The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship (CSS) is a fully-sponsored UK gravitation programme managed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), aimed at exceptional students from least-developed and lower-middle-income Commonwealth countries—including Ghana. This scholarship supports one-year full‑time Master’s degrees at leading UK universities in fields that contribute to global development, such as sustainability and global health.
🎓 Key Features & Eligibility
- Eligible Countries include Ghana and other developing Commonwealth nations Reddit+12Scholarships Future+12cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk+12cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk+1MySchoolGist+1.
- You must have a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1), or a lower second-class (2:2) plus a relevant postgraduate qualification by September 2025 britishcouncil.org.gh+6cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk+6LSHTM+6.
- You must live permanently in an eligible country, and have not studied or worked in a high-income country for more than one academic year scholars4dev.com+4cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk+4MySchoolGist+4.
- You should demonstrate financial need and be unable to afford UK study without support en.wikipedia.org+15cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk+15britishcouncil.org.gh+15.
- Admissions start in Sept/Oct 2025, and the scholarship is tenable only if study begins at the start of the UK academic year scholars4dev.com.
💷 Financial Support Includes
- Full tuition fees, paid directly to the university en.wikipedia.org+1internationalscholarships.dhet.gov.za+1.
- Return economy-class airfare between home country and UK scholars4dev.com+4MySchoolGist+4Reddit+4.
- Monthly stipend: approximately £1,378, or higher (£1,690) if studying in London.
- Additional allowances: warm clothing, thesis grant, study travel grant, TB test contribution, and (if applicable) child allowances for single parents Scholarships Guider+3MySchoolGist+3internationalscholarships.dhet.gov.za+3.
🌱 Relevant Fields for Sustainability & Global Health
The CSS offers scholarships under six development themes:
- Science & Technology for Development
- Strengthening Health Systems & Capacity
- Access, Inclusion & Opportunity
- Promoting Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Strengthening Global Peace, Security & Governance
- Strengthening Resilience & Responses to Crises cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk+13cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk+13britishcouncil.org.gh+13
Specific programmes relevant to your interest include courses like:
- MSc Global Sustainable Development at St Andrews
- MSc Gender, Development & Globalisation at LSE
- MSc Social Development Practice at UCL
- MSc Global Development at SOAS
…among many others tailored to health, environment, and social policy cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk.
🗓️ 2025 Application Timeline
- Applications for the 2025‑26 intake are now closed.
- Deadline was 23:00 GMT on 12 December 2024 (sometimes cited as 16:00 GMT) depending on the university application portal cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk+1cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk+1LSHTM+1MySchoolGist+1.
- Universities reviewed submissions and forwarded their shortlisted candidates to CSC in March 2025.
- Scholarship outcomes were expected by July 2025 at the latest MySchoolGist+5cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk+5internationalscholarships.dhet.gov.za+5.
Applications for the 2026‑27 cycle typically open in late 2025, with deadlines around December 2025.
✅ How to Apply (Next Steps)
- Choose one or more eligible Master’s programmes aligned to sustainability or global health at participating UK universities — consult the official list to confirm their participation in the CSS scheme internationalscholarships.dhet.gov.za.
- Apply to university admissions on schedule, indicating you are applying for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship.
- Complete the CSC EAS application portal separately before the CSS deadline.
- Make sure you have two academic references, academic transcripts, proof of eligibility (citizenship/residency), and English qualifications in place.
- Tailor your personal statement to emphasize your academic credentials and your development-focused research or career goals relevant to your home country’s needs.
