The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2027/28 is not open yet: applications will open on 10 November 2026 and close at 16:00 GMT on 8 December 2026. Pakistani citizens who are permanently resident in Pakistan can prepare now for an approved full-time Master’s course at a participating UK university. The 2027 course list will be published before applications open.
Quick Overview
| Provider | Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK |
|---|---|
| Current status | Upcoming; applications are not open yet |
| Application window | 10 November to 8 December 2026 |
| Closing time | 16:00 GMT on 8 December 2026 |
| Study start | September or October 2027 |
| Study level | Approved full-time taught Master’s courses only |
| Pakistan eligibility | Pakistan is on the official eligible-country list |
| Official information | CSC Commonwealth Shared Scholarships page |
About the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship programme is a UK government scholarship route led by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and jointly funded with participating UK universities. It is intended for postgraduate students from eligible low and middle-income Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.
The award normally supports one year of study on a selected Master’s course. It is not a general scholarship for every UK programme, and it does not fund undergraduate or PhD study. Applicants must select a course from the official 2027/28 approved list after the CSC publishes it.
This guide uses the official 2027/28 dates. The course and university links still point to the 2026 programme at the time of publication, so applicants should not treat an old course list as confirmation for 2027.
Financial Benefits
The CSC states that a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship covers approved tuition fees and an approved return airfare between the scholar’s home country and the UK. The current published package also includes:
- a living allowance of GBP 1,712 per month, or GBP 2,000 per month at universities in the London metropolitan area;
- a warm clothing allowance where applicable;
- a thesis or dissertation grant where applicable;
- a study travel grant for approved study-related travel;
- a contribution toward a mandatory tuberculosis test when required for a visa application; and
- limited child allowances for an eligible widowed, divorced or single parent whose children live with the scholar in the UK.
Rates and conditions can change. Confirm the final award terms in the 2027/28 scholarship notice before making financial commitments. The family allowance is only a contribution and may not cover the actual cost of accompanying dependants.
Application Structure
- Wait for the CSC to publish the approved 2027/28 courses and participating universities.
- Choose an approved course that matches your academic background and development goals.
- Check the university’s separate admission requirements and deadline.
- Apply for university admission and submit the scholarship application through CSC Central.
- The participating university conducts the initial selection and sends nominated candidates to the CSC.
- The CSC checks eligibility and confirms awards before the university informs selected candidates.
You may apply for more than one eligible course and university, but you may accept only one Commonwealth Shared Scholarship. Scholarship submission does not replace the university admission application.
Eligibility Requirements
A Pakistani applicant must meet every condition in the official call. The CSC currently requires candidates to:
- be a citizen of, or hold refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country and be permanently resident there;
- be available to begin study in the UK in September 2027;
- hold, by September 2027, a first degree at least equivalent to a UK upper second-class 2:1 honours degree, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification, normally a Master’s degree;
- not have studied or worked for one academic year or more in a high-income country;
- be unable to afford UK study without the scholarship;
- apply to an approved full-time Master’s course; and
- submit every required supporting document in the required format by the deadline.
Pakistan appears on the CSC’s 2027/28 eligible-country list. There is no CSC age limit, although an employer can have its own rules for study leave. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee nomination or selection.
Required Documents
The scholarship application must include the following by the closing date:
- a valid passport or national identity document showing the applicant’s photograph, date of birth and country of citizenship;
- complete higher-education transcripts, including current-study transcripts where applicable;
- certified English translations for transcripts not issued in English; and
- at least two signed references in PDF format, on institutional letterhead or in an email that clearly shows the sender’s details.
The form also asks for academic qualifications, employment history, referees, a study plan, career plans, leadership and volunteering evidence, a personal statement and a four-part development impact statement. Prepare these answers before the portal opens, but check the live 2027/28 form for any change.
How to Apply
- Read the official Commonwealth Shared Scholarships page.
- From 10 November 2026, use the published 2027/28 course list to select an approved Master’s course.
- Check that university’s course admission rules and submit any separate admission application it requires.
- Create or access your account in CSC Central.
- Complete the scholarship form, upload all required documents and submit before 16:00 GMT on 8 December 2026.
- Save your application reference and a copy of the submitted application.
The CSC does not charge an application fee for its scholarships. Use only the official CSC website, CSC Central and the participating university’s own site. No agent can guarantee a nomination or award.
Further Scholarships for Pakistani Students
- Compare the agency-nominated route in the HEC Commonwealth Scholarships guide.
- Review the Chevening Scholarship guide for Pakistan.
- Explore European joint degrees in the Erasmus Mundus catalogue guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2027 open?
No. The official application window opens on 10 November 2026 and closes at 16:00 GMT on 8 December 2026.
Can Pakistani students apply?
Yes. Pakistan is listed as an eligible country, provided the applicant meets the residence, academic, financial and other rules.
Do I need a university admission application?
Yes. Candidates must apply for the scholarship through CSC Central and also follow the admission procedure for the selected approved course.
Can I use the 2026 course list for 2027?
No. The CSC says the 2027 approved courses and participating universities will be published before applications open.
Is this scholarship for PhD study?
No. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships fund approved full-time Master’s courses only.
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