Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2027 in United Kingdom | Fully Funded — Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
A fully funded master’s place in the UK can feel out of reach for a student whose home country is still developing its economy, even with a strong academic record behind them.
About the Scholarship
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship exists specifically to close that gap. It is jointly funded by the UK government’s Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and a group of participating UK universities, which split both the cost and the selection responsibility for each award. Because the scheme is restricted to citizens of Commonwealth countries the OECD classifies as low or middle income, it reaches students who are genuinely unable to self-fund postgraduate study abroad, rather than competing with applicants who have other financial options. Each year the Commission publishes a shortlist of approved courses at partner universities, and applicants apply through the specific university and programme rather than through a single central form.
Scholarship Benefits
- Full tuition fees for an approved one-year master’s programme
- A living allowance paid monthly to cover accommodation and daily expenses
- Return economy airfare to and from the UK
- A thesis grant where the course requires a dissertation
- Additional grants for study-related travel within the UK where relevant
Eligibility Criteria
- Be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible low or middle income Commonwealth country
- Hold at least an upper second class (2:1) honours degree or equivalent
- Not have studied or worked for more than one year in a high income country
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
- Be available to start the course in the UK in the relevant academic year
- Commit to returning home within one month of completing the award
Fields of Study Covered
Eligible courses are set by the Commission and its university partners each cycle and generally cluster around development-relevant subjects such as public health, education, engineering, agriculture, governance and economic development, though the exact list of approved programmes changes from year to year.
Required Documents
- Completed Commonwealth Shared Scholarship application form for the chosen university
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Two academic or professional references
- A personal statement connecting the course to development needs at home
- Proof of citizenship or refugee status in an eligible country
- Evidence that the applicant could not otherwise fund UK study
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Check the current list of participating universities and their approved courses on the Commission’s website
- Choose a course that matches your academic background and career goals
- Apply directly to the host university, following its specific Shared Scholarship application process
- Submit transcripts, references and a personal statement by the university’s internal deadline
- Wait for the university to nominate candidates to the Commission for final approval
- Respond promptly if offered an award, since places are limited and time sensitive
Selection Process
Each partner university first shortlists its own strongest applicants against the published eligibility criteria, then forwards its nominations to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, which carries out a final check before confirming awards. Academic merit and genuine financial need are weighed together throughout.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Apply only to courses where you clearly meet the published entry requirements, since the university does its own shortlisting first
- Use your personal statement to connect your proposed course of study to a real development challenge in your home country
- Ask referees who can speak concretely to both your academic ability and your financial circumstances
- Apply as early as possible within the university’s own internal window, since places fill before the Commission’s overall deadline
- Look at the Commonwealth Masters Scholarship as a comparison if you are unsure which Commonwealth-funded route suits your situation
- Consider the Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship at Nottingham as a parallel option if your eligible country overlaps with both schemes
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship?
Citizens of Commonwealth countries classified as low or middle income, who hold a strong undergraduate degree and could not otherwise afford UK study.
Is this the same as the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship?
No, the Shared Scholarship is co-funded with specific partner universities and applied for directly through them, while the standard Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is funded fully by the UK government and applied for through a national nominating agency.
Does it cover PhD study?
No, the Shared Scholarship funds one-year taught or research master’s programmes only.
Can citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the UK apply?
No, applicants from these high income Commonwealth countries are not eligible under this particular scheme.
How many universities take part each year?
The number of participating universities and approved courses changes annually, so applicants should always check the current list before applying.
Do I apply through the Commission or the university?
Applications go directly to the host university’s own Shared Scholarship process, and the university then nominates its shortlisted candidates to the Commission.