Are you a student from a less developed Commonwealth country, and looking for a way to have a more quality education in the best institutions? Well, search no more! The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is an award that is being given to performance students who come from middle income commonwealth country or even less developed Commonwealth countries.
This article will be adequately centered on information about the scholarship, the information will help you to know the essential requirements, the needed documents, the most eligible courses, application processes, accepted courses and also the interesting benefits that comes with it. Let’s get right into it!
About the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships in UK in 2026

This scholarship program gives these various students a chance to be able to get a degree in the United Kingdom.
This scholarship is sponsored by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID). This body that funds the scholarship is also given a helping hand by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). Another body that is involved in the success and existence of this awesome scholarship idea is the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP).
This scholarship program is a fully funded one. This implies that all necessary financial needs are being covered by it. Financial needs includes; the tuition costs, the living expenses and also the travel expenses that are involved. Remember it only applies to qualified students who come from accepted Commonwealth nations.
Their sole purpose is to give support to creative and good performing students who can not afford to fund their stay and also their studies abroad. This great scholarship program is also supported by many other participating United Kingdom institutions. Their scholarship is made available for various ranges of masters programs.
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DETAILS OF THE COMMONWEALTH SHARED SCHOLARSHIP 2026

– THE HOST COUNTRY: United Kingdom
– THE DEGREE PROGRAM: Masters Degree Program
– THE DEGREE DURATION: One year
– THE COVERAGE OF SCHOLARSHIP: A Fully Funded Scholarship
-THE ELIGIBLE NATIONS: Eligible Commonwealth nations
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THE ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH SHARED SCHOLARSHIPS

1) You must be a full citizen of or have acquired a refugee status in a Commonwealth nation, or you can be a British Protected Person.
2) Permanency of residence in any of the accepted Commonwealth nations is required.
3)The applicants are required to be set to begin their studies by the beginning of the United Kingdom academic session in September 2026.
4) The applicants are required to have a first class degree, or maybe at least a lower second class degree(2:2) or an upper second class degree (2:1), and also with a postgraduate qualification.
5) The applicants are also required to not have studied or worked in any high income country for an academic year or more.
6) The applicants are expected to be financially insufficient enough to be able to study in the United Kingdom Department without an aid of a scholarship or financial support.
7) The applicants are required to present all the needed documents as they are required.
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THE SELECTION CRITERIA FOR THE COMMONWEALTH SHARED SCHOLARSHIP

1) They require a strong quality record of academic performance and excellent records.
2) The students are to show a high commitment to the development of their country home.
3) The applicants are to show great ability in leadership potential skills so as to make a valuable impact in their country home.
4) The applicants are also assessed on the quality of their research proposal. it is required to be a high standard proposal.
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THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH SHARED SCHOLARSHIP

Here are some of the documents to ensure a smooth and complete application for this scholarship.
1) A proof of citizenship in an accepted country is required. This proof can be any form of a valid passport or a national identity card. Please ensure that this proof adequately shows your picture, the date of birth and also your country of citizenship.
2) You can also present a proof of refugee status in any eligible country.
3) You are required to show a well organized transcripts of all your higher education qualifications.
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THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR THE COMMONWEALTH SHARED SCHOLARSHIP

You must make sure to follow these detailed steps to ensure a good application.
1) All applicants must ensure they meet with the eligibility criterias or standards for the scholarship.
2) The applicants are to choose a masters degree course at any United Kingdom institution that is accepted for the scholarship.
3) You can apply for an admission to the selected course through the university’s online application portal.
4) Then, you can apply for the scholarship by submitting all your application requirements.
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THE BENEFITS OF THE COMMONWEALTH SHARED SCHOLARSHIP 2026

It will be quite interesting to know that this scholarship program offers a many beneficial opportunities, some of them include;
1) Approval of travel costs: The program covers all the travel expenses from the candidates country of citizenship to the United Kingdom and also for returning.
2) Full coverage of the tuition fees: The program ensures the handling of the full tuition fees for the applied course.
3) Provision of living allowances (Stipend): The scholarship program provides the full living costs of the candidate, which includes; accomodations, feeding, etc. The scholarship offers a stipend of £1,378 in a month, or £1,690 in a month for students who are in universities located in the London metropolitan areas.
4) Provision of Child Allowances: The scholarship also applies to either divorced, widowed or single parent scholars, as they provide child allowances for their child.
5) Approval of Study Related Travel Grants: They also provide all study related travel grants which holds within the United Kingdom or across.
6) They have about seventy two available scholarships.
7) Warm Clothing Allowance: You would get this allawance if you need it. The university you enroll in sponsors this.
8) Thesis Grant: The CSC funds the expenses needed when preparing for a thesis or dissertation.
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THE AVAILABLE SCHEMES OFFERED BY THE COMMONWEALTH SHARED SCHOLARSHIP 2026
1) Strengthening health systems and capacity.
2) Science and technology for development.
3) Promoting global prosperity.
4) Building resilience and responding to crisis.
5) Access, inclusion and opportunity.
6) Strengthening world peace, security and governance.
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ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES FOR THE COMMONWEALTH SHARED SCHOLARSHIP

These are the selected countries that can be able to partake in the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship
1) Bangladesh
2) Cameroon
3) Eswatini
4) Ghana
5) India
6) Kenya
7) Kiribati
8) Lesotho
9) Malawi
10) Mozambique
11) Nigeria
12) Pakistan
13) Papua
14) New Guinea
15) Rwanda
16) Sierra Leone
17) Solomon Islands
18) Sri Lanka
19) Tanzania
20) Gambia
21) Tuvalu
22) Uganda
23) Vanuatu
24) Zambia
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THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION OF THE COMMONWEALTH SHARED SCHOLARSHIP

The application deadline for the application of the COMMONWEALTH SHARED SCHOLARSHIP 2026 is on the 12th December, 2025. Please ensure that you have gotten all your required materials and documents for the application, to ensure a more secured chance to get this great scholarship.
In conclusion, getting the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship would be a very great opportunity to enhance your life career but it would require your efforts. Ensure that you adequately follow the guidelines and do the needful so as to make a great positive change in your field of study. Also, remember to know the detailed information about the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship so as to avoid any costly mistakes.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
All citizens of accepted Commonwealth nations who have met with the eligibility criterias
It handles the complete tuition fees, living costs and also travel expenses for all eligible students.
The answer is no, you can not be eligible for this scholarship once you have studied in the United Kingdom.
The scholarship will be given depending on the applicant’s academic excellence, leadership potential skills and also high commitment to the development of their country home.
Apply here: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-shared-scholarships-applications/
Conclusion
In summary, Commonwealth Shared Scholarships at UK universities are great opportunity for talented students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries, who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK, to pursue postgraduate studies at top universities in the UK.
It offers scholarships that cover full tuition and living costs and allows scholars to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to make a positive impact in their home country.
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