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Do you dream of studying at one of the most prestigious universities in the UK without the financial means? King’s College London (KCL), in partnership with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), offers you this exceptional opportunity. For the 2026/27 academic year, two fully funded scholarships are open to talented students from Commonwealth countries. This scholarship doesn’t just cover your tuition fees: it takes care of your travel, accommodation, daily expenses, and more. It’s a chance to transform your professional path while acquiring expertise that will benefit your home country.
Eligible Programs (Full-time Master’s – 1 year)
- MSc Mental Health Studies
- MSc Health Psychology
- MSc Palliative Care
- MRes Clinical Research
Fields Covered
Nursing, midwifery, psychiatry, psychology, neurosciences.
Number of Scholarships Available
2 scholarships for the 2026/27 academic year
Key Dates
- CSC Online Application Deadline: December 9, 2025, at 16:00 GMT PRIORITY
- Application Fee Waiver Request: January 2, 2026,
- King’s College Application Deadline: January 12, 2026, Mandatory
- Shortlisted Candidates Notification: March 10, 2026,
- Final Results: July 2026.
Benefits and Scholarship Amount
The CSSS (Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme) is a comprehensive funding package that removes all financial barriers:
Full coverage of:
- Round-trip air ticket (home country ↔ UK)
- Full tuition fees at King’s College London
- Monthly stipend for daily expenses (accommodation, food, transport)
- Clothing allowance to adapt to the British climate
- Thesis/dissertation budget for research work
- Study travel grant for academic trips
- Contribution to tuberculosis test (UK visa requirement)
Family Support (if applicable)
If you are a single parent, widowed, or divorced with children under 16 years old accompanying you:
- £622/month for the first child
- £154/month for the second and third child
In summary:
You will have no expenses to cover during your entire Master's program.
Am I Eligible? Essential Criteria
Nationality and Residence
- Be a citizen or refugee from an eligible Commonwealth country (examples: Bangladesh. Belize. Botswana. Cameroon. Dominica. Eswatini. Fiji. Gabon. The Gambia. Ghana. Grenada. Guyana. India. Jamaica. Kenya. Kiribati. Lesotho. Malawi. Malaysia. Maldives. Mauritius. Montserrat. Mozambique. Namibia. Nauru. Nigeria. Pakistan. Papua New Guinea. Rwanda. St. Helena. St. Lucia. St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Samoa. Sierra Leone. Solomon Islands. South Africa. Sri Lanka. Tanzania. Togo. Tonga. Tuvalu. Uganda. Vanuatu. Zambia.
- Reside permanently in one of these countries
Academic Background
- Hold a Bachelor's degree with at least an upper second-class (2:1) or equivalent (Equivalent: "Bien" or average ≥ 14/20 in most francophone systems)
- OR possess a relevant Master's degree
- Meet the admission requirements of the chosen program (check the specific pages of each Master's program)
English Language Proficiency
- Prove your English level according to King’s College criteria (generally IELTS 6.5-7.0 or equivalent)
Financial and Commitment Criteria
- Demonstrate that you cannot finance your studies in the UK without this scholarship
- Have never studied or worked for more than one year in a high-income country
- Formally commit to returning to your home country at the end of your studies (to contribute to its development)
- Start your studies in September 2026
How to Apply? TWO mandatory applications
You must submit two separate applications to two different organizations. Both are required to be considered.
STEP 1: Application to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC)
Deadline: December 9, 2025, at 4:00 PM GMT
- Create an account on the CSC online portal
- Complete the electronic application form- Upload the following documents:
- Identity proof (passport or ID card)
- Proof of nationality/residence
- Transcripts and diplomas translated into English
- Two academic letters of recommendation
- Impact plan/study project (see below)
- Why this Master's program is essential for your professional development
- How you will use these skills to contribute to the development of your country
- What concrete impact you envision (employment, research, public policies, community health...)
STEP 2: Application to King’s College London
Deadline: January 12, 2026
- Go to King’s College admissions portal
- Create an account and start a new application for the chosen Master’s program
- Complete all fields in the form
- Important: In the “Funding” section, check option 5 and enter the code CSSS2026
- Attach all required academic documents
Application Fee Waiver
Normally, applying to King’s College costs around £90-120.
You can request a free waiver!
- Download the waiver request form from King’s website
- Submit it before January 2, 2026
- This will save you unnecessary fees
STEP 3: After Submission – The Selection Process
Phase 1 – Preselection by King’s (January-March 2026)
King’s academic departments review your application based on:
- Academic excellence
- Relevance of your project
- Quality of your application
Phase 2 – Nomination to the CSC (March 10, 2026)
King’s nominates the top candidates to the CSC
Phase 3 – CSC Final Decision (July 2026)
The Commission evaluates:
- The potential impact on your home country
- Your commitment to return
- The overall quality of your profile
Required Documents – Complete Checklist
For the CSC:
- Completed online application form
- Copy of passport or ID card
- Proof of citizenship/permanent residence
- Bachelor's (and Master's if applicable) transcripts – translated into English
- Obtained diplomas – translated into English
- Two recent academic letters of recommendation
- Detailed study and impact plan
- Proof of English level (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)
- Updated academic CV
For King’s College London:
- Online application form
- Academic documents (same as for the CSC)
- Program-specific motivation letter
- Academic references
- Proof of English proficiency
- Application fee waiver form (optional but recommended)
Tips to Maximize Your Chances
1. Plan Ahead and Get Organized
- - Start your application at least 6 weeks before the deadlines
- - Request your letters of recommendation in advance
- - Get your official documents translated quickly
2. Craft a Strong Impact Plan
This is the element that makes the difference!
- Show:
- A deep understanding of health issues in your country
- Concrete and achievable objectives
- Your genuine passion and commitment
3. Ensure Consistency
- Make sure your two applications (CSC + King’s) tell the same story
- Use the same documents and information
4. Demonstrate Your Commitment to Your Country
- The scholarship aims to train leaders who will transform their home country
- Show how you will contribute to local development after your studies
Contact
King’s Doctoral College
Email : doctoral-college@kcl.ac.uk
Tags
Europe