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.
UK Government / Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
Government-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
Fully Funded
Duration
1-Year Taught Master's
Travel
Return Airfare + Thesis Grant
Awards
~250 / year (across all unis)
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
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.
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.
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.
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.
account_tree Application Process
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
Similar Scholarships
Other curated opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
Chevening Scholarship
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Commonwealth Master's Scholarship
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission UK
AA School International Postgraduate Fellowship
Architectural Association School of Architecture