Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships for the 2026/27 academic year, offering talented individuals from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries the opportunity to pursue a full-time taught Master’s degree at a UK university. These fully funded scholarships, supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), cover tuition, airfare, living expenses, and more, aligning with six development themes to foster sustainable development.

Eligible candidates, including citizens or refugees of listed Commonwealth countries, must apply by December 2025 through the CSC Central system and a nominator, with studies beginning in September/October 2026. There is no application fee, ensuring accessibility for those unable to afford UK education. Check Commonwealth PhD scholarships here. You can also check BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here. 

Key Details

• Funding: Fully funded (tuition, airfare, living allowance, study travel grant, warm clothing allowance, child allowance if applicable)
• Study Level: Full-time taught Master’s degree (one-year programs, MBAs not funded)
• Application Deadline: December 2025 (nominator deadlines may vary)
• Application Fee: None
• Start Date: September/October 2026
• For Commonwealth PhD Scholarships: Click here

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, you must:

• 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.
• Be available to start studies in the UK by September 2026.
• Hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree) by September 2026.
• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
• Provide all required supporting documentation in the specified format.

Note for Disabled Applicants: If you have a disability and do not meet the 2:1 degree requirement due to educational barriers, you may be considered for a contextualised nomination through the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum (CDPF). Contact CDPF for details.

Eligible Countries:

• 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.

Applications from Small Island Developing States may be considered under a specific Time Limited Programme.

Check this: The Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project 2025

Scholarship Benefits

Each scholarship covers:

• Airfare: Approved round-trip flights from your home country to the UK.
• Tuition Fees: Full fees covered through CSC agreements with UK universities.
• Living Allowance: £1,452 per month, or £1,781 for universities in the London metropolitan area (rates subject to change).
• Warm Clothing Allowance: Where applicable.
• Study Travel Grant: For study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
• Child Allowance: For widowed, divorced, or single parents: £622/month for the first child, £154/month for the second and third children under 16 living at the same UK address.
• Disability Support: A needs assessment and additional financial support for scholars with disabilities.

Note: Family allowances are a contribution, not full coverage. Scholars must supplement costs for family members in the UK.

Also Check: National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic (Fully Funded)

Choosing a University and Course

• Research Options: Use resources like Study UK, Postgrad.com, Prospects, UCAS Postgraduate, or Discover Uni to explore UK universities and courses.
• List Preferences: Include three preferred universities and courses in your application, ranked by preference, with reasons for your choices.
• CSC’s Role: The CSC makes the final decision on your institution and may overrule preferences based on course suitability and value for money.

Important: Scholarships fund one-year taught Master’s programs only (MBAs are not funded). Ensure your chosen course aligns with CSC development themes.

Also check: Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarships 2025-2026

Application Process

In the application, provide:

• Academic History: List all undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.
• Publications and Prizes: Include up to 10 relevant entries.
• Employment History: Explain how your experience supports your proposed study.
• References: Provide details of three referees (one must be a current employer, if applicable). Two references must be uploaded with the application.
• Development Impact Statement:
  1. Connect your study to global, national, and local development issues and a CSC theme.
  2. Explain how you’ll apply new skills post-scholarship.
  3. Outline expected development outcomes, timelines, and beneficiaries.
  4. Describe how your work’s impact can be measured.
• Award Objectives: State your goals and how the scholarship will help achieve them.
• Career Plans: Detail short-term (5 years post-scholarship) and long-term career goals.
• Study Plan: Provide a detailed plan of your proposed study.
• Personal Statement: Highlight your background, contributions, and motivation to impact your home country.
• Voluntary Activities and Leadership: Summarize your engagement and leadership experiences.

Also check: Honjo International Scholarship Foundation 2025 in Japan (Fully Funded)

Selection Process

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Candidate Merit: Academic excellence and experience.
• Research Proposal Quality: Strength and relevance of your study plan.
• Development Impact: Potential to contribute to your home country’s development.

Timeline:

• December 2025: Nominators submit candidates to CSC.
• July 2026: Applicants notified of outcomes via email (check all email folders, including spam/junk).
• Post-Selection: If selected, you’ll receive a Notification of Award, followed by a Confirmation of Award after meeting all conditions (e.g., university admission, Health and Disability Form).

Note: A nomination does not guarantee selection. Respond promptly to CSC emails, as offers may be withdrawn if unanswered.