Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme 2025-2026: Fully Funded Master’s Degrees for Developing Commonwealth Countries

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme at UK Universities 2025-2026

Provider: DFID/UK Universities
Degree Level: Masters Degree
Deadline: 12 December 2024 (annual)
Study Location: United Kingdom
Course Start: September 2025

Brief Description

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are designed for candidates from least developed and lower-middle-income Commonwealth countries. These scholarships support full-time Master’s study on selected courses and are jointly funded by UK universities. They do not cover undergraduate courses, PhD study, or pre-sessional English language teaching.

Host Institutions

• Participating UK Universities

Level/Field(s) of Study

• Eligible Courses for 2025: The scholarships are offered under six themes:
  • Access, Inclusion, and Opportunity
  • Promoting Global Prosperity
  • Science and Technology for Development
  • Strengthening Global Peace, Security, and Governance
  • Strengthening Health Systems and Capacity
  • Strengthening Resilience and Response to Crises

Number of Scholarships

• Not specified

Target Group

• Nationals of least developed and lower-middle-income Commonwealth countries, including:
  • Bangladesh, Cameroon, Eswatini, The Gambia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia.

Scholarship Value/Inclusions/Duration

Each scholarship covers:

• Approved tuition and examination fees
• Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of the award
• Stipend: £1,378 per month, or £1,690 per month for those studying at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels)
• Warm clothing allowance
• Thesis grant
• Study travel grant
• Excess baggage allowance

The scholarships are usually tenable for one year only.

Eligibility

To apply, candidates must:

• Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
• Be permanently resident in a developing Commonwealth country
• Be available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2025
• By September 2025, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard or a lower second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree)
• Not have studied or worked for one (academic) year or more in a developed country
• .Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
• Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format

Application Instructions

1. Apply to Study: Candidates must apply to study an eligible Master’s course at a UK university participating in the Shared Scholarship scheme. In addition to applying for the scholarship, admission to the course must be secured.
2. Check Specific Requirements: Each university has specific advice on when to apply, admission requirements, and rules for applying. Candidates should check with their chosen university.
3. Submit Applications: All applications must be made using the CSC’s online application system, alongside any other application required by the chosen university. Applications must be submitted by 16.00 (GMT) on 12 December 2024. Note that each university may have its own admission closing date.

For detailed information on how to apply, please visit the official scholarship website.