The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships for the 2027/28 academic year are now open. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC), these awards support talented applicants from eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries to complete a full-time taught Master’s degree at a UK university.
According to the official CSC programme page, applications close at 16:00 British Summer Time (BST) on Tuesday 20 October 2026. Study begins in the UK in September/October 2027.
Scholarship overview
- Host: Approved UK universities with a CSC part-funding agreement
- Funder: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), via the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC)
- Level: Full-time taught Master’s (one year; Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees are not funded)
- Funding: Fully funded (tuition, airfare, living stipend, and related allowances)
- Who can apply: Citizens or recognised refugees of eligible developing Commonwealth countries (or British Protected Persons) who are permanently resident in an eligible country
- CSC application deadline: 16:00 BST on Tuesday 20 October 2026
- Programme start: September/October 2027
What the scholarship covers
Each Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship provides the following support, as published by the CSC:
- Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of the award (dependants’ fares are not covered)
- Full tuition fees, covered by agreement between the CSC and the UK university
- Monthly stipend (living allowance): £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels on the official page)
- Study travel grant towards study-related travel within the UK or overseas
- Child allowance (where eligible): if you have children and are widowed, divorced, or a single parent, £622 per month for the first child and £154 per month for the second and third child under age 16 living with you in the UK
- Disability-related support: a needs assessment and possible additional financial support if you share a disability with the CSC
The CSC notes that family allowances are only a contribution toward family costs in the UK. Scholars must be able to top up support for any accompanying family members.
Eligible fields and CSC development themes
Awards support taught Master’s study linked to sustainable development. Applications are considered under the six CSC development themes:
- Science and technology for development
- Improving population health, health systems and capacity
- Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship
- Strengthening global peace, security and governance
- Strengthening resilience and response to crises
- Access, inclusion and opportunity
You may study at any approved UK university or higher education institution with which the CSC has a part-funding agreement for a specific programme. The CSC funds one-year taught Master’s programmes only and does not fund MBA degrees. You should list up to three preferred universities and courses, in order of preference, and apply for admission to those programmes separately because many courses have their own hard deadlines.
Who can apply
To be considered, applicants must meet all of the following CSC criteria:
- Be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
- Be available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2027
- By September 2027, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s)
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
- Submit all required supporting documentation in the required format by the deadline
There is no age limit for CSC applications. The CSC prefers applicants who have already completed their undergraduate degree and would not normally fund a second Master’s. Applicants who have already studied at Master’s level at a UK institution, or who have already received a Commonwealth Scholarship at Master’s level, are not eligible. All Scholars commit to returning home after the award to contribute to development in their home country.
Eligible countries
Only candidates from the eligible countries listed by the CSC can apply for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships:
Bangladesh; Belize; Botswana; 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; Saint Helena; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sierra Leone; Solomon Islands; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Tanzania; Togo; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uganda; Vanuatu; Zambia.
In line with Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024 commitments, the CSC particularly welcomes applications from Small Island Developing States.
How to apply
There are two parallel tracks. You must complete both:
- Apply to the CSC through CSC Central, the official online application system. The CSC cannot accept applications or documents submitted outside CSC Central.
- Apply to a nominator. Nominators are national nominating agencies (the main route) or selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies. The CSC does not accept direct applications without a nominator.
Each nominator runs its own selection process and may set an earlier closing date and extra eligibility rules. Nominators put forward an agreed number of candidates to the CSC by December 2026. A nomination does not guarantee selection. Applicants can expect outcome emails by July 2027.
Required supporting documents (uploaded in CSC Central by the deadline) include:
- Proof of citizenship or refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country (valid passport or national ID showing photograph, date of birth, and citizenship)
- Full higher education transcripts (with certified English translations if needed), including to-date transcripts for current study
- At least two references in PDF format, signed and on institutional letterhead or an email that clearly shows the sender’s details
The CSC does not charge an application fee and does not require an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test for the scholarship application itself. You must still meet any English language requirements set by your chosen UK university.
Selection criteria
Applications are assessed on:
- Candidate merit (including academic experience)
- Quality of the study proposal
- Potential impact on the development of the candidate’s home country
Your Development Impact statement, plan of study, and career plans should clearly connect to these criteria and to one of the six CSC development themes.
Key dates
- Applications open: Tuesday 8 September 2026
- CSC Central deadline: 16:00 BST, Tuesday 20 October 2026
- Nominator deadlines: often earlier than the CSC deadline (check your national agency)
- Nominations to CSC: by December 2026
- Outcomes: typically by July 2027
- Study start: September/October 2027
Frequently asked questions
Is this scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The CSC package covers full tuition fees, approved airfare, a monthly living stipend, a study travel grant, and certain child or disability-related allowances where eligible.
Can I apply directly to the CSC without a nominator?
No. For agency-nominated Master’s awards you must apply through CSC Central and also through an approved nominator. The CSC does not accept direct applications for this programme.
Does the CSC fund MBA degrees?
No. The CSC funds one-year taught Master’s programmes only and does not fund Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees.
Do I need IELTS for the scholarship?
The CSC does not require candidates to take an IELTS test for the scholarship application. Your UK university may still require proof of English for admission.
When do studies begin?
Selected Scholars begin full-time Master’s study in the UK in September/October 2027.
Where do I get official details?
Always verify deadlines, eligible countries, and nominator rules on the official Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships page before you apply.
