A fully funded master’s in the United Kingdom opens for applications on Tuesday 10 November 2026, and the window is short. The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28, run by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK and jointly funded with participating UK universities, close at 16:00 GMT on Tuesday 8 December 2026. That gives applicants just 28 days, so preparation needs to start now.
The scholarships support full time taught master’s study at participating UK universities, on approved courses with a clear development focus. Study begins in September or October 2027 and the award normally lasts 12 months. Candidates can apply for more than one course and more than one university, but they may only accept one Commonwealth Shared Scholarship offer. These awards are for master’s courses only, not for undergraduate or PhD study.
Each scholarship covers approved tuition fees in full, approved airfare from the scholar’s home country to the UK and back at the end of the award, and a stipend of £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month for scholars at universities in the London metropolitan area. Where applicable, the package also includes a warm clothing allowance, a thesis grant, a study travel grant, and a contribution towards a mandatory tuberculosis test where one is required for a visa application.
To be eligible, you must be a citizen of, or hold refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country and be permanently resident there. Eligible countries include Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Kenya, The Gambia, Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and many others listed on the official page. By September 2027 you must hold a first degree of at least upper second class honours standard, or a lower second class degree together with a relevant postgraduate qualification. You must not have studied or worked for one academic year or more in a high income country, and you must be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship. There is no age limit.
Applications are made through CSC Central, the Commission’s online system. You must also apply separately for admission to your chosen university course, and check that university’s own deadlines and requirements. The list of approved courses and participating universities for 2027 will be published in advance of the opening date, and the links currently on the official page relate to the 2026 programme. Your application must include proof of citizenship, full transcripts for all higher education qualifications, and references from at least two individuals in PDF format. Applications with missing documents by the closing date are considered ineligible.
Official link: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-shared-scholarships-applications/
If you want hands on help shortlisting courses, preparing your documents and strengthening your application before the window opens, follow Isaac Explains and book a session through the Book Consultation page on this website.
