Unlock life-changing opportunities with the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship programme, one of three prestigious Master’s programmes offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, designed to foster sustainable development and leadership in Commonwealth countries
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and offers a vivid demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth. By attracting individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds and supporting them to become leaders and innovators on returning to their home countries, the CSC’s work combines sustainable development with the UK national interest and provides opportunities for international partnerships and collaboration.
Fact About The Commonwealth
1. Global Family: 2.5 Billion Strong!
The Commonwealth is home to over 2.5 billion people, accounting for nearly a third of the world’s population. That’s a massive family reunion!
2. Diverse yet United
With 56 member countries, the Commonwealth boasts an incredible array of cultures, languages (over 50!), and landscapes. From the beaches of Jamaica to the Himalayas of India!
3. The Queen’s Club
The Commonwealth is led by the British monarch, currently King Charles III. However, the organization operates independently, with its own secretary-general and governing body.
4. Economic Powerhouse
The Commonwealth’s combined GDP is over $10 trillion, making it the third-largest economic bloc in the world, after the EU and the US.
5. Shared History, Shared Values
The Commonwealth was born out of the British Empire, but it has evolved into a voluntary association of nations committed to democracy, human rights, and cooperation.
6. Sporty Spirit
The Commonwealth Games, held every four years, bring together athletes from member nations in a celebration of sport and friendship. Think Olympics, but with a Commonwealth twist!
7. Language of Unity
English is the official language of the Commonwealth, but Hindi, Bengali, Portuguese, and Arabic are also widely spoken among member countries.
8. Education for All
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission has awarded over 100,000 scholarships since 1959, empowering students from developing countries to study in the UK and other member nations.
9. Climate Champions
The Commonwealth has pledged to support its member countries in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, including reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy.
10. Young and Vibrant
Over 60% of the Commonwealth’s population is under the age of 30, making it a dynamic and youthful organization poised to shape the future of global cooperation!
Details For 2025 Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
To contribute to development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled and qualified professionals and academics who would not otherwise have been able to study in the UK.
Intended beneficiaries: High-quality postgraduate students from Least Developed and middle-income countries (including fragile and conflict affected states), who have not studied for a year or more in a high-income country before, who would not otherwise afford to study in the UK, and who have the potential to enhance the development of their home countries with the knowledge and leadership skills they acquire.
Application process For 2025 Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
UK universities bid for scholarships for specific courses with demonstrable development impact and must agree to fund the living cost component of the scholarships. Applications are made via successful universities, which make the initial selection of candidates, who are subsequently approved by the CSC.
Rewards For 2025 Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are jointly funded by the CSC and participating UK universities.
Each scholarship provides:
- Approved airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependents, nor the cost of journeys made before the award is confirmed) – funded by the CSC.
- Approved tuition fees: full fees are covered by agreement between the CSC and the UK university, and scholars are not liable to pay for any part of the tuition fee.
Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,347 per month, or £1,652 per month for those at universities in the London
- metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels) – paid and funded by the university.
- Warm clothing allowance, where applicable – paid and funded by the university.
- Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
- Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
- Contribution towards the cost of a mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test, where required for a visa application (receipts must be supplied) – paid by the university, funded by the CSC.
- If a Scholar has children and is widowed, divorced, or a single parent, child allowance of child allowance of £576.61 per month for the first child, and £143 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if their children are living with them at the same address in the UK.
- If a Scholar shares that they have a disability, a full assessment of their needs and eligibility for additional financial support will be offered by the CSC.
- The CSC’s family allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards the cost of maintaining a Scholar’s family in the UK. The true costs are likely to be considerably higher, and Scholars must be able to supplement these allowances to support any family members who accompany them to the UK.
Eligible Fields For 2025 Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
- Tourism
- Accounting
- Aerospace Engineering
- Agricultural Science
- Agricultural Science
- Anthropology
- Archaeology and Ancient History
- Architecture and Design
- Artificial Intelligence
- Arts and Culture
- Astrophysics
- Banking and Finance
- Biochemistry
- Biological Sciences
- Biology
- Biomedical Science
- Building Technology
- Business and Economics
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Communication
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Criminology
- Data Science
- Dentistry
- Ecology
- Economics
- Education
- Engineering
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Science
- Epidemiology
- Food science Technology
- Forestry
- French
- Geography
- Geosciences
- Health Science
- History
- History of Art and Film
- Horticulture
- Hospitality and Management
- Human Kinetics
- Human Resources
- Humanities
- IT
- Journalism
- Journalism
- Law
- Library
- Library and Information Science
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Machine Learning
- Management
- Marine Science
- Marketing
- Material Engineering
- Material Science
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Media
- Medicine
- Microbiology
- Modern Languages
- Museum Studies
- Music
- Neurobiology
- Neuroscience
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Office Technology Management
- Peace and Conflict
- Pharmaceutical Science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Physiology
- Political Science
- Politics and International Relations
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Public Policy
- Real Estate
- Science
- Social Science
- Social Welfare
- Social work
- Sociology
- Software Engineering
- Soil Science
- Space Science
- Special Education
- Sport Science
- Sustainable Development
- Theology
- Transportation Science
- Urban Planning
- Wild-life management
- Zoology
How to apply For 2025 Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
- Applications for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for the 2024/25 academic year are now open. The deadline for submitting an application is 16:00 GMT on Thursday 18 December 2025. The scholarships are for study in the UK beginning in September/October 2024.
- Applications to the CSC must be made using the CSC’s online application system.
The CSC is unable to accept any applications or documentation not submitted via the online application system. - Applicants are advised to complete and submit applications as early as possible, as the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline.
- Applicants must apply to study an approved Master’s course at a participating UK university.
Applicants can apply for more than one course and to more than one university, however they may only accept one offer of a Shared Scholarship. Note these scholarships are only for Master’s courses and not for undergraduate or PhD study. - Applicants must also apply and secure admission for the chosen university course in addition to applying for a Shared Scholarship. Please check with the chosen university for their specific advice on when to apply, admission requirements and rules for applying.
- Applications will be shared with the universities who will nominate their chosen candidates to the CSC in March 2025.