Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28: Fully Funded

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28 at a Glance

Who Is Eligible?

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are intended for candidates from eligible Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford postgraduate study in the United Kingdom.

Applicants must normally:

• 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 academic study in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2027;
• normally hold by September 2027 at least an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification;
• be unable to afford study in the UK without the scholarship; and
• meet the academic and admission requirements of the proposed UK Master’s programme.

Previous Master’s study

Applicants who have already studied at Master’s level at a UK institution, or who have already held a Commonwealth Scholarship at Master’s level, are not eligible under the current scheme rules.

Applicants who already hold a Master’s degree may still need to explain clearly why a second Master’s is necessary. The CSC generally expects a strong academic and development justification rather than duplication of previous study.

Eligible Countries for 2027/28

The current Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship scheme covers candidates from 43 eligible Commonwealth countries.

What Type of Master’s Course Is Funded?

The scholarship supports one-year, full-time taught Master’s programmes at eligible UK universities.

• The course must be suitable for the applicant’s academic and development goals.
• The programme must begin in September/October 2027.
• MBA programmes are not funded under the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship scheme.
• Applicants are encouraged to identify and list up to three suitable universities/courses in order of preference.

Scholarship selection does not automatically secure university admission. Applicants should therefore apply to their preferred UK universities early and follow each institution’s own admission deadlines and document requirements.

English-language requirements

The CSC itself does not require IELTS as a scholarship condition. However, the selected UK university may impose its own English-language admission requirements, which the applicant must satisfy independently.

Funding and Financial Support

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are fully funded. Under the CSC’s current published terms, the award includes:

• approved return airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and back at the end of the award;
• full approved tuition fees;
• a living allowance of £1,712 per month;
• a higher living allowance of £2,000 per month for Scholars studying at institutions in the London metropolitan area;
• a study-travel grant toward approved academic travel within the UK or overseas where relevant to the course; and
• other approved allowances under CSC terms.

Family and disability-related support

For eligible single-parent Scholars, the current published allowance is £622 per month for the first child and £154 per month for the second and third child under the applicable conditions.

Additional support may also be available to Scholars with disabilities following an assessment of individual needs.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must upload the supporting evidence required in CSC Central by the relevant deadline. Key materials include:

• proof of citizenship, refugee status or British Protected Person status as applicable;
• full transcripts detailing all higher-education qualifications;
• certificates where required;
• at least two signed references in PDF format uploaded to the application system;
• employment history where relevant;
• academic qualifications and achievements;
• publications, prizes and other relevant academic distinctions where applicable;
• a detailed study plan;
• career objectives;
• personal background information;
• leadership and volunteering evidence; and
• the required Development Impact responses.

Referees

The CSC application asks applicants to provide details of three referees. At least two signed references must be uploaded in the required PDF format by the deadline.

Development Impact Statement

Development impact is central to Commonwealth Scholarship selection. The application requires applicants to explain how their proposed study will contribute to development in their home country.

The Development Impact section is structured around four core areas:

1. Development problem: identify the development issue or challenge relevant to your country and field.
2. Use of new skills: explain how knowledge and skills gained in the UK will be applied after the scholarship.
3. Expected outcomes: describe the beneficiaries, intended changes and realistic timeframe.
4. Impact measurement: explain how progress and outcomes will be monitored or evaluated.

Strong responses connect the proposed Master’s course directly to a clearly defined development challenge rather than relying on broad statements about contributing to society.

CSC Development Themes

Applicants should align their study and development case with one of the CSC’s six development themes:

• Science and technology for development
• Improving population health, health systems and capacity
• Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship
• Strengthening peace, security and governance
• Strengthening resilience and response to crises
• Access, inclusion and opportunity

How to Apply

1. Confirm country and academic eligibility. Check the live CSC country list and degree requirements.
2. Identify an approved nominating route. This may be a national nominating agency or another CSC-approved nominating body.
3. Check the nominator’s deadline. It may be earlier than the CSC deadline.
4. Select suitable UK Master’s programmes. Identify up to three courses/universities in preference order and confirm they meet scheme rules.
5. Apply to universities separately. Scholarship selection does not replace university admission.
6. Complete the CSC Central application. Provide education, employment, referee, development-impact and study-plan information.
7. Upload all required supporting documents. Make sure transcripts, status evidence and signed references are complete.
8. Submit before 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST. Also complete any separate forms or interviews required by the nominating body.

How Applications Are Selected

Applications are assessed through the nominating process and CSC review. The principal selection considerations are:

• academic merit of the candidate;
• quality of the proposed study and its fit with the applicant’s background and goals; and
• potential development impact in the applicant’s home country.

Leadership, practical application of learning and a credible post-study career plan can strengthen the overall development case.

2027/28 Timeline

Important Conditions After Selection

Scholars are expected to return to their home country before the expiry of their Student visa at the end of the award. The scholarship is intended to support development impact in the Scholar’s home country.

Paid employment during the scholarship is subject to CSC rules and generally requires prior approval where it falls outside the conditions of the award.

Pre-Submission Checklist

• Eligible country confirmed
• Citizenship/residency status confirmed
• Academic eligibility checked
• Financial-need requirement understood
• Approved nominating body identified
• Nominator deadline checked
• Up to three eligible one-year taught Master’s courses selected
• MBA excluded
• University applications started separately
• Transcripts and status evidence uploaded
• Three referees identified
• At least two signed references uploaded
• Development Impact statement completed
• Career and study plans completed
• CSC Central application submitted before 20 October 2026, 16:00 BST