonwealth country alone does not establish eligibility unless that country is included in the Shared Scholarship list.

Academic qualifications

By September 2027, candidates must hold either:

A first degree equivalent to at least a UK upper-second-class honours degree (2:1); or
A lower-second-class degree together with a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a master’s degree.

Universities determine how overseas qualifications compare with UK academic requirements.

There is no single CSC percentage or CGPA conversion that automatically guarantees eligibility for every country.

Financial need

The programme is intended for students who cannot afford to study in the UK without scholarship assistance.

Applicants should be prepared to explain their financial circumstances accurately.

A participating university may seek additional evidence when assessing financial need.

Previous study or employment abroad

Applicants must not have spent one academic year or more studying or working in a high-income country under the CSC’s applicable eligibility rules.

This requirement deserves particular attention from students with previous international education or employment.

The CSC clarifies that distance learning at a university in a high-income country while remaining resident in the home country is permitted.

Applicants must disclose the relevant circumstances accurately.

Study commencement

Candidates must be available to begin their UK master’s degree in September or October 2027.

Return-home commitment

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are designed to support development in eligible home countries.

Recipients are generally required to return home after completing the scholarship.

The programme is not intended as a route to remain in the UK under the Graduate visa after the award.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Eligible Countries

The official 2027/28 programme information includes the following eligible countries and territories:

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 and Zambia.

Eligibility remains subject to the full programme criteria.

If your country is not included in this list, investigate other CSC funding programmes or UK university scholarships.

Official eligible-country list and requirements

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship for Pakistani Students 2027/28

Pakistani students are eligible to apply for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, provided they meet the programme’s conditions.

This opportunity is particularly relevant to bachelor’s graduates who want to complete a one-year taught master’s degree in the UK.

Do Pakistani students apply through HEC?

This is one of the most important distinctions in the application process.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships do not use the same national nomination process as the standard HEC-nominated Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship.

For the Shared Scholarship:

Applicants apply through CSC Central.
They choose an approved master’s programme at a participating UK university.
The university conducts its scholarship recruitment and selection.
The university nominates selected candidates to the CSC.

In contrast, Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission manages the national nomination stage for the separate Commonwealth Master’s and PhD Scholarship programmes.

Those programmes had a different 2027/28 application timetable, with an October 20, 2026 deadline.

Do not confuse the HEC deadline with the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship deadline of December 8, 2026.

Similarly, the HEC HAT-based nomination rules for the separate Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship should not automatically be applied to Shared Scholarship applicants.

What CGPA is required for Pakistani students?

The CSC specifies the equivalent of a UK 2:1 degree or an eligible alternative involving a postgraduate qualification.

It does not publish one universal Pakistani CGPA cutoff for the Shared Scholarship.

The selected university will assess your academic qualification according to its equivalency standards.

If you are unsure whether your degree meets the requirement, contact the university’s admissions team with your degree classification and grading scale.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027 Participating Universities and Courses

The programme is restricted to universities and courses approved for the relevant intake.

As of November 2, 2026, the CSC has not yet published the final approved 2027/28 course list on its public Shared Scholarship page.

The Commission states that the list will be released in November, before candidate applications open.

This matters because links to the previous year’s university and course lists remain available on the official website.

Those historical lists do not guarantee that the same master’s programmes will receive funding for 2027/28.

How can you find an eligible master’s programme?

When the updated course list is published:

Open the official CSC Shared Scholarship page.
Select the link for approved 2027/28 courses.
Identify a master’s course relevant to your academic background and professional goals.
Open the participating university’s official course page.
Confirm the course’s entry requirements and English-language conditions.
Follow the university’s separate admission instructions.

Do not rely on a general university scholarship page to establish eligibility.

A university may participate in other Commonwealth scholarship programmes without offering your chosen course under the Shared Scholarship scheme.

Can you choose more than one university?

Yes.

The CSC permits applicants to apply for more than one approved course and to more than one participating university.

