Study Abroad ScholarshipVerified for 2026

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission

All India

Deadline: Open Now

About the Program

Comprehensive guide for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.

Benefits & Financial Support

Total scholarship amount

£1,452/mo (approx. ₹43.4 Lakh+)

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship, jointly supported by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and participating UK universities. It covers full approved tuition fees, and scholars are not liable for any part of the tuition fee. The financial package also includes: - Approved airfare from the scholar's home country to the UK and return at the end of the award. - A monthly stipend (living allowance) of £1,452 (approximately 152,460 INR) for those at universities outside the London metropolitan area, or £1,781 (approximately 187,005 INR) per month for those at universities in London (rates quoted at current levels). - Warm clothing allowance, where applicable. - Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable. - Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas. - Contribution towards the cost of a mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test, where required for a visa application. - If a scholar has children and is a single parent, child allowance of £622 (approximately 65,310 INR) per month for the first child, and £154 (approximately 16,170 INR) per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if their children are living with them in the UK. (Approximate INR conversions based on 1 GBP = 105 INR).

Inclusions

Nationality:Be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
Residency:Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
Academic Qualification:By September 2026, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class (2:2) degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master's degree).
Previous Study/Work:Not have studied or worked for more than one (academic) year or more in a high-income country.
Financial Need:Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
Course of Study:Be applying for a full-time Master's course on a selected programme at a participating UK university, which must be related to one of the six CSC development themes.
Availability:Be available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Masters

Must be enrolled in Masters. Minimum 60% marks required in previous exam.

Financial & Category

Income LimitNo Income Bar

Applicable CategoryGeneral, OBC, SC, ST

Selection Process

The selection process for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships involves both the participating UK universities and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC).
University Nomination:Each participating UK university conducts its own recruitment process to select a specified number of candidates. Universities nominate their chosen candidates to the CSC.
CSC Confirmation:The CSC then confirms that these nominated candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the programme.
Applications are considered based on the following criteria:
Academic Merit:The candidate's academic excellence and achievements.
Quality of Research Proposal:The strength and relevance of the proposed research (where applicable for the Master's course).
Potential Impact on Development:The potential impact the candidate's studies will have on the development of their home country.
Financial Need:Demonstrated inability to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.

Renewal Policy

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.

Application Process

1
Identify Eligible Courses and Universities
Review the official CSC list of eligible UK universities and approved Master's courses participating in the Shared Scholarship Scheme. Your chosen course must align with one of the six CSC development themes.
2
Apply for University Admission
Apply for admission to your chosen eligible Master's course directly via the university's online application portal. It is highly recommended to secure an offer of admission (conditional or unconditional) from a participating university before or during your scholarship application.
3
Gather Required Documents
Prepare all necessary supporting documents, including proof of citizenship, academic transcripts, degree certificates, details of three referees, and your Development Impact statement. Ensure certified translations are provided for any documents not in English.
4
Complete CSC Online Application
Access the CSC's online application system (CSC Central). Register and create your applicant profile, then accurately fill in all sections regarding personal details, academic history, professional experience, and contact information. You will also need to input details of your chosen UK university and course.
5
Submit Supporting Documentation
Upload all required supporting documents to the CSC online application system. Applications missing any mandatory documents by the deadline will be considered ineligible.
6
Ensure References are Submitted
Contact your nominated referees early and ensure they submit their references through the specified method (either directly by them or by you uploading them as part of your application) by the deadline.
7
Submit Scholarship Application
Submit your completed scholarship application through CSC Central by the specified deadline (for 2026/2027, this was typically early December 2025).
8
Await Notification
Universities will nominate their chosen candidates to the CSC, and successful awardees will be contacted by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.

Documents Required

Proof of citizenship or refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country (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 up-to-date transcripts for any courses currently being studied, with certified translations if not in English.

Degree certificate for the highest degree completed (a statement of result can be used if the certificate is not yet available).

Names and positions of three referees who are qualified to comment on both your capacity to benefit from the proposed Scholarship and your ability to deliver development impact afterwards. One referee must be a current employer (if applicable).

A Development Impact statement and a detailed Plan of Study, outlining how the proposed study relates to development issues, how new skills will be applied, expected developmental changes, and how impact will be measured.

Proof of English language proficiency, if required by the UK host university and/or UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

A complete online application to an eligible Master's course at a participating UK university (an admission offer may be required before final scholarship shortlisting or confirmation).

Completed CSC online application form (via CSC Central).

Important Dates

Application Deadline

Continuous Enrollment / Check Official Portal

Dates are subject to change as per the provider's official notification. Applicants are encouraged to apply well before the closing date.

Scholarship Quick Facts

Provider TypeStudy Abroad

Education LevelMasters

Application Mode

State/RegionAll India

Income LimitNo Limit

Last Verified2026

Common Questions (FAQs)

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.

Help & Contact Support

Official Support

WebsiteVisit Official Portal

HelplineCheck portal for email/phone support

Need Application Help?

If you have trouble applying, you can check your eligibility or browse our step-by-step application guides.

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Legal Disclaimer

IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. However, scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website before final submission.