The Commonwealth Master’s and PhD Scholarships 2027 provide fully funded postgraduate study opportunities at participating universities across the United Kingdom. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the awards are designed for talented candidates from eligible Commonwealth countries who would otherwise be unable to afford study in the UK.

Scholarship Quick Facts

About the Commonwealth Scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarships are funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK. The programme supports talented students and researchers from eligible Commonwealth countries whose proposed studies can contribute to sustainable development in their home countries.

For the 2027/28 academic year, Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are available for eligible full-time taught Master’s study at UK universities, while Commonwealth PhD Scholarships support high-quality doctoral research with development impact. Applicants must normally demonstrate that they could not afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.

The scholarships are offered across the CSC’s development themes, including science and technology, population health, innovation and entrepreneurship, peace and governance, resilience and crisis response, and access, inclusion and opportunity.

Eligibility Criteria

• ✅ You must be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
• ✅ You must be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• ✅ You must be available to begin your studies in the UK at the start of the 2027/28 academic year.
• ✅ By September 2027, you must normally hold a first degree at least equivalent to a UK upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree together with a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master’s degree.
• ✅ You must be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
• ✅ You must provide the required supporting documents in the format requested by the CSC and your nominating body.

Applicants should also check the individual requirements for their scholarship route. Nominating bodies may introduce additional eligibility rules and earlier internal deadlines.

Scholarship Benefits

• 🏆 Full approved tuition fees are covered under the scholarship agreement with the UK university.
• 🏆 Approved return airfare between the scholar’s home country and the UK is provided.
• 🏆 A monthly living allowance is provided. The current rate listed by the CSC is £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month for scholars studying at universities in the London metropolitan area.
• 🏆 A study travel grant is available to support eligible study-related travel.
• 🏆 Additional allowances may be available depending on the scholarship programme and the scholar’s circumstances.

Funding rates and additional allowances can change, so applicants should check the official CSC information and their final award conditions before making financial plans.

Required Documents

• Academic certificates and transcripts required for the selected programme.
• References or supporting statements as required by the CSC and nominating body.
• A study plan or research proposal, depending on the scholarship route.
• Details of the proposed UK course and university.
• Any additional documents requested by your nominating agency, university or other approved nominator.

How to Apply

Step 1: Check whether your country is eligible for the relevant Commonwealth Master’s or PhD Scholarship.

Step 2: Review the eligibility requirements and identify a suitable eligible postgraduate course at a UK university.

Step 3: Find the appropriate nominating body for your country. The CSC does not accept direct applications for these scholarships.

Step 4: Check your nominating body’s own application requirements and internal deadline. These deadlines may be earlier than the CSC deadline.

Step 5: Complete the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission application through the official online application system and upload the required supporting documents.

Step 6: Submit the application before the CSC deadline of 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST.

Frequently Asked Questions