However, you may accept only one Commonwealth Shared Scholarship offer.

Each university may have its own admission process and requirements.

Check the official CSC scholarship programme page

How to Apply for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28

The application process involves both CSC Central and the participating university.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Read the current national eligibility conditions.

Confirm that your nationality, residence, academic background and financial circumstances meet the requirements.

Pay particular attention to the high-income-country previous-study rule.

Step 2: Identify an approved course

Wait for the official 2027/28 course list and select a master’s programme approved for Shared Scholarship funding.

Check the course’s academic content and development relevance.

Step 3: Review the university’s admission instructions

Determine whether the university requires a separate online admission form, supporting documents or an application fee.

The CSC scholarship application is free, but university-specific admission arrangements may differ.

Step 4: Create your CSC Central application

From November 10, 2026, use the official application route provided on the CSC Shared Scholarship page.

CSC Central uses two-factor authentication.

Applicants need access to an appropriate second authentication method, such as a smartphone or another email account.

Step 5: Complete the scholarship form

Provide accurate academic and personal information.

The application also asks about study plans, career goals, development impact and relevant activities.

Prepare your substantive answers before entering them into the application system.

Step 6: Upload your documents

Submit the required supporting documents in the prescribed format.

The CSC does not accept missing documents by ordinary email after submission.

Step 7: Submit before December 8, 2026

The official closing time is 16:00 GMT.

Submit well before the deadline.

The CSC warns that the application system can become busy close to the closing date.

Step 8: Complete your university admission requirements

Submit the relevant university application and follow its admission process.

If the university has its own deadline, you must satisfy that deadline as well.

You should not assume that submitting the CSC scholarship form automatically creates a complete university admission application.

Step 9: Monitor university and CSC communications

Participating universities assess applications and select candidates to nominate.

The CSC subsequently checks nominated candidates against its eligibility and award requirements.

A nomination or university admission offer is not necessarily the same as a finalized scholarship award.

Documents Required for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28

The official CSC instructions identify several essential supporting documents.

Document	Requirement
Passport or national identity document	Valid proof of nationality or relevant status
University transcripts	Full records for higher education qualifications
Transcripts for ongoing degrees	Required if currently studying
Certified translations	Required when transcripts are not in English
Academic or professional references	At least two uploaded references
Additional information	As requested in CSC Central
University admission documents	According to the selected institution

References: Two uploads or three referees?

This is an easily missed detail.

The published CSC guidance requires applicants to upload at least two completed references.

It also states that the application form asks for the names and positions of three referees, including a current employer where applicable.

Applicants should distinguish the number of referee contacts requested in the form from the minimum number of signed references that must be uploaded.

The references must meet the official format requirements.

For example, the CSC specifies signed PDF references on institutional letterhead or an email showing the sender’s details.

Check the live 2027/28 form for any changes.

Can you apply if your bachelor’s degree is not yet completed?

Potentially, yes.

The CSC’s general guidance allows students completing their first undergraduate degree to apply using transcripts available to date.

However, the required qualification must be completed by the specified date before the scholarship begins.

The university may impose additional admission conditions.

Do you need a university admission letter before applying?

Not necessarily.

The CSC’s general FAQ confirms that a university offer letter is not required at the initial scholarship-application stage for Commonwealth Shared Master’s Scholarships.

However, candidates must also apply for and ultimately secure admission to the approved course.

Some universities may have additional selection procedures or their own timing requirements.

Do not postpone your university admission application merely because an offer letter is not required for the CSC submission.

Is IELTS Required for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships?

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission does not require an IELTS certificate simply to submit a scholarship application.

However, UK universities set their own English-language admission requirements.

Depending on the institution and programme, applicants may need IELTS, another approved English test or acceptable evidence of previous English-medium education.

The Commission does not guarantee that every participating master’s course will accept a Medium of Instruction certificate.

