Applications are now open for the 2027/28 Commonwealth Scholarships, offering fully funded opportunities for eligible Commonwealth students to pursue Master’s and PhD programmes at universities in the UK.

Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), the scholarships are aimed at talented applicants who would otherwise be unable to afford to study in the UK.

Both programmes support the development needs of Commonwealth countries and are offered under the CSC’s six development themes.

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is for candidates from eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries who wish to undertake a full-time, taught Master’s degree in the UK.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be a citizen of, or have refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be available to start their studies in September or October 2027.
• Hold at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree by September 2027.
• Alternatively, hold a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master’s degree.
• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
• Provide all required supporting documents.
• Not already be registered for a PhD or an MPhil leading to a PhD before September or October 2026.

There is no age limit for applicants.

The CSC normally does not fund a second Master’s degree. Applicants seeking a second Master’s must provide a strong justification.

Applicants who have already studied at Master’s level at a UK institution or previously received a Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship are not eligible.

Applicants must provide:

• Details of their undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.
• Employment history and its relevance to their proposed study.
• Up to 10 publications and prizes.
• Details of three referees.
• A Development Impact statement.
• A detailed study plan.
• Five-year and long-term career plans.
• A personal statement.
• Details of voluntary activities and leadership experience.

The Development Impact statement must explain the development problem the applicant intends to address, how the proposed study will help, the expected outcomes and beneficiaries, and how the impact will be measured.

Applicants can list three preferred UK universities and courses. The CSC will make the final decision on placement.

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

The Commonwealth PhD Scholarship is aimed at applicants from least developed countries and vulnerable states classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee.

The scholarship supports full-time doctoral study at a UK university.

It is designed for high-quality graduates with the potential to conduct world-class research that addresses development challenges and contribute to their home countries as researchers, teachers and leaders.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be a citizen of, or have refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be available to start their studies in September or October 2027.
• Hold at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree, or an equivalent qualification.
• Be unable to afford doctoral study in the UK without the scholarship.
• Provide all required supporting documents.
• Meet any additional requirements set by their nominating agency.

Applicants must also identify a proposed supervisor at a UK institution.

Documents required for PhD applications

Applicants must upload:

• A valid passport or national ID showing citizenship and photograph.
• Full transcripts of all higher education qualifications.
• Certified translations of transcripts where necessary.
• References from at least two referees.
• A supporting statement from a proposed UK supervisor.

All documents must be uploaded through the CSC Central application system before the deadline.

Applications may be considered ineligible if required documents are missing.

The proposed UK supervisor must confirm that they are, in principle, willing to supervise the applicant and that the necessary research facilities are available.

The supervisor must also indicate how the proposed research fits the expertise of their department and confirm that it can be completed within the proposed 36-month scholarship period.

What PhD applicants will be assessed on

References and supporting statements should address the applicant’s:

• Analytical and conceptual ability.
• Capacity for original thought.
• Motivation and perseverance.
• Academic strengths and weaknesses.
• Suitability for the proposed research.
• Potential to contribute to development in their home country.

The proposed research should demonstrate clear development relevance and align with one of the CSC’s six development themes.

Financial support

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships provide:

• Approved airfare from the scholar’s home country to the UK and return.
• Full approved tuition fees.
• 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 study-related travel.
• Additional allowances for eligible scholars with dependent children.
• Additional financial support may be available following an assessment for scholars with disabilities.

The scholarship is intended to cover the scholar’s approved study costs. Family allowances are only a contribution towards the cost of maintaining accompanying family members in the UK.

How to apply

Applications for both the Master’s and PhD scholarships are now open.

Application deadline: 16:00 BST, 20 October 2026

The scholarships are for study beginning in September or October 2027.

Applicants must:

• Apply through the CSC Central online application system.
• Apply separately to an eligible nominating agency or participating organisation.
• Check the nominator’s own eligibility requirements and deadline.
• Submit all required documents through CSC Central.
• Apply to their preferred UK universities where necessary.

The CSC does not accept direct applications. Candidates must first be nominated by an eligible nominating agency or participating organisation.

Nominators may have earlier deadlines and will submit their nominations to the CSC in December 2026.

A nomination does not guarantee selection.

Applicants can expect to receive the outcome of their applications by July 2027.

Important application reminders

• The CSC does not charge applicants to apply.
• Applications cannot be edited after submission.
• Applicants should save their work regularly.
• Refreshing the browser can cause unsaved information to be lost.
• The CSC recommends submitting applications well before the deadline.
• References and supporting statements must be uploaded by the application deadline.
• Documents sent outside the online application system will not be accepted.
• Applicants should monitor their email, including spam and junk folders.

Successful scholars must return to their home countries after completing their scholarships and contribute to development there. They are not permitted to switch to a graduate or other visa to remain in the UK.

The CSC will make the final decision on scholarship awards and, where applicable, university placement.