About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) has opened applications for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28, one of the United Kingdom’s leading fully funded scholarship opportunities for international students.
Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the programme supports talented and motivated individuals from eligible low and middle-income Commonwealth countries to pursue full-time taught Master’s degrees at universities across the United Kingdom.
The scholarship is designed to support individuals with strong academic ability, leadership potential and a commitment to contributing to the development of their home countries. Successful applicants are expected to use the knowledge, skills and experience gained during their studies to contribute to social, economic and environmental progress after returning home.
Applications are open for programmes beginning in September or October 2027. The deadline for submitting applications through the CSC system is 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST.
About the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship forms part of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP), which supports international education, collaboration and partnerships across Commonwealth countries.
The programme is more than a source of financial assistance for postgraduate education. It is designed to invest in individuals who demonstrate academic potential and the capacity to become future leaders, innovators and changemakers.
A key focus of the scholarship is supporting applicants who would otherwise be unable to afford postgraduate study in the United Kingdom.
Through the programme, scholars are given the opportunity to access advanced education and professional development while building the knowledge and expertise needed to contribute to sustainable development in their countries and communities.
CSC Development Themes
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are awarded in areas that align with the six CSC Development Themes.
These themes support research and academic study that can contribute to addressing important development challenges in areas such as:
Health and wellbeing
Science and technology
Education
Governance and public institutions
Crisis resilience and response
Inclusive economic development
Applicants are expected to demonstrate how their proposed studies and future career plans relate to development priorities and the potential needs of their home countries.
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is open to individuals who are citizens of, or have recognised refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country and who are permanently resident in an eligible country.
Applicants must be available to begin their academic studies in the United Kingdom in September 2027.
To be considered, candidates are generally expected to meet the following requirements:
Be a citizen of, or have refugee status from, an eligible Commonwealth country
Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
Be available to begin studies in the UK in September 2027
Hold a first degree equivalent to at least a UK Upper Second-Class (2:1) Honours degree by September 2027
Demonstrate that they would be unable to afford postgraduate study in the UK without financial support
Submit all required documents in the prescribed format
Applicants with a lower second-class qualification may still be considered if they hold an additional relevant postgraduate qualification.
There is no age limit for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships.
The CSC also encourages applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and provides opportunities for persons with disabilities through its contextualised nomination pathway.
In general, the CSC does not provide funding to individuals who have previously received a Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship or completed a Master’s degree in the United Kingdom, except where exceptional justification is provided.
What Does the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship Cover?
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship provides extensive financial support to help successful scholars focus on their academic studies and professional development.
The funding package includes:
Full tuition fees, paid directly to the host university
Return economy airfare between the scholar’s home country and the United Kingdom
A monthly living allowance of £1,712
An increased monthly allowance of £2,000 for scholars studying at universities within the London metropolitan area
Study travel grants for approved academic travel within the UK or overseas
Additional financial support for eligible scholars with children who meet the required conditions
Additional disability-related financial support, subject to an individual needs assessment
Eligible single parents, widowed or divorced scholars whose children live with them in the United Kingdom may also qualify for additional child allowances.
The comprehensive funding package makes the programme one of the most significant opportunities for eligible international students seeking fully funded postgraduate study in the UK.
How Does the Application Process Work?
Applications must be submitted through the CSC Central online application system.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission does not accept applications or supporting documents submitted by email or through alternative methods.
Applicants are encouraged to prepare their responses carefully before completing the online application. Once an application has been submitted, it cannot be edited.
The CSC Central system uses two-factor authentication (2FA). Applicants should therefore keep their application reference number and passcode secure and accessible throughout the application process.
Apply Through an Approved Nominator
In addition to submitting an application through CSC Central, applicants must also apply through an approved nominating body.
The two recognised nomination routes are:
National nominating agencies
Selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies
The CSC does not accept direct applications without nomination.
Each nominating organisation manages its own selection process and may have additional eligibility requirements, application procedures or separate deadlines.
For this reason, applicants should identify their appropriate nominator early and carefully review the specific requirements and deadlines set by that organisation.
Selection Process
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship selection process is competitive and involves several stages.
Applicants first submit their applications through the required application and nomination channels. Nominators then review applications and select candidates to put forward to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
Selected candidates are expected to be submitted to the CSC by December 2026, after which the Commission carries out its final assessment and selection process.
It is important to understand that receiving a nomination does not guarantee that an applicant will ultimately receive a scholarship.
Applicants should regularly check their email accounts, including spam and junk folders, for updates or requests for additional information.
Scholarship offers may be withdrawn if successful candidates fail to respond within the required timeframe.
Important Dates
Prospective applicants should take note of the following key dates:
Applications Open: Currently open
CSC Application Deadline: 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST
Nominator Submission Period: December 2026
Study Commencement: September/October 2027
Final Results: Expected by July 2027
Applicants are encouraged to begin their preparations as early as possible, particularly because the nomination process may involve separate deadlines that are earlier than the CSC application deadline.
Scholar Commitments and Conditions
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are closely linked to the goal of sustainable development in eligible Commonwealth countries.
Successful scholars are expected to return to their home countries after completing their studies and apply their knowledge, skills and expertise to contribute to national and community development.
The scholarship is intended to support individuals who will use their education to create positive impact in their countries after graduation.
How to apply