Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Renewal Process 2026
Renewal Guidelines & Conditions
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are awarded for the completion of one course of study only, typically a one-year Master's programme. There are no provisions for renewal or extension of the scholarship for subsequent years or for further studies like a PhD.
Key Renewal Prerequisites
- Must pass the previous annual/semester examination in the first attempt.
- No active backlogs or ATKT are permitted in most professional programs.
- Must maintain regular class attendance (typically 75% or higher) validated by the college.
FAQs for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Q.What does the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship cover?
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship that covers all approved tuition fees, approved airfare from your home country to the UK and back, a monthly living allowance (stipend), a warm clothing allowance, a thesis grant, a study travel grant, and a contribution towards a mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test if required for your visa. Additional allowances for dependent children are also available for eligible single parents.
Q.What are the primary eligibility criteria for this scholarship?
You must be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country (or have refugee status/British Protected Person), be permanently resident in that country, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours, be unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship, and not have studied or worked in a high-income country for more than one year. You must also be applying for an approved Master's course at a participating UK university that aligns with CSC's development themes.
Q.Do I need to have an offer of admission from a UK university before applying for the scholarship?
While it is highly recommended to apply for admission to your chosen eligible Master's course at a participating UK university as early as possible, some sources indicate that an admission offer might not be strictly required at the initial scholarship application stage. However, you will typically need to secure an offer before final shortlisting or confirmation of the scholarship. It's crucial to check specific requirements with your chosen university.
Q.Can I hold another scholarship concurrently with the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship?
No, a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is considered a full award covering all costs. Therefore, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission does not allow scholars to hold other scholarships or awards that cover the same costs at the same time. If you receive an offer for another award, you must declare it to your Programme Officer, as accepting another award without declaration may lead to the withdrawal of your Commonwealth Shared Scholarship.