The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is one of the major UK scholarship programmes for students from eligible Commonwealth countries who want to complete a taught Master’s degree in the UK.
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For the 2027/28 academic year, applications open on 8 September 2026 and close at 4:00 pm BST on 20 October 2026. The scholarship is intended for students who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK and who can show how their proposed study will contribute to development in their home country.
There is one detail applicants need to understand early: applying through the CSC is only one part of the process. You must also apply to an approved nominator, and each nominator can have its own deadline and selection rules.
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship 2027/28 at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship |
| Study level | Taught Master’s |
| Study location | United Kingdom |
| Study period | September/October 2027 |
| Application opens | 8 September 2026 |
| CSC deadline | 20 October 2026, 4:00 pm BST |
| Application system | CSC Central |
| Application route | CSC plus an approved nominator |
| Age limit | No age limit |
| Eligible applicants | Citizens or refugees from eligible Commonwealth countries |
| Study format | Full time |
| Tuition | Fully covered |
| Living allowance | £1,712 per month |
| London living allowance | £2,000 per month |
| Airfare | Covered |
| Study travel | Grant available |
| MBA | Not funded |
| Award outcome | Expected by July 2027 |
About the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship?
The scholarship is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. It supports candidates from eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries who want to study a full time taught Master’s programme at a UK university. The wider aim is to help graduates gain skills they can use to contribute to development when they return home.
The scholarship falls under the CSC’s development themes. Your proposed course and your plans after graduation therefore need to make sense within a development context. .
Benefits of the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
Before you look at the benefits, you should remember that the scholarship is for one degree and funding cannot be extended to complete another qualification. The benefits include:
- Full approved tuition fees
- Return airfare between their home country and the UK
- A monthly living allowance of £1,712
- A monthly allowance of £2,000 for scholars studying at universities in the London metropolitan area
- A study travel grant for approved study related travel
- Additional support may be available for eligible scholars with disabilities
- Family allowances may be available to eligible single parents, widows or divorced scholars with children living with them in the UK. The family allowance is £622 per month for the first child and £154 per month for the second and third child under 16, subject to the conditions in the scholarship guidance. The CSC also makes clear that this is only a contribution towards family costs.
Who can apply for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship?
The eligible countries include:
- 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
- The CSC also welcomes applications from Small Island Developing States.
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship eligibility requirements
Before spending time on the application form, check these requirements carefully.
Citizenship and residence
You must:
- Be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country, or have refugee status there, or be a British Protected Person.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be available to begin your UK studies in September 2027.
Academic requirement
By September 2027, you must normally hold:
- A first degree equivalent to at least a UK upper second class, or 2:1, honours standard; or
- A lower second class degree together with a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master’s degree.
There is a special route for some disabled applicants who do not meet the usual 2:1 requirement. The CSC states that such candidates will be considered through the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum nominator where they can show potential to contribute to international development.
Financial need
Applicants must be unable to afford UK study without the scholarship. This requirement matters. Your application should make it clear that the scholarship is necessary for you to undertake the proposed study.
Age
There is no age limit for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship. The CSC does advise applicants to check whether their employer has any age related rules affecting study leave.
Previous Master’s study
The CSC on a normal note does not fund a second Master’s degree. If you are applying for a second Master’s, you must explain why another Master’s degree is necessary. Anyone who has already studied at Master’s level at a UK institution, or who has already received a Commonwealth Scholarship at Master’s level, will not be considered eligible.
What courses does the scholarship fund?
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is for one year of full time taught Master’s study. MBA programmes are not funded under this scholarship. Applicants must clearly state the qualification they are seeking in their application.
Your university and course also need to be approved for Commonwealth Scholarship funding. The CSC maintains a list of UK universities and programmes covered by its part funding agreements. You should therefore check the university and course before completing the scholarship form.
How the university choice works
Applicants are advised to list 3 universities and courses in order of preference. This is worth taking seriously. The CSC make the final decision about where you study and can change the preference if necessary. Listing only one university creates an avoidable risk if the CSC cannot place you there. You should also apply separately for admission to your preferred universities.
The scholarship application does not replace the university admission process. The CSC warns that if you are selected for the scholarship but have not applied for or secured admission to a suitable course, you will not be able to proceed with the scholarship.
Documents required for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
Proof of citizenship
Upload a valid passport or national identity card showing your:
- Photograph
- Date of birth
- Country of citizenship
Academic transcripts
You must provide full transcripts covering your higher education qualifications. If you are still studying, your current transcript should also be included. Transcripts that are incomplete or missing pages can result in the application being treated as ineligible. Certified translations are required where transcripts are not in English.
References
At least 2 references are required.
They must be:
- Signed
- In PDF format
- On institutional letterhead, or sent from an email address that clearly identifies the referee
- Uploaded through the application system before the deadline. The CSC will not accept references sent separately after the deadline.
What information will you provide in the application?
