Full funding · Study in the UK
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Full tuition, return airfare, a monthly living allowance and arrival and thesis grants
- Funder
- Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
- Level
- Postgraduate
- Coverage
- Full
About this scholarship
Shared Scholarships are jointly funded by the UK government and participating UK universities, and target talented students from eligible Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford UK master's study.
Unlike Chevening they are means-tested in substance — the selection explicitly favours candidates without the financial means to study in the UK, which changes how the application should be written.
🗓️ Deadline
Nominating universities set their own internal deadlines, usually in December or January
Award cycles shift year to year. Confirm the current deadline on the official site before you plan around it.
Eligibility
- Citizenship of an eligible Commonwealth country — check the current list, which includes India and Sri Lanka
- A first degree of at least upper second-class honours standard
- Applying to one of the specific master's courses on the Shared Scholarships list
- Unable to afford UK study without the scholarship, in the Commission's assessment
- Not having previously studied for a year or more in a high-income country
How to apply
- Check the current list of participating universities and eligible courses
- Apply for admission to one of the listed courses at a participating university
- Submit the CSC application through the university's own nomination process, before its internal deadline
- Universities nominate candidates to the Commission, which makes the final selection
- Expect outcomes in the spring or early summer for a September start
Studying in the UK
World-leading universities, a two-year post-study work route and degrees recognised everywhere. Post-study work: 2 years (Graduate Route).
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Commonwealth Shared Scholarships: your questions, answered
What does the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships cover?
Full tuition, return airfare, a monthly living allowance and arrival and thesis grants. Shared Scholarships are jointly funded by the UK government and participating UK universities, and target talented students from eligible Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford UK master's study.
Who is eligible for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships?
Core requirements are: Citizenship of an eligible Commonwealth country — check the current list, which includes India and Sri Lanka; A first degree of at least upper second-class honours standard; Applying to one of the specific master's courses on the Shared Scholarships list; Unable to afford UK study without the scholarship, in the Commission's assessment; Not having previously studied for a year or more in a high-income country. Eligibility rules are set by the funder and can change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
When is the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships deadline?
Nominating universities set their own internal deadlines, usually in December or January. Because award cycles shift year to year, always check the official programme website for the current date.
Is the university placement service really free?
Yes, our service is 100% free. Counselling, university matching, application support and guidance right up to your offer cost you nothing. There are no consultation fees and no agent fees, because we are funded by our university partners. The only cost you take on is the university’s own tuition or semester fees, which you pay directly to the university after you accept your offer.
What exactly do you help with?
Everything from start to finish: understanding your options, shortlisting the right programme, preparing your application and personal statement, submitting to the university, and guiding you through the offer, enrolment and visa paperwork, all with a dedicated counsellor.
Which universities can you place me into?
We place students into a range of UK and international universities, and we shortlist the best-fit options for your grades, budget and goals rather than pushing a single school. On some pages we run dedicated free placement drives for a specific partner university, and we are always adding more partners. Tell us your goals and your counsellor will map out your options.