CSC Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027 UK Masters

CSC Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027: Apply for UK Masters

Facts checked: against the official notice at cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk on 10 November 2026.

Quick Summary

Applications for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28 close on 8 December 2026 at 16:00 GMT (9:30 PM IST the same day by calculation; the notice gives the time in GMT only). The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK offers these Master's scholarships jointly with participating UK universities for students from Least Developed and middle-income Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

CSC Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027: Overview

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027 is a fully funded UK Master's scholarship from the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) for students who could not study in the UK without funding.

It supports Master's study only at a participating UK university on an approved course, with teaching starting in the 2027 academic round. Application is online, and there is no age limit as per the official notification. The closing time noted in the introduction applies to the CSC online form; university admission has a separate process and timeline.

CSC Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027 Benefits and Funding

These Shared Scholarships are jointly funded by the CSC and participating UK universities and cover tuition, living costs and travel for the award period at current rates.

The package includes full tuition fees by agreement between the CSC and the university, a monthly stipend of £1,712, or £2,000 for study in the London metropolitan area, and approved return airfare from the home country to the UK. It also provides a thesis grant where applicable, a study travel grant, and a contribution towards TB testing where required for a visa on receipt.

Child allowance of £622 per month for the first child and £154 per month for the second and third child under 16 is payable only if the Scholar is widowed, divorced or a single parent and the child lives with them at the same address in the UK. The CSC's family allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards maintaining a family in the UK.

CSC Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027 Eligibility Criteria

You can apply only if you meet all of CSC's conditions together, as listed in the eligibility table.

• Citizen of or granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country and permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
• Available to start studies in the UK in September 2027
• Hold first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours, or lower second-class plus relevant postgraduate qualification by September 2027
• Not studied or worked for one academic year or more in a high-income country
• Unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
• For Master's study only at a participating UK university on an approved course, with separate university admission required

Check in particular that you have not studied or worked for one academic year or more in a high-income country and that you have provided all supporting documentation in the required format. Separate admission to an approved Master's course is still required — the scholarship alone does not grant admission.

CSC Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027 Important Dates and Deadline

CSC closes its online application on 8 December 2026 at 16:00 GMT. That deadline is for the CSC form on CSC Central only; a university application alone does not count.

• CSC online application closes: 8 December 2026 at 16:00 GMT.
• Universities nominate chosen candidates to the CSC: March 2027.
• Approved courses start: September/October 2027.

If your chosen university sets its own course and admission deadline, you must meet that separately to remain nominable. Check admission requirements carefully when applying and submit the CSC form early, as the system is very busy near the closing time.

How to Apply for CSC Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027

You must apply twice — once to the UK university for admission and once to the CSC for the scholarship through CSC Central.

What the application form on cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk asks for

• Fields (* = required): Necessary; Functional; Performance; Analytics; Advertisement; Others
• Limit: References from at least two individuals, in PDF format, signed a

Steps the portal lists:

1. View full list of approved courses
2. View details of all participating UK universities
3. Go to the official website and open the full list of approved courses and participating UK universities.
4. Shortlist an eligible Master's course for September/October 2027 entry. You may apply for more than one course or university, but may accept only one Shared Scholarship.
5. Apply directly to the university for admission and follow its instructions on when to apply and admission requirements.
6. Register on the CSC Central portal. Registration and each login use two-factor authentication needing a smartphone or second email account, and you will receive an Application Reference Number email with your reference in the format 01234-SSP-UK-15 and passcode. Keep it safe.
7. In the form, list all undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications, up to 10 publications and prizes, and employment history with how it supports the proposed programme, plus award objectives, career plans, study plan, personal statement and voluntary and leadership detail as asked. Use Save as you go and prepare answers outside the system first.
8. List names and positions of three referees qualified to comment on capacity to benefit and deliver development impact, including your current employer where applicable.
9. Upload supporting documentation in the required format and submit before 16:00 GMT on 8 December 2026. Applications cannot be edited after submitting.

CSC Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027 Documents Required

CSC asks for supporting documentation in its required format plus full background details in the online form. If any required document is missing by the closing date, the application is ineligible, and CSC will not accept documentation outside the online system.

• Supporting documentation in the required format
• Details of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications
• Employment history and up to 10 publications and prizes
• Names and positions of three referees
• Proof of citizenship or refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country: a copy of a valid passport or national ID card showing photograph, date of birth and country of citizenship.
• Full transcripts detailing all higher education qualifications, including to-date transcripts for any course currently being studied, with certified translations if not in English. Where any transcripts are missing or do not include all pages, the application will be considered ineligible.
• Details of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications, employment history and up to 10 publications and prizes, and names and positions of three referees, entered in the form.
• References from at least two individuals, in PDF format, signed and either on institutional letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender's details. Collect them from referees and upload them to CSC Central by the deadline — CSC is unable to accept references any other way or after this date.

CSC Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027 Selection Process

Selection is by university nomination followed by CSC approval.

1. Apply for approved Master's course at participating UK university plus CSC online application
2. Universities nominate chosen candidates to the CSC
3. CSC approves final selection

After you apply for the approved Master's course and submit the CSC application, participating universities review applicants and nominate chosen candidates to CSC in March 2027. CSC then approves the final selection on academic merit of the candidate, quality of the research proposal and potential development impact.

CSC Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027 Important Links

All guidance, course lists and the application form are hosted on the CSC site. Start from the official website and use the pages for this round.

• Apply online through the CSC Central portal linked from the official page.
• Read the official guidance, Handbook for Commonwealth Scholars and Shared Scholarships eligibility checklist before filling the form.
• Check the full list of approved courses for September/October 2027 entry.
• Check details of all participating UK universities and their admission deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last date to apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/2028?

Applications must be submitted online by 8 December 2026 at 16:00 GMT.

Who is eligible for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships?

Applicants must be citizens of or refugees in an eligible Commonwealth country where they permanently reside, and start an approved Master's at a participating UK university in September 2027. They need a 2:1 degree, or 2:2 plus relevant postgraduate qualification, with no year-long study or work in a high-income country and inability to afford UK study alone.

What benefits are provided under the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships?

Scholars receive full tuition fees, return airfare and other allowances along with a monthly maintenance allowance. The monthly rate is £1,712, rising to £2,000 for study in the London area.

How can I apply for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/2028?

Apply for an approved Master's course at a participating UK university and separately submit the CSC online application. Separate admission from the university is required in addition to the scholarship application.

How are candidates selected for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships?

Participating universities nominate their chosen candidates to the CSC after the course and scholarship applications. The CSC then approves the final selection.

Is there an age limit for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships?

No, there is no age limit for this scholarship.