You will be asked to provide information about:
- Undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications
- Publications and prizes, with up to 10 entries
- Employment history
- How your work experience relates to your proposed UK course
- Your referees
- Development impact
- Award objectives
- Your 5 year career plan
- Long term career plans
- Your study plan
- Personal background
- Voluntary work
- Leadership experience
How to apply for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship 2027/28
Step 1: Check your eligibility
Confirm your nationality, residence, academic qualification, financial situation and intended course. Do this before creating the application.
Step 2: Find suitable UK courses
Choose courses that fit your academic background and your development plans. The CSC recommends listing 3 university and course choices. You should also begin the separate university admission process early.
Step 3: Identify your nominator
This is where some applicants make a costly mistake. The CSC does not accept direct applications for this scholarship. You must apply to an approved nominator as well as completing the CSC application. There are 2 types of nominators:
- National nominating agencies
- Selected NGOs and charitable organisations
Step 4: Prepare your documents
Get your passport or national ID, transcripts and references ready. Ask your referees early. Waiting until the final week gives you very little room if a referee is unavailable.
Step 5: Create your CSC Central account
Applications for the 2027/28 academic year open on 8 September 2026 through CSC Central. The system uses two factor authentication. You will need access to a smartphone or a second email account during registration and login.
Step 6: Prepare your answers before entering them
The CSC recommends preparing your answers outside the online system before adding them to the application. This is sensible, especially for the Development Impact statement and study plan. Save your work regularly. Refreshing the browser can cause unsaved information to disappear, and submitted applications cannot be edited.
Step 7: Submit before the deadline
The CSC deadline is 20 October 2026 at 4:00 pm BST.Do not plan to submit at the last minute. The CSC expects heavy traffic near the closing date and does not accept late applications.
Step 8: Complete the nominator application
Your CSC application alone is not enough. Follow the instructions given by your national agency or other approved nominator. Their closing date may be earlier than the CSC deadline.
How are Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship applications selected?
The selection process looks at 3 main areas:
- Candidate merit, including academic experience
- Quality of the proposed study or research plan
- Potential development impact in the applicant’s home country
The CSC advises applicants to connect their answers directly to these criteria. Nominators first select candidates and send their nominations to the CSC. Nominations are expected to reach the CSC by December 2026. Being nominated does not guarantee that you will receive the scholarship. Final outcomes are expected by July 2027.
Important dates for the 2027/28 Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 8 September 2026 | CSC application opens |
| 20 October 2026 | CSC application closes at 4:00 pm BST |
| December 2026 | Nominators submit nominations to CSC |
| September/October 2027 | Scholarship study begins |
| July 2027 | Applicants can expect scholarship outcomes |
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The scholarship covers approved tuition fees, return airfare and a monthly living allowance. A study travel grant is also included.
When does the 2027 Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship open?
Applications open on 8 September 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The CSC deadline is 20 October 2026 at 4:00 pm BST. Your nominator may have an earlier deadline.
Can Nigerians apply?
Yes. Nigeria is included in the list of eligible Commonwealth countries.
Is there an age limit?
No. The CSC states that there is no age limit for applications.
Can I apply if I have a lower second class degree?
A lower second class degree can qualify when accompanied by a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master’s degree. Disabled applicants may also have access to a contextualised route under the conditions stated by the CSC.
Can I apply for an MBA?
No. The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship funds one year taught Master’s programmes and does not fund MBA degrees.
Can I apply for a second Master’s degree?
The CSC normally does not fund a second Master’s. If you are applying for one, you must provide a clear reason for doing so. Applicants who have already studied at Master’s level at a UK institution or previously received a Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship are not eligible.
Do I apply directly to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission?
No. You must apply through CSC Central and also apply to an approved nominator.
How many universities should I list?
The CSC recommends listing 3 universities and courses in order of preference.
Do I need to secure university admission before applying for the scholarship?
You should apply to your preferred universities before submitting the scholarship application. If you are selected without having applied for or secured admission to a suitable course, your scholarship may not be able to proceed.
Does the scholarship pay tuition fees?
Yes. Approved tuition fees are covered through an agreement between the CSC and the UK university.
How much is the Commonwealth scholarship monthly stipend?
The current rate in the supplied guidance is £1,712 per month. Scholars at universities in the London metropolitan area receive £2,000 per month.
Does the scholarship cover flights?
Yes. Approved airfare from the scholar’s home country to the UK and the return journey at the end of the award are covered.
Can I work while receiving the scholarship?
Paid employment requires prior approval from the CSC.
Can I remain in the UK after the scholarship?
The scholarship requires scholars to return home before their student visa expires. The CSC cannot provide permission for scholars to remain or return to the UK for work or postdoctoral study after the award.
Does the CSC require IELTS?
No. The CSC itself does not require candidates to take IELTS. Your chosen university may have its own English language requirement, so check its admission rules separately.
How many references are required?
At least 2 references must be uploaded with the application. The form also asks applicants to provide details of 3 referees, with one being a current employer where applicable.
When will applicants know the result?
Applicants can expect to hear the outcome by July 2027.
Is there an application fee?
No. The CSC does not charge applicants to apply through its online scholarship application system.
