Under this scholarship, selected students will be able to do a one-year Master's at a participating UK university. Along with the full cost of studies, airfare and monthly living expenses will also be covered. The UK's Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) announced this information on its website.
According to the CSC, classes for the new academic year will begin in September or October 2027. The main aim of this scholarship, usually 12 months in duration, is to give higher education opportunities to talented and promising students and professionals from developing Commonwealth countries who cannot afford to study in the UK at their own expense.
Benefits under the scholarship
Under the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, students will receive full tuition fees, approved return airfare from Bangladesh to the UK, and a monthly living allowance. At the currently set rate, students studying in the UK will receive an allowance of £1,712 per month. However, if studying at a university in London, the monthly allowance will be £2,000. The allowance amount may change for the 2027-28 academic year. In addition, support will be provided, subject to certain conditions, for winter clothing, research work, study-related travel, and the cost of the tuberculosis test required for the visa.
Who can apply
Bangladeshi citizens can apply for this scholarship. Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK upper second class (2:1). Students whose undergraduate degree will be completed by September 2027 can also apply. Even if the undergraduate result is comparatively lower, those with a postgraduate degree in a relevant subject may be considered eligible.
Applicants must reside permanently in an eligible Commonwealth country. At the same time, they must not be able to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship. There are also certain restrictions regarding previous study or work experience in a high-income country. There is no age limit for applying for this scholarship.
Is IELTS mandatory?
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission has not made IELTS mandatory for the scholarship application. However, the university concerned may ask for an IELTS score or other proof of English language proficiency for admission. Applicants are therefore advised to check the admission requirements of their chosen university and course separately.
How to apply
Interested candidates must apply through the CSC's online application system, ‘CSC Central’. In addition, they must apply separately for admission to the approved Master's course at the university they wish to attend. At the time of application, they must submit a passport or national identity card, full academic transcripts, and signed recommendation letters from at least two people. Details of three referees must also be provided. The application must also include a detailed plan of how the education, knowledge and skills gained in the UK will be used for Bangladesh's development after returning home.
According to the CSC, around 180 scholarships are planned across the whole programme for the 2027-28 academic year. However, this number is not reserved only for Bangladeshi students; students from various eligible Commonwealth countries will compete for them. Scholarship recipients must commit to returning to their home country after completing their studies.
The application deadline is Tuesday, 8 December 2026, at 10:00 pm Bangladesh time. No fee is required to apply for this scholarship. Detailed information and the list of approved universities and courses are available on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's website.
