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Commonwealth Shared Scholarship (UK Govt)

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is jointly funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and participating UK universities. It supports a one-year taught Master's for candidates from Commonwealth low- and middle-income countries — Sri Lanka qualifies — who would otherwise be unable to self-fund. Each partner university selects its own scholars from applicants who have applied directly for an eligible course at that university. The Sri Lankan track record is strong, with awards going to candidates working on development-aligned topics.

Open for September 2027 entry — University deadlines vary, typically February-April 2027

UK Government / Commonwealth Scholarship Commission

Government-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Value

Fully Funded

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Duration

1-Year Taught Master's

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Travel

Return Airfare + Thesis Grant

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Awards

~250 / year (across all unis)

info How this award actually works

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This is a separate, highly competitive application

Government awards like this one run their own selection round against applicants from across the world, and success rates are usually in the low single digits. Lanka Scholar does not administer it and cannot submit it for you. Treat it as a bonus on top of a funded study plan — never as the plan itself.

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Who awards it

UK Government / Commonwealth Scholarship Commission — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.

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How you are considered

Through a separate application round run by the funder, with its own forms, deadlines and shortlisting. You submit it yourself — it is not part of a university admission application.

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What it covers

Full Tuition + Living + Flights. Read the terms carefully: even fully-funded awards rarely cover every cost, and any shortfall is yours to fund.

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Where we come in

We help you judge whether this award is worth your time, and build a realistic admission plan that works whether or not you win it.

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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Commonwealth LMIC Citizen

Open to citizens of Commonwealth low- and middle-income countries — Sri Lanka is currently on the list. You must be permanently resident in Sri Lanka at the time of application.

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Demonstrable Financial Need

You must not be able to afford to study in the UK without this award. The application includes a short financial-need statement and the assessor must agree.

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Upper-Second Bachelor's

A degree equivalent to a UK upper-second (2:1) — typically a first-class or strong second-upper from a Sri Lankan university. No prior UK study (other than short courses) at this level.

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Apply to a Partner UK Master's

You must apply for a participating taught Master's at a partner UK university. The scheme is shared between FCDO and the university, so eligible courses vary year by year — check the CSC website's annual list.

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Choose a participating Master's

Review the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's annual list of participating UK universities and shared scholarship courses. Apply to that Master's programme directly through the university's normal admissions route.

Apply via the CSC Electronic Application System

In parallel, submit the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship application on the CSC's EAS portal by the partner university's stated deadline (varies, typically January-April).

University nomination

The partner university shortlists applicants who meet both academic and CSC criteria. Nominated candidates are forwarded to the CSC for final ratification.

CSC ratification & September start

Final awardees are confirmed by the CSC by June-July and start their UK Master's in September. The award is paid via the host university for tuition and the British Council for stipend.

About Commonwealth Scholarships

Run by the UK's Commonwealth Scholarship Commission for over 60 years, this is one of the largest international development scholarship programmes in the world. The Shared Scholarship sits alongside the standalone Commonwealth Master's and PhD Scholarships.

~250

Shared Awards / Year

60+

Partner UK Universities

Since 1959

Commonwealth Scheme Running

Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?

Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.

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