The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/2028 offer fully funded opportunities for talented students from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries to pursue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses and approved travel costs.
The Commonwealth Scholarships aim to equip outstanding graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to sustainable development in their home countries. Applications for the 2027/2028 academic year have now closed, but prospective applicants can review the requirements ahead of the next application cycle.
SUMMARY:
- Scholarship Sponsor: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Host Institutions: Approved UK Universities
- Scholarship Worth: Full Tuition + £1,712–£2,000 Monthly Stipend
- Number of Awards: Several
- Study Level: Postgraduate (Master’s)
- Eligible Countries: Selected Commonwealth Countries
- Study Destination: United Kingdom
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Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/2028 | Programme Overview
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) and funded by the FCDO.
The scholarships support one-year, full-time taught master’s programmes at approved UK universities, with studies beginning in September or October 2027.
Applicants are assessed based on academic merit, the quality of their study plans and the potential impact of their proposed studies on development in their home countries.
Eligible Development Themes
The scholarships support programmes aligned with six development themes:
- Science and technology for development.
- Strengthening health systems and capacity.
- Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Strengthening global peace, security and governance.
- Strengthening resilience and response to crises.
- Access, inclusion and opportunity.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, applicants must:
- Be citizens of or have refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country, or be British Protected Persons.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be available to commence studies in the UK in September/October 2027.
- Hold at least an upper second-class (2:1) undergraduate degree, or a lower second-class (2:2) degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a master’s degree, by September 2027.
- Demonstrate that they cannot afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
- Submit all required supporting documents in the specified format.
- Meet any additional requirements established by their nominating agency.
The CSC does not normally fund a second master’s degree. Applicants who have already studied at master’s level at a UK institution or received a Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship are not eligible.
Applicants must also commit to returning to their home countries after completing their studies.
Eligible Countries
The 2027/2028 scholarships are available to applicants from the following countries:
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 and Zambia.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants receive:
- Full tuition fees at an approved UK university.
- Monthly living allowance of £1,712, or £2,000 for students studying in London, at the published rates.
- Approved return airfare between their home country and the United Kingdom.
- Study travel grants for approved academic activities.
- Additional financial support for scholars with disabilities, where applicable.
- Child allowances for eligible single-parent scholars.
Child Allowances
Eligible scholars who are widowed, divorced or single parents may receive:
- £622 per month for the first child.
- £154 per month for the second and third children under 16.
These allowances are subject to the scholarship’s conditions and are intended to contribute towards family expenses rather than cover them entirely.
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Application Procedures
How to Apply: Interested applicants should follow these steps when the next application cycle opens:
- 1.) Visit the official Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships website and review the eligibility requirements.
- 2.) Identify suitable master’s programmes at approved UK universities and begin the relevant admission applications.
- 3.) Apply through an eligible nominating body, such as a national nominating agency or one of the selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies.
- 4.) Complete the online scholarship application through the CSC Central application portal.
- 5.) Upload the required academic documents, references and supporting statements.
- 6.) Submit the application before the CSC deadline and comply with any separate requirements or earlier deadlines set by the nominating agency.
Important: Applicants must complete both the CSC application and the relevant nominating agency’s application process. The CSC does not accept applications submitted outside its official portal.
Application Documents
Applicants must prepare:
- Valid passport or national identity card showing proof of citizenship.
- Complete academic transcripts for all higher education qualifications.
- At least two signed references, submitted in PDF format.
- Development Impact Statement.
- Detailed study plan.
- Personal statement.
- Academic, employment and leadership information.
The CSC requires references and transcripts to be uploaded directly through its application portal before the deadline.
Note: The CSC does not charge an application fee or require applicants to take IELTS specifically for the scholarship. However, individual UK universities may have their own English-language admission requirements.
Application Deadline
October 20, 2026, at 4:00 PM BST (Closed).
The application dates for the next scholarship cycle have not yet been announced.
