By Kelvin Kibet | Last updated: 28 September 2026
Status: The 2026/27 round is closed. Based on the last cycle, applications for 2027/28 are expected to open in November 2026 and close in mid-December 2026, with the eligible course list published on the CSC website. Confirm the exact dates on the CSC website.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are jointly funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and participating UK universities. They are for one-year taught Master’s courses for candidates from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford UK study. Kenya has been an eligible country, but check the CSC’s current list.
Do not confuse this with the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
The CSC also runs Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, where you apply through a national nominating agency. Its 2027/28 round was reported to open on 8 September 2026 and close on 20 October 2026, with earlier agency deadlines. It is a different scholarship with a different route. This article covers Shared Scholarships.
What Shared Scholarships cover
- Tuition fees
- A monthly living allowance. Recent figures were about £1,452 a month, or £1,781 a month at London-area universities. These are quoted at current levels and may change.
- Approved return airfare
- Other allowances such as a clothing and study grant
Who can apply
- Citizen of, or refugee from, an eligible Commonwealth country and permanently resident there.
- A first degree of at least upper second class (2:1), or a 2:2 with a relevant postgraduate qualification, as the CSC sets out.
- Not have studied or worked for one academic year or more in a high-income country.
- Unable to afford UK study without the scholarship.
- Willing to return to your home country after the award.
The six development themes
Your course must fit the CSC’s themes, which cover science and technology, health systems, prosperity, peace and governance, resilience and crisis response, and inclusion and opportunity. Use the exact wording on the CSC site in your application.
How to apply: two linked steps
- Choose an approved course. Only courses on the CSC list are eligible. Not every Master’s at a partner university qualifies.
- Apply to the university for admission to that course. The CSC says you must apply for and secure admission in addition to the scholarship application. Ask the university about timing, since some invite you to apply after shortlisting.
- Apply to the CSC through its online application system. You can apply to more than one course or university but can accept only one Shared Scholarship offer.
- University nomination. Universities select and nominate their candidates to the CSC, typically in spring.
Applications for a given round have opened in early to mid November and closed in December.
Writing the essays
Selectors read for development impact. Explain how the course connects to a real problem in Kenya, what you have already done about it, and what you will do afterwards. Show need honestly and avoid vague statements.
Preparing before November
- Read the CSC eligibility checklist now.
- Shortlist courses from last year’s list and watch for the new list.
- Request transcripts and degree certificates.
- Line up two referees and brief them.
- Check the English requirement for your course and book a test if needed.
Common mistakes
- Applying to the CSC without a plan for the university application
- Choosing a course that is not on the eligible list
- Waiting for the December deadline to request documents
- An essay with no specific link to a Kenyan need
Frequently asked questions
Is there an application fee for the CSC? The CSC does not charge for applications through its system.
Do I need a university offer before I apply to the CSC? Follow your university’s guidance on timing, but you must secure admission to hold the award.
Official sources: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk); your chosen university’s Shared Scholarship page.