Commonwealth Shared Scholarships Apply Online 2026
How to Apply Online (Step-by-Step)
- 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.
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.