Now Open: Fully Funded Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2025 For International Students

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The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS) is a prestigious educational opportunity, co-funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and British universities, designed to support talented postgraduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds in the Commonwealth.

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What Is the Programme?

The CSSS aims to assist students from developing Commonwealth countries—who, due to financial constraints, would otherwise be unable to study in the UK—in pursuing a taught Master’s degree. The scholarship covers tuition, living costs, airfare, and additional allowances, enabling scholars to advance their skills and contribute to their home countries’ development.

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Why the Commonwealth?

The scheme supports six key development themes aligned with global priorities:

Science & Technology for Development
Strengthening Health Systems & Capacity
Promoting Global Prosperity
Enhancing Peace, Security & Governance
Resilience & Crisis Response
Access, Inclusion & Opportunity

These themes ensure that selected students are fully aligned with the broader goals of sustainable and transformational impact.

What’s Covered?

The scholarship is fully funded, providing:

Full tuition fees (at overseas rates)
A maintenance allowance for living expenses
Economy airfare to and from the UK
At some institutions (e.g., LSE), additional support like thesis grants, study travel funds, and even excess baggage allowance

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Who Is Eligible?

To apply, you must meet all of the following criteria:

Be a citizen or refugee from an eligible Commonwealth country, or a British Protected Person, and reside there permanently.
Not have lived or studied in a high-income country for more than a year.
Hold a first-class or upper second-class undergraduate degree—or a second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification.
Demonstrate financial need and the inability to self-fund UK study.
Be eligible—and ready—to start your Master’s programme in the UK in the UK academic year (typically September/October).

Eligible Courses & Institutions

Scholarships are available at a range of UK universities, each offering select programmes. Some examples:

University College London (UCL): Programmes in global health, infrastructure finance, social development, and prosperity innovation.
University of Nottingham: Degrees in law, education, economics, public health, engineering, and more.
University of Strathclyde: Courses in renewable energy, international relations, security studies, etc.
SOAS, LSE, RAU: Highlighted examples include global development, migration, and gender studies, among others.

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How to Apply

The application process involves these steps:

Apply for admission to one of the eligible Master’s programmes at a participating UK university. Most institutions require an offer (conditional or unconditional) before proceeding.
Complete the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission online application. Ensure you’ve submitted academic and funding applications by the deadline (commonly around mid-December).

Important Deadlines & Timeline

Application Deadline: Typically mid-December (e.g., 12 December for many universities).
Shortlisting: January–March depending on institution
Final offers: Around April–June, following UK university and CSC approval.

Why It Matters

The CSSS opens life-changing opportunities for scholars from the Commonwealth. It’s a rare chance to access quality education in the UK, develop leadership skills, and forge a global network. Notably, many alumni go on to hold influential positions in government, academia, and civil society.

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If you’re ready to pursue an advanced Master’s in the UK and make a meaningful impact back home, the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme is a golden opportunity—backed by comprehensive funding, global excellence, and a clear development purpose.