Commonwealth Shared Scholarship UK 2026 for Developing Countries 

Overview

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme supports talented students from developing Commonwealth countries who cannot afford postgraduate study in the UK. The programme enables scholars to pursue taught Master’s degrees that contribute to the economic, social, or technological development of their home countries.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be a Commonwealth citizen, refugee, or British Protected Person

• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country

• Be available to start studies in September or October 2026

• Hold a first-class or upper second-class degree, or a second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification

• Demonstrate financial need and inability to study in the UK without the scholarship

• Not have studied or worked for one full academic year or more in a high-income country

• Apply to UCL for an eligible Master’s programme

Eligible UCL programmes include:

• MSc Earthquake Engineering with Disaster Management

• MSc Risk and Disaster Science

• MSc Urban Economic Development

• MSc Clinical Drug Development

• MSc Global Health and Development

• MSc Prosperity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

• MSc Humanitarian Policy and Practice

• MA Education, Gender and International Development

Benefits

The scholarship covers:

• Full tuition fees

• Living and maintenance allowance

• Economy flights to and from the UK

• Additional allowances as approved
  Awards are normally for one year, with up to eight spaces available for the 2026–27 academic year.

Programme Components

The scheme supports one-year taught Master’s programmes focused on development-related fields. Scholars benefit from academic training, global exposure, and skills needed to drive positive change in their home countries.

Application Requirements

Applicants must:

• Submit the scholarship application via the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission portal

• Hold an active UCL admissions application, including references, by 20 January 2026

• Provide justification if applying for a second UK Master’s degree
  Both UCL and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission must approve the final selection.

Selection Criteria

Selection is based on:

• Academic excellence

• Development relevance of the chosen programme

• Financial need

• Recommendations from UCL’s academic panel and Student Funding Office

Application Process

• Apply through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission portal (opens 12 November)

• Submit all required documents for the UCL programme

• Await joint review and nomination
  Successful and reserve candidates will be contacted by mid-April, with final confirmation expected by July 2026.

Important Dates

• CSC application portal opens: 12 November

• UCL admission application deadline: 20 January 2026

• Results notification: mid-April (final confirmation by July 2026)

For more information and application: 

Visit the official website of the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship UK 2026 for Developing Countries