Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28 in UK: Fully Funded Master’s Scholarship

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Applications for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28 will open on 8 September 2026. The fully funded UK scholarship is designed for students from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries who want to pursue a full-time taught Master’s degree in the UK. The application deadline is 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026, with studies scheduled to begin in September or October 2027.

Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are offered through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC). The programme focuses on candidates who can use their education and professional skills to contribute to sustainable development in their home countries. The scholarships cover approved tuition fees, airfare, a monthly living allowance and other eligible study-related costs.

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are available across six CSC development themes. These include 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, and access, inclusion and opportunity.

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Overview of Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship in the UK

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What Does the Commonwealth Scholarship Cover?

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is fully funded. Each award provides several forms of financial support.

The scholarship covers:

• Full approved tuition fees
• Return airfare between the scholar’s home country and the UK
• Monthly living allowance of £1,712
• Monthly allowance of £2,000 for scholars studying at universities in the London metropolitan area
• Study travel grant for eligible study-related travel
• Child allowance for eligible single, widowed or divorced parents
• Additional financial support following an assessment for scholars who disclose a disability

The tuition fees are covered through an agreement between the CSC and the UK university. Scholars are not responsible for paying the approved tuition fees.

For eligible scholars with children, the current allowance is £622 per month for the first child and £154 per month for the second and third child under 16, provided the children live with the scholar at the same UK address. The CSC notes that these family allowances are only a contribution toward the cost of supporting family members in the UK.

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Commonwealth Scholarship Development Themes

Applicants need to connect their proposed studies with development needs. The CSC offers scholarships under six development themes:

1. Science and technology for development
2. Strengthening health systems and capacity
3. Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship
4. Strengthening global peace, security and governance
5. Strengthening resilience and response to crises
6. Access, inclusion and opportunity

The themes cover areas such as science, engineering, healthcare, economic development, governance, climate and disaster resilience, education and access to opportunities. The CSC also asks applicants to identify at least three UN Sustainable Development Goals that they aim to contribute to after receiving the award.

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Who Can Apply for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships?

Applicants must meet the CSC eligibility requirements. To apply for the 2027/28 scholarship, candidates must generally:

• Be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country, have refugee status in 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 in September 2027.
• Hold a first degree equivalent to at least an upper second-class 2:1 degree by September 2027.
• Alternatively, hold a lower second-class degree together with a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master’s degree.
• Demonstrate that they cannot afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
• Provide all required supporting documents in the correct format.

There is no age limit for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship applications. However, the CSC normally does not fund a second Master’s degree. Candidates applying for a second Master’s must explain why the additional degree is necessary. Applicants who have already studied at Master’s level at a UK institution or have previously received a Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship are not eligible.

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How to Apply for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship application has two important parts. Candidates must apply to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and also apply through an approved nominating agency.

The CSC accepts nominations through two main types of organisations:

• National nominating agencies
• Selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies

The CSC does not accept direct applications for these scholarships. Each nominator has its own selection process and may impose additional eligibility requirements. Nominators can also have earlier deadlines than the CSC deadline.

Candidates should therefore check the requirements of their relevant nominating agency before preparing the application.

Nominators are expected to submit their selected candidates to the CSC by December 2026. The final scholarship outcome is expected by July 2027.

Documents Required for the Commonwealth Scholarship

Applicants must upload the required supporting documents through the CSC Central application system.

The required documents include:

• A valid passport or national ID showing the applicant’s photograph, date of birth and citizenship
• Complete higher education transcripts
• Certified translations of transcripts that are not in English
• References from at least two people
• References signed and provided on institutional letterhead or through an email clearly showing the referee’s details

Commonwealth Scholarship Application Form

The application form asks candidates to provide information about their academic background, professional experience, publications, awards and referees.

Applicants can list up to 10 publications and prizes. They must also provide details of their employment history and explain how their previous experience relates to the proposed Master’s programme.

A major part of the application is the Development Impact statement.

Candidates must explain:

• How their proposed studies relate to development issues at global, national and local levels
• How their studies relate to the selected CSC development theme
• How they will use their new skills after returning home
• What development outcomes they expect to achieve
• When they expect those outcomes to occur
• Who will benefit from their work
• How the impact of their work can be measured

Applicants must also provide a detailed study plan, personal statement, career plans for the five years after the scholarship and long-term career plans. Information about voluntary activities and leadership experience is also requested.

How Are Commonwealth Scholarships Selected?

The CSC assesses applications using three main areas:

• Candidate merit
• Quality of the study plan
• Development impact

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28: Important Dates