The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS) at University College London (UCL) is a life-changing opportunity. It’s a joint initiative between UCL and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) to help bright, financially constrained students from developing Commonwealth countries. The aim is simple but powerful: let top academic talent access a UK master’s education so they can drive development back home.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: UK
- Host University: University College London (UCL)
- Scholarship Type: MSC Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: Click Here to See Countries
- Scholarship Benefits: Full tuition fee, Monthly stipend, etc.
Scholarship Benefits
- Covers full tuition fees for the one-year master’s programme.
- Provides a maintenance allowance (living stipend) so scholars can focus on study, rent, food, books, and more.
- Paid economy-class flights to and from the UK at the beginning and end of your study.
- Additional discretionary allowances, which may cover things like warm clothing, dissertation, or conference travel.
See Also:
- Northern Michigan University Graduate Assistantship 2026: Fully Funded Scholarship in USA
- 2026 Texas Christian University Graduate Assistantship in USA: Fully Funded Scholarship
- Mississippi State University Graduate Assistantship 2026: Fully Funded Scholarship in USA
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for the UCL CSSS, you must:
- Be a Commonwealth citizen, or a refugee, or hold British Protected Person status.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be available to start studies in the UK by September/October 2026.
- Hold, by September 2026, a first degree of either:
- First class, or upper second class (2:1), or
- Lower second class (2:2) plus a relevant postgraduate qualification.
- Not have studied or worked for one academic year or more in a high-income country.
- Demonstrate financial need — that is, you could not afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
- Have applied (or be applying) for admission to one of UCL’s eligible Master’s programmes, such as:
- 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
Documents Required
When applying, you will typically need:
- Academic transcripts and degree certificate(s)
- Reference letters (usually two)
- Proof of residency or citizenship in your Commonwealth country
- Evidence of financial need or inability to self-fund
- Valid passport or identity document
- A research proposal or study plan (depending on programme)
- English language test scores, if required by the UCL programme
Scholarship Deadline
The application deadline for the UCL Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is 09 December 2025.
Steps on How to Apply
- Apply for admission to one of the eligible UCL Master’s programmes via UCL’s normal postgraduate application process.
- Submit the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship application via the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) portal when it opens.
- Ensure your UCL admission application is active (with references) by 20 January 2026, to be considered.
- Wait for the selection process: shortlisted candidates are recommended by an academic panel and the Student Funding Office.
- If selected, expect to hear via email by mid-April, with final award confirmation by July 2026 once CSC completes checks.
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