Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme - Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship at Sheffield Hallam University

For a one-year Master’s programme in the UK, you will receive a full scholarship. This covers your tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, your visa costs and return flights between your home country and the UK. The funding covers the 12 months of a standard Master’s academic year and begins in September. It is jointly funded by the UK Government, via the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, and Sheffield Hallam University. The university awards two of these places to students from developing Commonwealth countries who would otherwise be unable to afford to study abroad.

Who can apply

• Where you're from: You are a national or recognised refugee of an eligible Commonwealth country and live there permanently. This includes many countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific, including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Jamaica and Fiji.
• Degree level: You would like to start a full-time Master’s degree at Sheffield Hallam University in September 2026. This applies exclusively to Master’s programmes; it does not apply to Bachelor’s programmes or PhDs.
• Subject: You will choose one of six approved degree programmes: Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Environmental Management, Human Rights, Pharmaceutical Analysis, or Pharmacology and Biotechnology.
• Grades: By September 2026, you must have at least a very good Bachelor’s degree (a grade in the upper second class, known as 2:1). A Bachelor’s degree of a lower standard, combined with a relevant postgraduate programme, will also be considered.
• Time abroad: You have not studied or worked in a high-income country for a year or more.
• Financial need: You wouldn’t be able to afford this course in the UK out of your own pocket.
• Age: There is no age restriction.

How to apply

You must apply twice. First, apply for admission to your chosen Master’s programme directly to Sheffield Hallam University. Then, apply for the scholarship via the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s online system, CSC Central. You should aim to secure your place by early February 2026; you should therefore apply for admission as early as possible. The university will first shortlist applicants and then forward the names of the selected candidates to the Commission for final approval.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is very limited in scope: only two places, only six specific degree programmes at one university, and exclusively for applicants from certain developing Commonwealth countries who can demonstrate a genuine financial need. This keeps the pool of eligible applicants small, but competition is very fierce due to the two full scholarships on offer. Outstanding academic achievements, together with a clear plan of how your studies will benefit your home country, are crucial to setting yourself apart from other applicants. You should therefore apply early and submit a compelling proposal.