Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2026/2027 | Study in UK
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2026/2027 | Fully Funded to Study in the UK:
The UK Department for International Development (DFID) invites applications from eligible Commonwealth countries for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2026.
Interested applicants can review the eligibility criteria, benefits, requirements, selection process, application procedure, and deadline.
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), support talented and motivated individuals to acquire the knowledge and skills needed for sustainable development.
These scholarships are specifically targeted at candidates who would otherwise be unable to study in the UK due to financial constraints.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) offers three Master’s programmes, which are nominated through approved agencies. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom (UK) administers the UK government’s scholarship programme, guided by international development objectives. It operates under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and reflects the UK’s long-standing commitment to the Commonwealth.
The work of the CSC links sustainable development with the UK’s national interest. It promotes international partnerships by attracting individuals with strong academic ability and clear potential from diverse backgrounds, supporting them to become future leaders and innovators when they return to their home countries.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of, or 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 begin academic studies in the UK in September or October 2026
- Hold, by September 2026, a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1), or a second class degree (2:2) with a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree)
- Note that the CSC does not normally fund a second UK Master’s degree. Applicants seeking a second UK Master’s must provide clear justification
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
- Submit all required supporting documents in the specified format
Benefits
Each scholarship provides:
- Approved airfare from the home country to the UK and return at the end of the award
- Full tuition fees covered directly between the CSC and the UK university
- Monthly living allowance of £1,236, or £1,516 for universities in the London metropolitan area
- Warm clothing allowance, where applicable
- Thesis or dissertation grant, where applicable
- Study travel grant for academic travel within the UK or overseas
- Child allowance for widowed, divorced, or single parents: £529 per month for the first child and £131 per month for the second and third child under 16, if accompanied and living in the UK
- Full assessment and additional financial support for scholars with disabilities, where eligible
Selection Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
- Academic merit
- Quality of the proposed plan of study
- Potential impact on the development of the applicant’s home country
Eligible Countries
Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St Helena, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, The Gambia, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia.
Method of Application
Applicants must apply through one of the approved nominating bodies. The CSC does not accept direct applications.
Application routes include:
- National nominating agencies (main application route)
- Selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies
Note: Each nominating body operates its own selection process and may apply additional eligibility requirements and deadlines. Applicants must consult their chosen nominating body for specific guidance.