Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
CSC/UK-university co-funded scholarships for approved one-year taught Master's courses, for citizens of 44 eligible Commonwealth countries (Ghana included) who have not spent a year or more in a high-income country. Next round expected to open around November 2026.
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Eligibility
- Who can apply
- Bangladesh, Botswana, Belize, Cameroon, Dominica, Fiji and 39 more
- Education required
- Bachelors completed
- Fields
- Any field of study
- Language
- The CSC does not require IELTS; the participating UK university sets its own English requirement for admission
- Residency
- Must be a citizen of, or have refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country and be permanently resident there
- Also required
- Hold at least a 2:1 first degree, or a 2:2 plus a relevant postgraduate qualification, by the September start
- Not have studied or worked for more than one academic year in a high-income country (remote study from home is permitted)
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
- Apply only for approved Master's courses at participating UK universities and also apply for admission to the university
- Commit to return home after the award
About this opportunity
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are one of the CSC's three Master's programmes. UK universities bid to host scholars on specific one-year taught Master's courses with development impact and fund the living costs; the CSC funds tuition and airfares. Candidates apply on CSC Central for an approved course and must also gain admission from the university, which shortlists and nominates them to the CSC.
Eligible applicants are citizens of (or refugees in) one of 44 low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries, including Ghana, permanently resident there, with at least a 2:1 (or 2:2 plus a postgraduate qualification), who have not studied or worked for more than one academic year in a high-income country and could not otherwise afford UK study. Around 180 awards are expected for 2027/28; applications should open in November 2026 and close mid-December 2026.
- Level
- Master's
- Where
- United Kingdom
- Duration
- Normally 12 months
- Number of awards
- Around 180 new scholarships expected for 2027/28
- Difficulty
- High · about 8 weeks to prepare
Funding
Fully funded
- tuition
- stipend
- travel
- research costs
- family allowance
Full tuition fees (CSC/university agreement); stipend GBP 1,452 per month (GBP 1,781 in London) paid by the university; return airfare; warm clothing allowance; thesis grant; study travel grant; TB-test contribution; child allowance for single-parent scholars. Rates at current levels.
What you will need
- Passport or national ID
- Academic transcripts
- Reference letters (2)
- Personal statement
On CSC Central: passport or national ID; full transcripts with certified translations; at least two signed references in PDF uploaded with the application; Development Impact statement, plan of study, personal statement and career plans. Separate admission application to the participating university is required; offer not needed at CSC application stage but check university deadlines.
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