Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Scheme

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Scheme is a prominent joint initiative between the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK and various UK universities. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) as part of the British aid program, the scheme aims to support talented Master's students from developing Commonwealth countries. The core purpose is to enable individuals of excellent academic caliber, who would otherwise be unable to afford study in the United Kingdom, to pursue postgraduate education in development-related fields.

These prestigious scholarships are designed to foster global prosperity and sustainable development by empowering future leaders and innovators. Scholars gain access to world-class education at leading UK universities, developing knowledge and skills critical to the economic, social, and technological advancement of their home countries. The scheme embodies the UK's enduring commitment to the Commonwealth, attracting outstanding talent and promoting international partnerships and collaboration.

Eligibility for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Scheme is stringent and designed to target individuals who can make a significant developmental impact.

• Nationality and Residency: Applicants must be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person. They must also be permanently and continually resident in an eligible Commonwealth country. Angola is an eligible Commonwealth country. Eligible countries are those classified as low and middle-income by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list.
• Academic Level: The scholarship is exclusively for full-time, one-year taught Master's degree programs. Applicants must hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard by September of the award year. Alternatively, a lower second-class (2:2) degree may be accepted if accompanied by a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master's degree. Work experience cannot be accepted in lieu of the minimum academic qualification.
• Previous Study/Work: Candidates must not have studied or worked for one academic year or more in a high-income country (as classified by the DAC list of ODA recipients).
• Financial Need: Applicants must certify that neither they nor their families would be able to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
• Availability: Scholars must be available to commence their academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year, typically in September/October.
• English Language Requirements: Applicants must be sufficiently fluent in written and oral English to successfully pursue their proposed course of study and meet the specific English language proficiency requirements of their chosen UK university.
• Field of Study: Awards are for specific Master's programs that align with the economic, social, and technological development needs of the candidate's home country and the CSC's broader development themes. These themes include Science and technology for development, Strengthening health systems and capacity (such as Public Health or Global Health and Development), Promoting global prosperity, Strengthening peace and security, Strengthening resilience and response to crises, and Access, inclusion and opportunity.
• Commitment to Return: Applicants must confirm that they will return to their home country as soon as their award ends.

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Scheme provides comprehensive financial support, making it a fully funded opportunity.

• Tuition Fees: Full coverage of approved tuition fees, paid directly to the university.
• Maintenance Stipend: A generous monthly living allowance to cover living costs. For the 2026/27 cycle, this has been specified as at least £1,452 per month, with a higher rate of £1,781 per month for those studying at universities in the London metropolitan area.
• Travel: Economy class return airfare from the scholar's home country to the UK at the beginning and end of the award.
• Warm Clothing Allowance: A one-off allowance to help scholars from tropical climates adapt to the UK weather, typically £563.
• Thesis Grant: A grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation.
• Study Travel Grant: Provided for approved study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
• Arrival Allowance: A one-off payment upon arrival in the UK.
• Immigration Health Surcharge: Covered to ensure access to the National Health Service (NHS).
• Excess Baggage Allowance: Up to an annual approved limit for when returning home.
• Family Allowances: Contributions towards childcare, where applicable.
• Disability Allowance: Available for scholars with disabilities, subject to specific needs.

Applying for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship involves a two-step process, requiring diligence and careful adherence to deadlines.

1. University Application: Candidates must first apply for admission to an eligible full-time Master's programme at a participating UK university. It is crucial to check the specific university's admission requirements and deadlines, as many require an offer of admission before the scholarship application can be fully considered.
2. Scholarship Application: Simultaneously, or shortly after, candidates must submit their application for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship via the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's (CSC) online application system, known as CSC Central. The CSC does not accept applications or documentation outside of this online system.

Required Documents typically include:

• Academic Transcripts: Full transcripts for all higher education qualifications (undergraduate and any postgraduate degrees).
• References: At least two academic references. Applicants should contact their referees early to ensure submission by the deadline.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume: A detailed outline of your academic and professional history.
• Personal Statement/Study Plan: A crucial component where applicants must articulate how their proposed study relates to specific development challenges in their home country and how the acquired knowledge and skills will contribute to its development. This should align with the CSC's development themes.
• Proof of English Language Proficiency: If required by the chosen university, evidence of meeting their English language requirements.

Tips for Applicants:

• Start Early: Begin both university and scholarship applications well in advance of the deadlines.
• Research Courses: Ensure the chosen Master's course is one of the specific eligible programmes at a participating university and aligns with a CSC development theme.
• Demonstrate Impact: Clearly and convincingly outline how your studies will contribute to the sustainable development of your home country. This is a key selection criterion.
• Financial Need: Be prepared to demonstrate your inability to afford UK study without the scholarship.

Applications for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships typically follow an annual cycle, opening in the autumn and closing in early winter for study commencing the following September/October.

For the academic year 2026/27, applications for candidates generally opened in November 2025 and closed in mid-December 2025. For example, deadlines across various universities and the CSC portal were commonly Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 16:00 GMT.

Looking ahead, applications for the 2027/28 academic year are scheduled to open in early November 2026 and close in mid-December 2026. Universities are usually notified of their allocated awards by early November, and the list of eligible courses is published around the same time.

The selection process for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships is highly competitive and rigorous, focusing on identifying individuals with exceptional potential to contribute to development.

• Academic Merit: Candidates are primarily assessed on their academic excellence, typically requiring a first or upper second-class honours degree.
• Quality of Study Proposal: The relevance and quality of the proposed Master's programme and its alignment with the CSC's development themes are critical. Applicants must articulate how their chosen course will address specific development challenges in their home country.
• Potential for Development Impact: Reviewers look for candidates who demonstrate a clear potential to enhance the development of their home countries with the knowledge and leadership skills acquired through their UK studies. This includes their ability to make positive change upon returning home.
• Financial Need: Applicants must genuinely be unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.

The selection process involves an initial shortlisting by the participating UK universities, based on applications submitted to both the university and the CSC. Universities then nominate their preferred candidates to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission for final approval and agreement. Successful nominees typically receive notification around April/May, with final award confirmation by July. The CSC aims to allocate approximately 180 new Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for the 2027/28 academic year.