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Applications are now open for the Fully Funded Cranfield University Commonwealth Masters Scholarship 2026 for Low Income Countries
Cranfield University in the UK is welcoming applications from candidates from low to middle income countries for the prestigious Commonwealth Masters Scholarship.
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The fully funded Cranfield University Commonwealth Masters Scholarship covers the tuition fees of your program of choice, study grants, travel and airfare costs, and a generous £16,536 per year to cover living expenses. If you’ve been considering advancing your studies, you can find the top reasons to study your Masters abroad to reinforce your decision. To ensure your application stands out in this highly competitive pool, it’s crucial to know how to apply for scholarships successfully. This process will demand a strong personal narrative, so make sure you review tips on how to write a scholarship essay that wins.
In this post, we will discuss the details of the scholarship, its requirements, benefits, and the step-by-step application procedure for interested and qualified candidates.
Cranfield University Commonwealth Masters Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: United Kingdom (UK)
- Study Abroad: Study in UK
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: Commonwealth Countries (Low and Middle Income)
- Reward: Full Scholarship | £16,536 per year | Airfare | Child Allowance
- No IELTS Required (Candidates must meet Cranfield’s English language requirements)
- Application Deadline: October 14, 2025
Cranfield University Commonwealth Masters Scholarship Details
Cranfield University, as one of the participating institutions of the 2026 Commonwealth Masters Scholarship, is pleased to invite applications from interested candidates.
Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. The CSC looks for candidates who demonstrate the top qualities of scholarship winners to ensure their investment yields impactful future leaders.
This scholarship is intended for students facing financial barriers, and it helps to prevent reliance on private funding; however, if you are exploring supplementary options, here is the ultimate guide to student loans for international students. Before committing to a full Masters program in the UK, it is helpful to consult the top 10 questions to help you decide if studying abroad is right for you to ensure the UK context matches your goals.
Benefits of Commonwealth Masters Scholarship 2026
The Commonwealth Masters Scholarship provides a fully comprehensive package to ensure students can focus entirely on their studies without financial stress.
The scholarship covers
- Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor usually the cost of journeys made before your award is finally confirmed).
- Approved tuition fees: full fees are covered by agreement between the CSC and the UK university.
- Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,378 per month (rates quoted at 2025-2026 levels), amounting to £16,536 per year.
- Warm clothing allowance, where applicable.
- Study travel grant towards the costs of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
- If a Scholar has children and is widowed, divorced, or a single parent, child allowance of £590 per month for the first child, and £146 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if their children are living with them at the same address in the UK.
- If a Scholar shares that they have a disability, a full assessment of their needs and eligibility for additional financial support will be offered by the CSC.
Eligibility Requirements for Cranfield Commonwealth Masters Scholarship 2026
To be considered for the Cranfield Commonwealth Masters Scholarship, you must meet stringent criteria designed to ensure the scholarship supports the most deserving candidates from low and middle-income countries.
- 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. When preparing for your move to the UK, useful information about settling in, such as best student accommodation tips for moving abroad, is essential.
- Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in the following September/October. This commitment requires a fully-funded place, similar to seeking advice on how to win a fully funded undergraduate scholarship.
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship. Academic excellence is expected, but if you have any historical academic weaknesses, you should know the best way to explain a low GPA in personal statements to your nominator.
After successfully completing this degree, you may want to pursue a career in the UK, making it beneficial to learn how to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). Since the CSC uses UK-based criteria, reviewing resources on other major UK scholarship programs, like how to write a Chevening Scholarship essay that wins, can provide valuable insight into the expected quality of your application. You should also check if you require the GRE to study abroad for your chosen program, although many UK universities waive this requirement.
How to Apply for Cranfield University Commonwealth Masters Scholarship 2026 (Step by Step)
The application process for the Commonwealth Scholarship is unique and requires a dual approach: applying to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and securing a nomination from an approved body. The CSC does not accept direct applications.
- View Cranfield Programs: Click the Link below to go to the Cranfield University scholarship website and identify the Masters program you wish to pursue.
- Apply to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC): Complete the online application form via the CSC’s Electronic Application System (EAS).
- Secure a Nominator: As well as applying to the CSC, applicants must apply to a nominator. You must apply to one of the following nominating bodies in the first instance:
- National nominating agencies – this is the main route of application.
- Selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies.
- Crucial Nomination Steps:
- Each nominator oversees its own selection process and may have additional eligibility criteria. Applicants must check with the nominator for their specific advice and rules for applying, and their own eligibility criteria.
- Nominators may set their own closing dates for applications, which may be before the CSC deadline.
- Participating nominators put forward an agreed number of candidates to the CSC for consideration.
- Preparation: This nomination stage is vital. You will likely need strong letters of support, so learn how to ask for a recommendation letter for a scholarship well in advance. Your nomination application must be highly persuasive; consult this A-Z guide for writing “why I deserve this scholarship” essay to articulate your case. To manage the demanding dual application process and varied deadlines, implementing focused study methods, like the stunning Pomodoro Technique, is highly recommended.
- Selection and Outcome: Selections are made from the pool of nominations. Candidates are asked to note that a nomination is no guarantee of selection. Applicants can expect to hear the outcome of their applications by July. Full details can be found on the Commonwealth website.
Application Deadline: October 14, 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the final deadline for the scholarship application? The deadline to submit your application to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) is October 14, 2025. However, you must also adhere to your nominator’s internal deadline, which is usually earlier.
Does the scholarship require a separate university application to Cranfield? Yes, while not explicitly mentioned as a required step in this guide, all candidates must secure an offer of admission from Cranfield University for their chosen Masters program in addition to applying to the CSC and a nominator.
What is the role of the nominator in the application process? The nominator (e.g., a national nominating agency) is the only body authorized to recommend you to the CSC. The CSC does not accept direct applications, meaning you must be nominated to be considered.
Are the tuition fees paid directly to the university? Yes, the approved tuition fees are paid directly to Cranfield University by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
Is the child allowance benefit available to all scholars with children? No, the child allowance is specifically available to scholars who have children and are widowed, divorced, or a single parent, provided their children are living with them in the UK.
When will applicants be notified of the outcome? Applicants can generally expect to hear the final outcome of their applications by July of the entry year (2026).
What is the minimum stipend amount provided? The stipend (living allowance) is £1,378 per month, totaling £16,536 per year (based on 2025-2026 rates).
Can I apply if I am already studying in the UK? No, the scholarship is typically aimed at candidates who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. You must be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country at the time of application.
Which UK government body funds this scholarship? The scholarship is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
What happens if I miss my nominator’s internal deadline? If you miss your nominator’s internal deadline, you will not be nominated to the CSC, and your application will not be considered, regardless of the CSC’s official deadline.
