Commonwealth Scholarships UK are prestigious fully funded scholarships offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK, in partnership with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). These awards enable talented individuals from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries to pursue full-time taught master’s programmes at UK universities.
For recipients, the Commonwealth Scholarships open doors to world-class British education, immersive research environments, and a global network of scholars. Scholars gain the academic credentials and leadership capacity to drive sustainable development in their home countries.
Scholarship Benefits
Commonwealth Scholarships UK package includes:
- Full payment of tuition and examination fees
- Approved round-trip airfare from the scholar’s home country to the UK and return
- Stipend (living allowance) throughout the scholar’s stay
- Warm clothing allowance, where applicable
- Study-related travel grant (within UK or overseas)
- Child allowances for scholars with dependants (under certain conditions)
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Commonwealth Scholarships UK, applicants must meet all of the following:
- Be a citizen of or have refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country
- Be permanently resident in that eligible Commonwealth country
- Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours or equivalent
- Be unable to finance the UK master’s degree without the scholarship
- Be ready to begin full-time study in the UK in September/October of the scholarship year
Eligible Countries
Candidates must be citizens of, or hold refugee status in, one of the eligible Commonwealth low- and middle-income countries to apply for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships UK. The eligible countries are:
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; 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.
Application Process
The application procedures for the Commonwealth Scholarships are as follows:
- Nomination / Application via National Agency – Applicants must be nominated by their country’s National Nominating Agency, or by an approved organization
- Online Application – Using the CSC’s application system, fill in personal data, proposed UK university and course, development impact, etc.
- Submit Supporting Documentation – Upload transcripts, degree certificate, references, etc.
- University Application (in parallel or prior) – Many UK universities require students to apply for admission in parallel.
- Review & Shortlisting – The CSC and partner institutions shortlist candidates
- Final Selection & Offer – Offers are made to selected applicants, including the scholarship
From Our Channel
Required Documents
Applicants for the Commonwealth Scholarships UK must provide:
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates (with translations if needed)
- Proof of citizenship (passport or equivalent)
- Two references (academic or professional)
- Statement of purpose / development impact statement
- Evidence of financial need (if required)
- Offer letter from a UK university (depending on process)
Selection Process
The selection process for Commonwealth Scholarships UK is competitive and follows these stages:
- Eligibility Screening (October 2025): Applications are first checked to ensure they meet basic requirements and completeness
- Independent Review (Oct – Nov 2025): Eligible applications are assessed by subject experts and review panels based on academic merit, leadership potential, and development impact
- Shortlisting (November 2025): National nominating agencies and the CSC jointly shortlist candidates for final consideration
- Final Decision (December 2025): Successful candidates are notified of scholarship offers
Scholarship Duration
The Commonwealth Scholarships UK typically last for the duration of the taught master’s programme, which is usually one year.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Commonwealth Scholarships UK 2026/27 is 14 October 2025 at 16:00 BST/GMT.
