Applicants must apply through either: their national nominating agency; or an eligible participating NGO or charitable organisation. The CSC does not accept direct applications without nomination
Open step linkThe nominating organisation may impose a deadline earlier than 20 October 2026 and may have additional requirements.
Complete the application and upload all supporting documents before 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST.
Applicants must pursue admission to their proposed UK university/programme. Individual university deadlines can differ from the scholarship deadline.
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Overview
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28 support eligible candidates from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries to undertake a full-time, one-year taught Master’s degree at a UK university.
The programme is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC).
Applications for the 2027/28 academic year are open, with study expected to begin in September/October 2027.
Who can apply
Applicants must:
There is no general CSC age limit.
The CSC would not normally fund a second Master’s degree. Applicants who have already studied at Master’s level at a UK institution, or who have already received a Commonwealth Scholarship at Master’s level, are not eligible.
Eligible countries include Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, India, Pakistan, South Africa and other countries listed by the CSC.
What the opportunity provides
The scholarship currently includes:
The quoted stipend rates are the current published levels and may change.
Airfares for dependants are not covered.
Family allowances are intended only as a contribution towards family costs and may not cover the full cost of supporting accompanying family members in the UK.
Required documents
Applicants must upload:
Applicants may also need additional documentation or information required by their nominating organisation or chosen university. Those requirements vary and must be checked separately.
Selection process and timeline
Applicants submit an application through CSC Central and must also apply through an eligible nominating organisation.
The main nomination route is through a national nominating agency. Selected NGOs and charitable organisations may also nominate applicants.
Each nominating organisation operates its own selection process and may impose additional eligibility conditions or an earlier deadline.
Nominators are expected to submit nominations to the CSC by December 2026.
Applicants can expect scholarship outcomes by July 2027.
A nomination does not guarantee selection.
Applicants should also apply for admission to their preferred UK universities. The CSC advises applicants to pursue university admission in advance because individual programmes may have separate or earlier admissions deadlines.
Important conditions
The scholarship supports one-year taught Master’s programmes only.
MBA programmes are not eligible.
The scholarship is for full-time study.
Applicants are strongly advised to identify up to three suitable university and course choices.
Commonwealth Scholars commit to returning to their home countries following the scholarship to contribute to development.
Other scholarships or awards covering the same costs cannot normally be held concurrently.
Paid employment during the scholarship requires prior CSC approval.
Visa and immigration information
This scholarship should not be described as employment visa sponsorship.
Applicants who require a UK Student visa must satisfy all relevant UK immigration requirements.
UK immigration rules are controlled by UK Visas and Immigration and are separate from scholarship selection.
Successful candidates are required to sign an undertaking to return to their home country before their Student visa expires.
The CSC does not permit scholars to switch to the Graduate visa or another immigration category simply to remain in the UK after the scholarship.
Visa approval is not guaranteed by scholarship selection.
TripDoc verification notes
TripDoc verified the 2027/28 scholarship round against the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission page and current CSC Central application route on 16 September 2026.
The main CSC deadline is 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST.
Applicants must not rely on the CSC deadline alone because individual nominating organisations can impose earlier deadlines.
Submitting a CSC Central application alone is not sufficient. Applicants must also complete an eligible nomination process and separately pursue admission to their proposed UK university or universities.
