The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships pay for a one-year master’s degree at a participating UK university, starting in September/October 2027. Applications open on 10 November 2026, and Nigeria is on the list of eligible countries.
Who can apply
- You must be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country (Nigeria is eligible) and live there permanently.
- By September 2027 you need at least a Second Class Upper (2:1), or a Second Class Lower plus a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a master’s.
- You must not have studied or worked for a year or more in a high-income country.
- You must be unable to afford UK study without this scholarship.
- There is no age limit and no IELTS requirement from the Commission, although your university may ask for English proof.
Which courses
Only master’s courses on the official 2027 approved list qualify. It includes courses at universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, LSE, UCL, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol and Strathclyde, in areas like public health, AI and data science, engineering, development, climate and security. You must also apply to the university for admission separately.
What it covers
- Full tuition fees
- Return economy flight between Nigeria and the UK
- A living allowance of £1,712 per month, or £2,000 in London (current rates)
- Thesis grant, study travel grant and warm clothing allowance, where applicable
Deadline
8 December 2026, 16:00 GMT. Apply early, because the system gets very busy near the deadline.
How to apply
- Choose a course from the official approved list.
- Apply to that university for admission.
- Apply for the scholarship on the CSC application system (CSC Central). Upload your passport, all transcripts and two signed references.
Universities pick their candidates and send them to the Commission in March 2027. Scholars must agree to return home after the award. Applying is free.
Official page and eligibility | 2027 approved courses | Application system
Last checked: 10 November 2026.