Commonwealth Master's Scholarships / Commonwealth Academic Fellowships (CSC)

What the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship gives you

You get a fully funded taught Master's degree in the UK for one year. The award covers your full tuition and return economy flights. You also get a monthly living allowance of about 1,680 EUR (1,452 GBP) outside London and about 2,060 EUR (1,781 GBP) in the London area at the 2026/27 rate. On top of that you get a warm-clothing allowance and a study travel grant. Single or widowed parents also get a child allowance (about 680 EUR for the first child, about 170 EUR for a second or third child under 16). There is no application fee, and support is available if you have a disability. The scheme is run by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and paid for by the UK government (FCDO). More than 34,000 people have been funded since 1960.

There is also a separate Commonwealth Academic Fellowship for university staff who already hold a PhD. It funds a 3-month research and networking stay at a UK university. You get full funding, a return flight, visa reimbursement, an arrival allowance and a monthly stipend (living allowance) of about 3,190 EUR (2,753 GBP). Around 40 of these fellowships are offered each year.

Who can apply for the Master's Scholarship

• Degree: You want to do a full-time taught Master's in the UK.
• Your grades: You have at least a good first degree (equivalent to a UK upper second-class, "2:1"). A lower result works only if you also hold a relevant postgraduate qualification.
• Where you are from: You are a citizen or a recognised refugee from one of 44 eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries (for example India, Nigeria, Kenya, Pakistan, Ghana, Bangladesh, Jamaica, South Africa or Sri Lanka), or a British Protected Person. You must also live permanently in an eligible country.
• Financial need: You could not afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
• Return home: You commit to going back to your home country after you finish.
• Age: No age limit.
• First UK Master's: You should not already hold a UK Master's, unless you can justify needing a second one.

The Academic Fellowship has different rules. It is open to university staff with a completed PhD employed at a university in any eligible Commonwealth country outside the UK. It is open to all Commonwealth countries, not only low-income ones.

How to apply

For the Master's Scholarship you cannot apply straight to the CSC. A nominator must put you forward, usually your country's national nominating agency or an approved NGO. You still submit your own application through the CSC Central online system during the application window. For the 2027/28 year it opens on 8 September 2026 and closes at 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026. Your nominator then forwards your name to the CSC. Being nominated does not guarantee selection. Results are sent out by July 2027.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a well-known, fully funded award open across 44 countries, so it is highly competitive and strong grades alone will not carry you. Selection turns on your Development Impact Statement, meaning a clear plan for how your studies will help your home country after you return. If you meet the eligibility rules, get nominated through your national agency, and can show a concrete development impact, your case stands out. The Academic Fellowship is far more narrow (about 40 places for PhD-holding university staff), so a well-matched applicant faces a smaller field.