Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28
One-year taught Master’s study in the United Kingdom • Fully funded
Applications are open for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Eligible candidates from listed low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries can pursue a one-year, full-time taught Master’s degree at an approved UK university with tuition, return airfare and a monthly living allowance covered.
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28 Overview
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK administers this agency-nominated programme for candidates who could not otherwise afford postgraduate study in the UK. Awards support full-time taught Master’s study beginning in September or October 2027 and must relate to one of the CSC’s six development themes.
Funding and Benefits
- Approved tuition fees: fully covered through the CSC’s agreement with the UK university.
- Return airfare: approved travel from the scholar’s home country to the UK and return after the award.
- Monthly stipend: £1,712, or £2,000 for scholars at universities in the London metropolitan area, at current official rates.
- Study travel grant: support toward approved study-related travel in the UK or overseas.
- Single-parent allowance: where conditions are met, £622 per month for the first child and £154 per month for the second and third child under 16 living with the scholar in the UK.
- Disability support: an individual needs assessment and possible additional financial support.
The official programme page does not list accommodation as a separately paid benefit. The living allowance is intended to support personal maintenance.
Who Is Eligible?
- Be a citizen of, have refugee status from, or be a British Protected Person connected to an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be available to begin UK study by September 2027.
- By September 2027, hold at least a 2:1-equivalent first degree, or a 2:2-equivalent degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification, normally a Master’s.
- Be unable to afford UK study without the scholarship.
- Submit every required supporting document in the prescribed format.
There is no CSC age limit. The award normally does not fund a second Master’s degree; applicants seeking one must justify it. Applicants who have studied at Master’s level in the UK or already held a Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship are ineligible.
Eligible 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; Zambia.
Study Restrictions
The CSC funds one-year taught Master’s programmes only. MBA and research Master’s programmes are not funded. Courses must support a CSC development theme, and the scholarship is tenable only at approved UK institutions with a CSC part-funding agreement.
IELTS and English-Test Requirements
The CSC does not require IELTS or another English-language certificate for the scholarship application. A selected UK university may impose its own English-language admission requirement, so applicants must check the chosen course rules separately.
Required Documents
- Valid passport or national identity card showing photograph, date of birth and eligible citizenship, or proof of qualifying refugee status.
- Complete transcripts for every higher-education qualification, including all pages and current transcripts for ongoing study; certified English translations are required where applicable.
- At least two signed references in PDF format, on institutional letterhead or in an email clearly showing the sender’s details.
- Application-form information covering academic qualifications, employment, publications/prizes where applicable, development impact, study plan, career plans, personal background, leadership and volunteering.
A university offer letter is not an eligibility requirement at the CSC scholarship-application stage, although the CSC strongly advises applicants to seek admission early. A nominating agency may require additional documents.
How to Apply
- Confirm that your citizenship/residence, degree and proposed taught Master’s programme meet the official criteria.
- Identify up to three suitable approved UK universities and courses, listed in genuine order of preference.
- Check the rules and earlier deadline, if any, of your national nominating agency or eligible NGO/charitable-body nominator.
- Register in CSC Central; access requires two-factor authentication through a smartphone or second email account.
- Complete the form and upload identity evidence, full transcripts and at least two references before the deadline.
- Submit the required separate application to your nominator. The CSC does not accept direct applications without nomination.
- Apply separately for admission to your preferred UK courses as early as possible.
Application fee: the CSC explicitly states that it does not charge an application fee. A university or other application route may have separate rules; check its official page.
Important Dates
- Applications open: 8 September 2026.
- CSC application deadline: 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST (15:00 UTC).
- Nominator deadline: may be earlier and varies by nominator.
- Nominations submitted to CSC: by December 2026.
- Expected results: by July 2027.
- Study begins: September or October 2027.
Selection Notes
Applications are assessed for candidate merit, the quality of the study plan and potential development impact in the applicant’s home country. Applicants should clearly connect their proposed study to a CSC development theme and explain measurable outcomes, beneficiaries and a realistic implementation timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28 open?
Yes. The official call opened on 8 September 2026 and closes on 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
Yes. It covers approved tuition, return airfare, a monthly stipend and specified additional support.
Can applicants from every country apply?
No. Only citizens, qualifying refugees or British Protected Persons who meet the residence rules for the official eligible-country list can apply.
Is work experience required?
No. The CSC FAQ states that employment experience is not a scholarship eligibility requirement.
Is IELTS required?
No IELTS certificate is required by the CSC, but the selected university may have its own English-language admission standard.
Can I apply directly to the CSC?
No. Applicants must use CSC Central and also apply through a participating nominator.
Is there an application fee?
No. The CSC does not charge an application fee through its scholarship system.
Last verified: 8 September 2026. ScholarshipHubNow checked opening status, deadline, funding, eligibility, countries, documents, nomination steps, English-test rules and application links against the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission pages. Programme conditions can change; always recheck the official call before submitting.
