Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/2028 — Fully Funded UK Master's Scholarships

About the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship programme is administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK. It is intended to help outstanding students from eligible Commonwealth countries gain advanced training that they might not otherwise be able to afford.

The programme focuses on the development needs of eligible countries. Participating UK universities offer scholarships for selected Master's courses designed to contribute to development and build the skills needed in areas that matter to these countries.

The programme is jointly funded by the CSC and participating UK universities. Universities carry out their own recruitment and selection processes before nominating candidates for final consideration by the CSC.

For Nigerian applicants, this is an opportunity to gain an internationally recognised qualification while preparing to apply their knowledge and skills to challenges in Nigeria and elsewhere in their home country.

Who can apply?

To be considered for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, you must meet the programme's eligibility requirements.

You must:

1. Be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country.
2. Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
3. Be available to begin your studies in the UK by the start of the academic year in September 2027.
4. By September 2027, hold a first degree at upper second-class honours standard (2:1), or hold a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master's degree.
5. Be unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
6. Meet the programme's rules concerning previous study or work in high-income countries.
7. Provide all required documents in the correct format by the deadline.
8. Apply for an approved full-time Master's course at a participating UK university.

Nigeria is on the CSC's list of eligible countries. However, meeting the nationality requirement does not automatically make an applicant eligible. You must satisfy all the other conditions and apply for a course approved for the 2027/2028 programme.

The CSC states that applicants must not have studied or worked for more than one academic year in a high-income country. Distance learning at a university in a high-income country while living in your home country is permitted, provided you clearly explain this in your application.

There is no age limit stated for CSC applications.

What does the scholarship cover?

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship provides substantial financial support for successful applicants.

1. Full approved tuition fees

The scholarship covers the full approved tuition fees agreed between the CSC and the participating university. Scholarship holders should not be required to pay their own share of the approved tuition fee.

2. Return airfare

Approved airfare is provided for travel from the scholar's home country to the UK and return travel at the end of the award.

Travel costs for dependants and journeys made before the award is confirmed are not covered under the published airfare provision.

3. Monthly living allowance

Scholars receive a monthly allowance to help cover their living expenses, including accommodation.

The current published rates are:

• £1,712 per month for study outside the London metropolitan area.
• £2,000 per month for study at universities in the London metropolitan area.

These are current rates, not a guarantee that the same amounts will apply unchanged throughout the 2027/2028 award year.

4. Additional allowances

Depending on eligibility and the circumstances of the award, support may include:

• A warm clothing allowance, where applicable.
• A thesis or dissertation grant, where applicable.
• A study travel grant for eligible study-related travel.
• A contribution towards the cost of a required tuberculosis test for a visa, where applicable.
• Certain child allowances for eligible scholars who meet the programme's family-allowance conditions.

Additional support is subject to the CSC's rules. Applicants should not assume that every allowance will apply to every scholar.

Which courses and universities are eligible?

The scholarship is available only for approved Master's courses at participating UK universities.

The CSC has stated that the course and university lists for 2027/2028 will be published before applications open on 10 November 2026. Older course lists relate to previous scholarship cycles, so applicants should not assume that a course or university included in an earlier list will automatically be eligible for the next cycle.

When the updated list is published:

1. Review the approved courses and participating universities.
2. Identify a course that matches your academic background and career goals.
3. Check the university's admission requirements and course-specific deadline.
4. Confirm that you satisfy the scholarship's eligibility conditions.
5. Prepare your scholarship and university applications.

The CSC allows candidates to apply for more than one course and at more than one university, but a successful candidate may accept only one Commonwealth Shared Scholarship.

How to apply

Applications for the 2027/2028 cycle open on 10 November 2026.

Step 1: Check the approved course list

Visit the official CSC website and review the updated list of participating universities and eligible Master's courses when it becomes available.

Do not select a course based only on the fact that it is offered by a UK university. It must be approved for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship programme.

Step 2: Apply for university admission

Submit an application for admission to your chosen Master's course. Check the university's requirements, including academic qualifications, English-language requirements and admission deadlines.

You must apply for university admission separately from the scholarship application.

Step 3: Prepare your scholarship documents

Collect your identification, academic transcripts, references and other supporting information. Start drafting your study plan, personal statement and development-impact responses early.

Step 4: Complete the online scholarship application

Use the official CSC Central application portal:

https://portal.csccentralonline.org.uk/application

Complete the form carefully and provide all the information requested. The CSC does not accept scholarship applications or supporting documents submitted outside its online system.

Step 5: Submit before the deadline

Submit your completed application and all required supporting documents before 4:00 p.m. GMT on 8 December 2026.

Do not wait until the final day. The official website warns that the application system can become busy near the deadline, and applications missing required documents may be considered ineligible.

Documents and information required

The CSC lists the following supporting documents for the application:

• Proof of citizenship or refugee status: A valid passport or national identity card showing your photograph, date of birth and country of citizenship.
• Academic transcripts: Full transcripts for your higher education qualifications, including transcripts to date for any course you are currently studying. Certified translations are required for documents that are not in English.
• References: At least two signed references in PDF format, provided on institutional letterhead or in an email format that clearly shows the sender's details.

The application form also requests information about your qualifications, publications and prizes, employment history, referees, study plans and intended development impact.

The CSC's published form guidance asks applicants to identify three referees who can comment on their ability to benefit from the scholarship and contribute to development after their studies. One should be a current employer where applicable. Prepare this information in advance and follow the exact instructions in the live application form.

The CSC warns that applications may be considered ineligible if required documents are missing by the closing date.

How will applicants be selected?

Participating universities conduct their own recruitment and selection processes. They nominate their preferred candidates to the CSC, which then checks that nominees meet the scholarship's eligibility requirements.

The published selection criteria include:

• Academic merit.
• Quality of the proposed study or research plan.
• Potential to contribute to development in the applicant's home country.

This means a strong application should do more than demonstrate good grades. You should explain why your chosen course matters, what skills you expect to gain and how you intend to use those skills to address a real development challenge after returning home.

Important dates

Applicants should check the participating university's separate admission deadline because it may differ from the scholarship deadline.

Important conditions to understand

Before applying, keep the following conditions in mind:

• The award is for an approved full-time Master's course, not an undergraduate degree or a PhD.
• Applicants must apply separately for admission to their chosen university.
• The award normally lasts 12 months and cannot be extended simply to complete an additional qualification.
• Scholars are expected to return to their home country as soon as possible after the award ends.
• The CSC does not provide permission or support for scholars to remain in the UK to work after the award.
• IELTS is not universally required by the CSC itself, but a university may require proof of English-language proficiency for admission.
• Other scholarships or awards that cover the same costs cannot normally be held at the same time.
• The official CSC website states that it does not charge applicants for scholarships or fellowships through its online application system.

Final advice for Nigerian applicants

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are worth considering if you have a strong academic record, want to pursue an approved development-related Master's course and can explain how your education will benefit your community or country.

Start preparing before applications open. Gather your transcripts and references, research your preferred areas of study and write down the development problem you want to help solve. Once the 2027/2028 course list is published, confirm that your preferred course is approved and check its university admission requirements.

Apply through the official scholarship website:
https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-shared-scholarships-applications/

Application portal:
https://portal.csccentralonline.org.uk/application

Remember: Applications open on 10 November 2026 and close at 4:00 p.m. GMT on 8 December 2026. The CSC does not charge an application fee. Always use the official website for updates and application instructions.