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 and deserving candidates from eligible Commonwealth countries who would otherwise be unable to afford study in the UK.

Scholarship Quick Facts

About the Commonwealth Scholarships

A UK Master’s or PhD can feel like a door that only opens for people who can pay. These scholarships try to change that. For 2027, the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is funding students from eligible Commonwealth countries to do postgraduate study at partner universities in Britain. If you’re strong academically but the fees put you off, this is the kind of award built for you.

If you’re planning to study in the UK in 2027/28, there are two routes. The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are for eligible students taking a full-time taught Master’s at a UK university, and the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships back strong doctoral research that can make a difference to development. In most cases you’ll also need to show that you couldn’t afford to study in the UK without the award.

The Commission (CSC) groups its awards under several development themes: 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.

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Scholarship Coverage or Benefits

• 🏆 Full weaver of tuition fees, which is covered under the scholarship agreement with the UK university.
• 🏆 Approved return airfare between the applicant 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 area of London metropolitan.
• 🏆 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 documents and transcripts required for your selected programme.
• References or supporting statements as required by the CSC and nominating body.
• A Research proposal or study plan, depending on the university offers scholarship.
• Details of the suggested UK course and university.
• Any additional documents requested by your university.

Commonwealth Scholarship Summary

• Study level Master| PhD
• UK Universities List ( Click Here )
• Study Destination: United Kingdom ( UK )
• Course Offered:
  • 1 year program, Full time Master’s Degree ( any subject ).
  • 36 Month PhD program for full time ( many program available )
• Program Time Period: Depends on which study program you use.

How to Apply

Step 1: First of all find out that your country is eligible for the relevant Commonwealth Master’s or PhD Scholarship.

Step 2: 2nd find out if you are eligible eligible to adopt a postgraduate course at a UK university.

Step 3: Define the nominating body for your country. The CSC does not consider direct applications for these scholarships.

Step 4: Must find out the application requirements and internal deadline of your nominating body. These deadlines may precede the CSC deadline.

Step 5: Complete the application through the university or nominating agency’s official online application system and upload the required supporting documents to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.

Step 6: Try to Apply to the CSC before the deadline which is 20 October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions