The University of Exeter has announced up to two Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for September 2027 entry. The scholarship is a UK government scheme provided by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and is meant for talented students from eligible developing Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford to study a Master’s degree in the UK. Pakistan is on the list of eligible countries. Applications opened on 10 November 2026 and close at 16:00 GMT on 8 December 2026.
Scholarship at a Glance
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Commonwealth Shared Scholarship |
| Provided By | Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in partnership with the University of Exeter |
| Level | Master’s degree (full-time) |
| Entry | September 2027 |
| Awards at Exeter | Up to 2 |
| Duration | 1 year |
| Applications Opened | 10 November 2026 |
| Deadline | 16:00 GMT, 8 December 2026 |
Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship covers full tuition fees, living costs, airfares and allowances. According to the CSC, each scholarship provides:
- Approved return airfare from the scholar’s home country to the UK.
- Full approved tuition fees, with no part of the tuition fee payable by the scholar.
- A monthly living allowance (stipend), currently £1,712 per month, or £2,000 for universities in the London area. This is paid by the university, and rates may change.
- A thesis grant where applicable, a study travel grant and a contribution towards a mandatory tuberculosis test if needed for a visa application.
- A child allowance in specific cases for scholars who are widowed, divorced or single parents with children living with them in the UK.
Eligible Courses at Exeter
For September 2027 entry, the scholarships are available to eligible applicants entering one of these full-time Master’s programmes:
- MA Applied Security and Strategy
- MA Conflict, Security and Development
- MA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
- MSc Forensic Investigations
- MA International Relations
- MSc Security and Data Science
Who Can Apply?
According to the CSC, candidates must meet these conditions:
- Be a citizen of, or have refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country, and be permanently resident there. Pakistan is on the list.
- Be available to start studies in the UK by September 2027.
- Hold, by September 2027, a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification.
- Not have studied or worked for one academic year or more in a high-income country. Distance learning from the home country is permitted, but must be declared.
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
- Provide all supporting documents in the required format.
There is no age limit for CSC applications. The CSC does not charge any fee to apply, and it does not require an IELTS test, although universities may ask for evidence of English language proficiency. Exeter states that applicants must meet its English language requirements to be considered for nomination.
Required Documents
- A copy of a valid passport or national ID showing your photo, date of birth and country of citizenship.
- Full transcripts for all higher education qualifications, including the latest transcripts for courses you are currently studying. Missing pages make an application ineligible.
- References from at least two individuals in PDF format, signed and on institutional letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender’s details, uploaded to the application system by the deadline.
How to Apply
You must submit both applications before the deadline:
- Apply for your chosen Master’s programme from the eligible list through the University of Exeter’s programme webpage. Exeter encourages applicants to apply well ahead of the scholarship deadline so that an admission decision can be processed first.
- Apply for the scholarship itself through the CSC’s online application system, as linked on the CSC Commonwealth Shared Scholarships page.
- Prepare your answers outside the system, then paste them into the form. Use the save function, as applications cannot be edited after submission.
- Submit both applications before 16:00 GMT on 8 December 2026.
The CSC cannot accept any application or document submitted outside its online system. Universities will nominate their chosen candidates to the CSC in March 2027.
Selection Criteria
Each university runs its own selection process and nominates candidates, and the CSC confirms that they meet the eligibility conditions. Applications are assessed on candidate merit, quality of the study proposal and the potential impact on the development of the candidate’s home country.
Important Notes
- The deadline is 16:00 GMT on 8 December 2026. The online system is expected to be very busy near the deadline, so submit early.
- Scholars must sign an undertaking to return to their home country before their student visa expires.
- Applying does not guarantee an award. Only up to two awards are available at Exeter.
- If you have not yet met Exeter’s English language requirement by the deadline, the university asks you to email isrscholarships@exeter.ac.uk about the steps you are taking.
Official Links
- University of Exeter – Scholarship Details
- Commonwealth Scholarship Commission – Shared Scholarships
Conclusion
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship at Exeter offers up to two Master’s students a full year of study in the UK with tuition, living costs and airfare covered. Pakistani students who meet the degree, residency and financial need conditions should apply early to both the university and the CSC before 8 December 2026. Always confirm the latest instructions on the official websites. GB Testing Service is an information platform and is not affiliated with the University of Exeter or the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.