UK Commonwealth Shared Scholarship opens

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2027: UK Scholarship Opens for African Applicants

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2027 has opened, offering an opportunity for eligible students from developing Commonwealth countries, including African countries, to pursue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom with financial support.
The scholarship is designed to support talented students who may not otherwise have the financial resources to study in the UK. It is an important opportunity for Africans interested in furthering their education through international study abroad funding.
According to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, applications for the 2027/28 academic year opened on Tuesday, 10 November 2026.
Successful applicants will begin their studies in the UK in September or October 2027.
The application deadline is:
APPLICATION DEADLINE
8 December 2026
4:00 p.m. GMT
Tuesday, 8 December 2026
Interested applicants should submit their applications early rather than wait until the final day.
Eligible African countries include:
Nigeria
Ghana
Kenya
Uganda
Tanzania
Rwanda
Malawi
Mozambique
Sierra Leone
South Africa
Zambia
The Gambia
To qualify, applicants generally need to:
Be a citizen or recognised refugee of an eligible Commonwealth country and permanently reside there.
Have a first degree equivalent to at least an upper second-class honours (2:1). Applicants with a lower second-class degree may qualify with a relevant postgraduate qualification.
Be unable to afford UK studies without the scholarship.
Meet the programme's other eligibility requirements, including restrictions on previous study or work in high-income countries.
Be ready to begin their approved full-time Master's programme in September 2027.
The scholarship is for Master's degrees only, not undergraduate or PhD programmes.
## What does the scholarship cover?
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship provides substantial financial support, including:
Approved return airfare.
Full approved university tuition fees.
Monthly living allowance.
Thesis and study travel grants, where applicable.
Certain additional allowances for eligible scholars.
The programme is jointly funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and participating UK universities.
Applicants should:
Visit the official Commonwealth Scholarship website.
Check the approved Master's courses and participating UK universities.
Apply for admission to their chosen university separately.
Complete the scholarship application through the CSC Central online application system.
Submit all required supporting documents before the deadline.
Official application information: Commonwealth Shared Scholarships official website⁠.
## Important information for applicants
Being eligible to apply does not guarantee admission or a scholarship award. Universities conduct their own selection processes before nominating candidates to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
Applicants should also check individual university admission deadlines because these may differ from the scholarship deadline.
For many African students, the cost of international education can be a major challenge. The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship provides an opportunity for qualified candidates to gain postgraduate education without having to fund the full cost themselves.
It also aims to equip graduates with knowledge and professional skills they can use to contribute to development in their home countries.
Anyone considering UK scholarship opportunities should therefore review the requirements carefully and prepare their applications early.
Date checked: 13 November 2026.
Application deadline: 8 December 2026, 4:00 p.m. GMT.