Are you a talented and motivated student from a developing Commonwealth country with a passion for making a difference? The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year offer a life-changing opportunity to pursue a fully funded Master’s degree in the United Kingdom.
This prestigious program is aimed at candidates who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK and are committed to contributing to the development of their home countries. Discover how to secure your fully funded place and explore the vast array of eligible courses across key development themes.
Scholarship Overview: A Unique Partnership for Global Impact
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are a joint initiative between the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and leading UK universities. They are designed for students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries to study courses directly related to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
| Feature | Details |
| Host Country | United Kingdom 🇬🇧 |
| Sponsored By | UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) & UK Universities |
| Degree Level | Master’s Degree Only (One-Year) |
| Financial Coverage | Fully Funded (Tuition, Stipend, Flights, Allowances) |
| Eligible Countries | Developing Commonwealth Countries (See CSC website) |
| Application Deadline | December 2025 (University deadlines vary, apply early!) |
Comprehensive Financial Benefits: Full Funding for Your UK Master’s
This is a comprehensive, full scholarship that covers all major expenses associated with studying in the UK for one year. This removes the financial barrier, allowing you to focus entirely on your studies and research.
- ✅ Full Tuition Fees: 100% of your university course fees are covered.
- ✅ Monthly Stipend: A living allowance to cover accommodation and daily expenses (rates may vary for London universities).
- ✅ Return Airfare: Economy class flights from your home country to the UK and back at the end of your award.
- ✅ Warm Clothing Allowance: A one-time payment to help you prepare for the UK climate.
- ✅ Thesis Grant & Study Travel Grant: Additional funding towards the cost of preparing a thesis/dissertation and for study-related travel within the UK.
- ✅ TB Test Fee Reimbursement: For applicants required to take a TB test for their UK visa.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply for a Shared Scholarship?
To be eligible for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, you must meet stringent academic, financial, and residency requirements.
- Citizenship: 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: Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree) by the time your scholarship begins.
- Financial Need: Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
- Return Home: Confirm in writing your intention to return to your home country upon completion of your studies and contribute to its development.
- Eligible Countries (Examples): This typically includes countries like Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and many others. Always check the official CSC website for the complete and current list of eligible countries.
How to Apply: A Crucial Two-Stage Process
Applying for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship involves a distinctive two-part process that requires careful coordination. You must apply to BOTH the participating UK university and the CSC.
- Step 1: Find an Eligible Course and University:
- Visit the official CSC website to view the comprehensive list of participating UK universities and the specific Master’s courses eligible for Shared Scholarships for the 2026 intake. You cannot apply for just any course; it must be on this list and linked to a participating university.
- Step 2: Apply to the University for Admission:
- Submit an admission application directly to your chosen UK university for one of the eligible courses. Each university has its own application portal and specific deadlines, which may be earlier for scholarship applicants. Secure an offer of admission from your university.
- Step 3: Apply to the CSC for the Scholarship:
- Submit a separate, comprehensive scholarship application via the CSC’s online application system.
Crucial Tip: You must secure an offer of admission from a participating university to be formally nominated for the scholarship. Early application to your chosen university is highly advised.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2026: Eligible Courses by Development Theme
The eligible courses are strategically aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This detailed list will help you identify programs that match your academic background and development aspirations.
