Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships: requirements, benefits and deadline

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, funded by the UK government (FCDO), pay for a full-time taught master’s at a UK university for people from eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

Country
United Kingdom
Level
Taught master’s
Funding
Fully funded
Next deadline
20 October 2026, 16:00 BST (your national nominator may close earlier)

Official website

What it covers

  • Full tuition fees, agreed between the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and the UK university
  • A living allowance of £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month at universities in the London metropolitan area
  • An approved return airfare between your home country and the UK
  • A study travel grant for study-related travel in the UK or overseas
  • A child allowance for scholars who are widowed, divorced or single parents with children living with them in the UK (£622 per month for the first child, £154 for the second and third)

Who can apply

  • Be a citizen of, or have refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country (or be a British Protected Person), and be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
  • Eligible countries include Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia; the full list is on the CSC website
  • By September 2027, hold at least an upper second-class (2:1) first degree, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification
  • Be unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship
  • Not have studied at master’s level at a UK institution before; there is no age limit
  • Return home after the scholarship: switching to a Graduate or other visa to stay in the UK is not permitted

Key dates

CSC application deadline
20 October 2026, 16:00 BST, for study starting in September/October 2027
Nominator deadline
Set by your national nominating agency or NGO nominator, which may be earlier
Nominations to the CSC
By December 2026
Results
By July 2027, by email

How to apply

  1. Check that your country is on the CSC’s eligible list and find your national nominating agency (the main route) or an eligible NGO nominator.
  2. Apply to the nominator by its own deadline and meet any extra criteria it sets; the CSC does not accept direct applications.
  3. Complete the application on CSC Central by 20 October 2026, 16:00 BST, uploading your passport or ID, full transcripts and at least two references as PDFs.
  4. If selected from the nominations, you will be told by email by July 2027.

Open Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships listings on SeekFora

Frequently asked questions

What does the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships cover?

Full tuition fees, agreed between the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and the UK university. A living allowance of £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month at universities in the London metropolitan area. An approved return airfare between your home country and the UK. A study travel grant for study-related travel in the UK or overseas. A child allowance for scholars who are widowed, divorced or single parents with children living with them in the UK (£622 per month for the first child, £154 for the second and third).

Who can apply for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships?

Be a citizen of, or have refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country (or be a British Protected Person), and be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country. Eligible countries include Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia; the full list is on the CSC website. By September 2027, hold at least an upper second-class (2:1) first degree, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification. Be unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship. Not have studied at master’s level at a UK institution before; there is no age limit. Return home after the scholarship: switching to a Graduate or other visa to stay in the UK is not permitted.

When is the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships deadline?

20 October 2026, 16:00 BST (your national nominator may close earlier). CSC application deadline: 20 October 2026, 16:00 BST, for study starting in September/October 2027. Nominator deadline: Set by your national nominating agency or NGO nominator, which may be earlier. Nominations to the CSC: By December 2026. Results: By July 2027, by email.

How do I apply for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships?

Check that your country is on the CSC’s eligible list and find your national nominating agency (the main route) or an eligible NGO nominator. Apply to the nominator by its own deadline and meet any extra criteria it sets; the CSC does not accept direct applications. Complete the application on CSC Central by 20 October 2026, 16:00 BST, uploading your passport or ID, full transcripts and at least two references as PDFs. If selected from the nominations, you will be told by email by July 2027.

Sources: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK: Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships (checked 26 September 2026)

Compare dates across programmes in the scholarship deadlines calendar.

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