The accurate rule is that the CSC application itself does not require IELTS, but university admission may.

Applicants should confirm English eligibility with their chosen university before applying.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Selection Criteria

The programme is competitive and considers more than academic results.

The CSC identifies important factors including:

Academic merit.
The quality of the proposed study plan.
The potential impact of the applicant’s education on development in their home country.

Universities also assess applicants according to their course requirements and recruitment procedures.

What is development impact?

A development-impact statement explains how your proposed master’s degree could help address an important problem in your country.

A strong statement connects your previous experience, chosen degree and intended contribution.

For example, a public health applicant might explain how training in health policy could support better planning of local healthcare services.

A student applying for an MSc related to climate resilience could identify a specific environmental challenge and explain how the course would improve their ability to contribute.

These are illustrations of possible approaches, not model answers to copy into a scholarship form.

Your statement should be based on your actual experience and realistic goals.

The six CSC development themes

Commonwealth Scholarships align with six development themes:

Science and technology for development.
Improving population health, health systems and capacity.
Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
Strengthening peace, security and governance.
Strengthening resilience and response to crises.
Access, inclusion and opportunity.

Applicants should choose a programme that aligns credibly with the development needs they want to address.

Official CSC Development Themes

How to Prepare a Strong Development Impact Statement

The CSC’s published application guidance divides development impact into four main areas.

Explain the problem

Identify a genuine development issue relevant to your community, sector or country.

Avoid describing an entire national problem without explaining the specific aspect you intend to address.

Explain how the master’s degree helps

Identify relevant knowledge, technical skills or professional capabilities you expect to acquire.

Connect them with modules or learning opportunities in the approved programme.

Describe what you intend to do afterward

Explain how you could apply your new skills after returning home.

Be specific about the type of work, institution or initiative involved.

Explain how progress could be measured

Consider realistic ways to evaluate your intended contribution.

Depending on the field, this might involve improvements in service delivery, implementation of a programme, professional training or measurable benefits to a community.

The CSC also asks applicants about short- and long-term career plans, leadership and voluntary activities.

Your answers should be consistent with your actual achievements.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship vs Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship

These programmes are related, but their application processes differ.

Feature	Commonwealth Shared Scholarship	Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
Degree	Selected one-year taught master’s	Eligible master’s study
Course selection	Restricted CSC-approved Shared courses	Governed by separate programme arrangements
Initial selection	Participating UK university	Approved nominating agency
Pakistan HEC nomination	Not the standard Shared route	Required under Pakistan’s HEC route
Application deadline for 2027/28	December 8, 2026	October 20, 2026
Funding	Full approved scholarship package	Full approved scholarship package
Application platform	CSC Central	CSC Central plus relevant nomination process

For Pakistani applicants, this distinction is particularly important.

A student who missed the October 20 HEC-nominated Commonwealth Master’s deadline should not assume that the later Shared Scholarship application is merely an extension of the same competition.

They are separate opportunities with different recruitment procedures.

When Will Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2027 Results Be Announced?

The CSC has not published one guaranteed final notification date for every 2027/28 Shared Scholarship applicant on its current programme page.

Participating universities conduct the first selection stage and nominate candidates.

The CSC then checks and confirms the nominated applicants.

The selection and notification schedules may differ across universities.

How will you know if you have been selected?

Monitor the email address registered with CSC Central and your university application account.

Respond to any additional document or admissions requests.

Do not assume that a general university admission offer means you have received Commonwealth Shared Scholarship funding.

What if you are nominated but have not received a final award?

A nomination is an important stage, but the CSC still needs to confirm eligibility and scholarship arrangements.

Wait for the formal award communication before assuming the scholarship is final.

What happens after selection?

Successful applicants must satisfy the conditions of their university admission and scholarship offer.

They must also follow the applicable visa, arrival and registration procedures.

The scholarship normally begins with the approved UK master’s programme in September or October 2027.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

The most serious mistakes usually involve misunderstanding the application process rather than simply writing a weak personal statement.