1. Access, Inclusion and Opportunity
- Liverpool Hope University: MA Disability Studies
- London School of Economics and Political Science: MSc Gender, Development and Globalisation
- University College London: MA Education, Gender and International Development, MSc Urban Economic Development
- University of Bath: MSc International Development with Education
- University of Cambridge: MPhil Development Studies
- University of Edinburgh: MSc Comparative Education and International Development, MSc Sport Policy, Management and International Development
- University of Oxford: MSt Theology
- University of Southampton: MSc Gerontology
- University of Sussex: MA Gender and Development
- University of Warwick: MASc Global Sustainable Development
2. Improving Population Health, Health Systems, and Capacity
- Bangor University: MSc Public Health and Health Promotion
- King’s College London: MRes Clinical Research, MSc Health Psychology, MSc Mental Health Studies, MSc Palliative Care
- Liverpool Hope University: MSc Public Health
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine: MPH Public Health (International), MSc Tropical Disease Biology
- London School of Economics and Political Science: MSc Global Health Policy, MSc Health and International Development
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine: MSc Public Health for Eye Care, MSc Public Health for Global Practice
- Newcastle University: MPH Public Health, MSc Drug Chemistry
- Queen’s University Belfast: MPH Public Health
- Robert Gordon University: MSc Analytical Science – Food Analysis, Authenticity and Safety, MSc Pharmaceutical Science
- Royal Veterinary College: MSc One Health: Ecosystems, Humans, and Animals, MSc Veterinary Epidemiology, MSc Wild Animal Biology, MSc Wild Animal Health
- Sheffield Hallam University: MSc Biomedical Laboratory Science
- University College London: MSc Clinical Drug Development, MSc Global Health and Development
- University of Birmingham: MSc Respiratory Medicine
- University of Bristol: LLM Health, Law and Society, MSc Artificial Intelligence for Medicine and Healthcare, MSc Medical Statistics and Health Data Science
- University of Cambridge: MPhil Population Health Sciences
- University of Chester: MSc Family and Child Psychology, MSc Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine
- University of Edinburgh: MSc Global Health Policy
- University of Glasgow: MPH Public Health
- University of Leeds: MPH Public Health (International)
- University of Liverpool: MSc Emerging Infections and Pandemics
- University of Oxford: MSc Global Health Science and Epidemiology, MSc Translational Health Sciences
- University of St Andrews: MSc Health Data Science
- University of Surrey: MSc Human Nutrition, MSc Pharmaceutical Sciences
- University of Sussex: MA Development Studies
- University of Warwick: MPH Public Health
3. Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Brunel University London: LLM Artificial Intelligence, Law and Technology
- Cranfield University: MSc Environmental Management for Business, MSc Applied Artificial Intelligence, MSc Robotics
- Lancaster University: MSc Environmental Sustainability
- London School of Economics and Political Science: MSc Development Management, MSc Local Economic Development
- School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London: MSc Economic Policy, MSc Global Development, MSc Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Strategy
- University College London: MSc Prosperity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- University of Aberdeen: MSc Marketing
- University of Bath: MSc Biotechnology (with Entrepreneurship)
- University of Leeds: MSc Economics
- University of Reading: MSc Food Science
- University of Southampton: MA Fashion Management
- University of Stirling: MLitt Publishing Studies
- University of Strathclyde: MSc Applied Economics
- University of Surrey: MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, MSc FinTech and Policy
- University of Sussex: MA Globalisation, Business and Development
- University of Warwick: MA Arts, Enterprise and Development, MSc Analytical Sciences and Instrumentation
4. Science and Technology for Development
- Aberystwyth University: MRes Parasite Control
- Bangor University: MSc Conservation and Land Management
- Brunel University of London: MSc Renewable Energy Engineering
- Cranfield University: MSc Aerospace Vehicle Design, MSc Environmental Engineering, MSc Future Food Sustainability, MSc Water and Wastewater Processes
- Harper Adams University: MSc Applied Agricultural Technology
- Imperial College London: MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering, MSc Biomedical Engineering, MSc Human and Biological Robotics
- Newcastle University: MSc Agricultural and Environmental Science, MSc Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security
- Robert Gordon University: MSc Analytical Science – Drug Analysis and Toxicology, MSc Digital Marketing
- Sheffield Hallam University: MSc Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, MSc Pharmaceutical Analysis, MSc Pharmacology and Biotechnology
- University of Aberdeen: MSc Energy Economics and Finance
