The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships programme is accepting applications for its 2026 intake, with a deadline of 8 December 2026. The fully funded award supports eligible students from least developed and middle-income Commonwealth countries to pursue 12-month Master's degrees at participating UK universities. This programme is administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK and aims to support talented candidates who would otherwise be unable to afford postgraduate education in the UK.
The scholarship typically funds a 12-month Master's degree at an eligible British university, targeting candidates who have not previously studied for a year or more in a high-income country. Eligible courses cover a range of subjects linked to development priorities, including gender studies, education, global development, heritage, gerontology, and financial technology policy. Participating UK universities apply for scholarship places on specific eligible courses and are required to cover the living-cost component of each award.
Applicants must submit their applications directly to their preferred participating universities, which conduct the initial selection process before forwarding nominations to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission for final approval. The institutions offering eligible courses under the 2026 intake include Liverpool Hope University, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), SOAS University of London, University of Bath, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of Hull, University of Oxford, University of Southampton, University of Stirling, University of Surrey, and University of Sussex.
The eligible programmes cover areas such as development, gender equality, education, international relations, and financial technology policy. Some of the listed courses include MA in Disability Studies at Liverpool Hope University, MSc in Gender, Development and Globalization at London School of Economics, and MSc in Global Development at SOAS University of London and University of Glasgow. Other courses are available at University of Oxford, University of Surrey, University of Edinburgh, and University of Sussex.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission operates under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, which forms part of the UK's broader international development objectives, with a focus on strengthening leadership and professional capacity across Commonwealth countries. This programme is designed to support students from least developed and middle-income Commonwealth countries, including fragile and conflict-affected states.
Interested candidates must apply through a participating UK university offering their preferred eligible course, reviewing the eligible courses and university-specific application requirements before submitting their applications. The deadline for applications through participating universities is 8 December 2026. Prospective students should consult the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website and their chosen university for further details.
The British High Commission in Nigeria has announced that applications for the 2026 Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are open to eligible international postgraduate students seeking to study in the United Kingdom. The programme is open to students from Kenya and other Commonwealth countries, providing an opportunity for them to pursue higher education in the UK. Applicants can explore the available courses and apply through their preferred university before the deadline.
Key points
- The deadline for applications is 8 December 2026.
- The scholarship covers a 12-month Master's degree at an eligible British university.
- Eligible courses include gender studies, education, global development, and financial technology policy.