For example, a candidate may select a UK university from the previous year’s scholarship list without checking whether the intended course is approved for 2027/28.

Another applicant may complete CSC Central but forget the university admission process.

Other common issues include incomplete transcripts, references that do not meet the official submission rules, confusing Commonwealth Shared Scholarships with the HEC-nominated programme, or assuming that CSC’s IELTS policy overrides university requirements.

The safest approach is to verify each step using the current official instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2027/28 open?

Applications open on November 10, 2026. As of November 2, the application window has not yet opened.

What is the deadline?

December 8, 2026, at 16:00 GMT.

Is it fully funded?

Yes. It covers approved tuition, return airfare, a monthly stipend and specified additional allowances.

What is the monthly stipend?

The currently published rates are £1,712 per month outside London and £2,000 per month for universities in the London metropolitan area. Rates may be revised for the 2027/28 award.

How many scholarships are available?

The CSC expects approximately 180 new awards for 2027/28. This is a planning estimate, not a final guaranteed allocation.

Can Pakistani students apply?

Yes, if they satisfy nationality, residence, academic, financial and other eligibility requirements.

Do Pakistani applicants need HEC nomination?

Not for the standard Commonwealth Shared Scholarship route. Participating UK universities recruit and nominate Shared Scholarship candidates.

Is HAT required?

The HEC HAT requirements for Pakistan’s separate nationally nominated Commonwealth Master’s and PhD programmes should not automatically be applied to the Shared Scholarship programme.

Is IELTS mandatory?

Not for the CSC scholarship application itself. However, the chosen UK university may require English-language evidence.

Is work experience compulsory?

The CSC does not impose a universal employment-experience requirement for all Commonwealth Shared Scholarship applicants, although universities may establish additional course-specific conditions.

Can I apply with a 2:2 bachelor’s degree?

Potentially, if you also hold the relevant postgraduate qualification required by the CSC and satisfy the university’s admission rules.

Can I apply while completing my bachelor’s degree?

Potentially, provided you submit the available academic transcripts and complete the required qualification before the programme begins.

Is a UK university admission offer required at the initial CSC application stage?

The CSC does not require an offer letter at the initial stage. However, you must separately pursue and ultimately secure admission to the approved master’s course.

Can I apply for more than one university?

Yes, you may apply to multiple approved courses and universities, but you can accept only one Shared Scholarship award.

Is there an age limit?

The CSC does not publish a general age limit for these applications.

Can I apply for a PhD?

No. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are for eligible taught master’s courses only.

Can I remain in the UK under the Graduate visa afterward?

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship recipients are generally required to return to their home country after their award and are not eligible for the Graduate visa route under the CSC’s scholarship conditions.

Is there an application fee?

The CSC does not charge for scholarship applications submitted through its official application system. Check the university’s separate admissions arrangements for possible fees.

Final Advice for 2027/28 Applicants

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships offer a valuable opportunity for eligible students who want to complete a fully funded one-year master’s degree in the UK.

The programme is especially relevant to applicants who can demonstrate strong academic preparation, genuine financial need and a clear plan to contribute to development in their home country.

For the 2027/28 competition, applications begin on November 10, 2026, and close on December 8, 2026.

The most important step before applying is to identify a course officially approved for Commonwealth Shared Scholarship funding in 2027/28.

After that, follow both the CSC scholarship process and the university’s admission requirements.

Candidates should prepare their transcripts, references and development-impact responses before the application window opens.

You can also explore master’s scholarships, fully funded scholarships and all available scholarship opportunities on Scholarships Central.

Apply only through the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission system and your chosen university.

Official Sources

Editorial verification: November 2, 2026. The application dates and currently published financial benefits come from the CSC’s official programme information. The 2027/28 approved-course list and final award allocations are subject to the CSC’s November announcement. Applicants should review the current official form for any changes to document or selection requirements.