Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28 in the UK
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28 support eligible candidates from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries to undertake full-time taught Master’s study in the UK. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the scholarship covers approved tuition fees, return airfare, a monthly living allowance, and study-related travel support. The CSC application deadline is 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST.
Quick Overview
Programme: Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
Opportunity Type: Master’s Scholarship
Study Destination: United Kingdom
Study Level: One-year, full-time taught Master’s degree
Funding Organization: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Application Opening: 8 September 2026
Deadline: 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST
Financial Support: Tuition fees, return airfare, monthly stipend, and study travel grant
About the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are offered through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK.
The programme supports candidates from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. Scholars undertake full-time taught Master’s programmes at approved UK universities or higher education institutions.
The scholarships are offered under the six CSC development themes. Scholars are expected to return to their home countries after completing their awards and contribute to development there.
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Benefits and Financial Coverage
Each Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship provides confirmed financial support for study in the UK.
✓ Approved airfare from the scholar’s home country to the UK and return airfare at the end of the award
✓ Full approved tuition fees
✓ Monthly living allowance of £1,712
✓ Monthly living allowance of £2,000 for scholars studying at universities in the London metropolitan area
✓ Study travel grant towards eligible study-related travel in the UK or overseas
Additional financial support may apply in specific circumstances.
A scholar who is widowed, divorced, or a single parent may receive a child allowance when the stated conditions are met. The current rates are £622 per month for the first child and £154 per month for the second and third children under 16.
Scholars who disclose a disability may also receive a full assessment of their needs and eligibility for additional financial support.
Eligible Study Programmes
The CSC funds one-year taught Master’s programmes.
Scholarships are available for full-time study only. Scholars cannot undertake another course of study at the same time.
The CSC does not fund:
• MBA degrees
• An additional qualification beyond the degree for which the scholarship was awarded
Applicants are advised to identify three preferred universities and courses and list them in order of preference.
The CSC makes the final decision regarding the institution of study.
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Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for a Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship, applicants must:
• Be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country, 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 begin academic study 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 together with a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master’s degree.
• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
• Submit all required supporting documentation in the required format.
There is no age limit for CSC applications.
The CSC would not normally fund a second Master’s degree. Applicants seeking funding for a second Master’s must explain why they wish to undertake the additional degree.
Applicants who have already studied at Master’s level at a UK institution, or have previously received a Commonwealth Scholarship at Master’s level, are not eligible.
Eligible Countries
Only candidates from the eligible countries listed by the CSC may apply:
• 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
Required Supporting Documents
Applications must contain all required supporting documents by the closing date.
Applicants must upload:
• Proof of citizenship or refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country, such as a valid passport or national identity card showing the required information.
• Full transcripts covering all higher education qualifications, including current transcripts for programmes still being studied.
• Certified translations when transcripts are not in English.
• References from at least two individuals in PDF format.
References must be signed and either provided on institutional letterhead or through an email clearly showing the sender’s details.
Applications missing required documents by the deadline will be considered ineligible.
IELTS Requirement
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission states that it does not require candidates to take an IELTS test.
Applicants must, however, take the necessary steps to apply for admission to their preferred universities and review the relevant university admission requirements.
Application Process
Candidates must complete both the CSC scholarship process and the relevant nominating process.
Applicants should:
• Complete the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship application through CSC Central.
• Apply through an eligible nominator.
• Review any additional eligibility requirements established by the nominator.
• Follow the nominator’s own application deadline, which may differ from the CSC deadline.
• Apply for admission to preferred UK universities and courses.
The main nomination route is through national nominating agencies. Selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies may also participate as nominators.
The CSC does not accept direct applications without nomination.
Applicants should note that nomination does not guarantee selection.
Selection Process
Applications are considered according to the CSC’s published selection criteria.
These include:
• Candidate merit, including academic experience
• Quality of the research proposal
• Potential impact on the development of the applicant’s home country
Applicants can expect to receive the outcome of their applications by July 2027.
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Application Deadline
The application timetable for the 2027/28 academic year is:
Applications open: 8 September 2026
CSC application deadline: 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST
Nominating organisations may establish their own application deadlines. Applicants must therefore follow both the CSC deadline and the deadline specified by their nominator.
The CSC does not charge applicants to apply for its scholarships or fellowships through its online application system.
Official Link
Submit your application through the official application link below.