- University of Bath: MSc Biotechnology (Sustainable Biotechnologies), MSc Robotics and Autonomous Systems
- University of Bristol: MSc Global Development and Environment, MSc Sustainable Engineering
- University of Cambridge: MPhil Biological Sciences by Advanced Study (Infection Biology and Molecular Immunology), MPhil Past and Future Climates
- University of Leeds: MSc Geographical Information Science, MSc Sustainable Food Systems and Food Security
- University of Nottingham: MSc Advanced Civil Engineering, MSc Environmental Process Engineering
- University of Reading: MSc Food Technology: Quality Assurance
- University of Southampton: MSc Electrochemistry and Battery Technologies
- University of Stirling: MSc Aquatic Pathobiology, MSc Environmental Remote Sensing and Geospatial Sciences, MSc Sustainable Aquaculture
- University of Strathclyde: MSc Renewable Energy and Decarbonisation Technologies, MSc Sustainable Engineering: Renewable Energy Systems and the Environment (RESE)
- University of Surrey: MSc Data Science
5. Strengthening Peace, Security and Governance
- Durham University: MSc Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding, MSc Defence, Development and Diplomacy
- Newcastle University: MSc Urban Planning
- Queen’s University Belfast: MA Conflict Transformation and Social Justice
- School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London: MA International Studies and Diplomacy, MSc Humanitarianism, Aid and Conflict
- Sheffield Hallam University: MA/LLM Global Human Rights and Social Justice in Practice
- University of Birmingham: MA Africa and Development, MSc Conflict, Security and Development
- University of Edinburgh: MSc Africa and International Development, MSc Future Governance, MSc Global Crime, Justice and Security
- University of Exeter: MA Applied Security Strategy, MA Conflict, Security and Development, MA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, MA International Relations, MA Politics of Energy and Infrastructure
- University of Leeds: MA Religion
- University of Nottingham: LLM Human Rights Law, MA International Security and Terrorism
- University of Oxford: MPP Public Policy, MSt Diplomatic Studies
- University of Reading: MA Conflict and International Security
- University of Strathclyde: MSc Diplomacy and International Security, MSc Political Research
- University of Warwick: LLM International Development Law and Human Rights, MA International Development
6. Strengthening Resilience and Response to Crises
- Bangor University: MSc Agroforestry and Food Security, MSc Environmental and Business Management
- Bournemouth University: MSc Disaster Management
- Durham University: MA Climate Risk and Society, MSc Climate, Risk and Society
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine: MSc Humanitarian Studies
- London School of Economics and Political Science: MSc Environment and Development, MSc International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies
- Newcastle University: MSc Global Conservation
- Royal Agricultural University: MSc Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security
- Sheffield Hallam University: MSc Environmental Management
- University College London: MSc Earthquake Engineering with Disaster Management, MSc Humanitarian Policy and Practice, MSc Risk and Disaster Science
- University of Aberdeen: MSc Biodiversity Conservation, MSc Environmental Management
- University of Bath: MSc International Development with Conflict and Humanitarian Action, MSc Sustainable Energy Engineering
- University of Birmingham: MSc Environment, Development and Politics, MSc International Development
- University of Bristol: MSc Climate Change Science and Policy, MSc Environmental Policy and Management, MSc Public Policy
- University of Cambridge: MPhil Biological Sciences by Advanced Study (Crop Science), MPhil Conservation Leadership, MPhil Engineering for Sustainable Development, MPhil Global Risk and Resilience
- University of East Anglia: MA Agriculture and Rural Development, MSc Climate Change and Global Development, MSc Environment and Global Development
- University of Glasgow: MSc Climate and Environmental Science, MSc Earth Futures: Environments, Communities, Relationships, MSc Environmental Risk Management, MSc Sustainable Water Environments
- University of Leeds: MA International Communication, MSc Sustainability, Environment and Development, MSc (Eng) Transport Planning and Engineering
- University of Nottingham: MSc Environmental Leadership and Management
- University of Oxford: MSc Economics for Development
- University of Reading: MSc Public Policy
- University of Stirling: LLM Environmental Law and Climate Justice
- University of Sussex: MA Food and Development, MA Poverty, Policy and Development Practice
- University of Warwick: MSc Humanitarian Engineering
Deadline & Official Application Link
Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year will open in late 2025. The deadline to apply to the CSC is typically in December 2025, but university deadlines vary.
It is highly recommended to start researching eligible courses and university application processes as soon as the list is published on the official website:
