The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships support eligible applicants from low and middle income Commonwealth countries who want to complete a full-time taught master’s degree at a UK university. Applications for the 2027/28 academic year are open, with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission accepting applications until 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST. The programme is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and is aimed at candidates who could not otherwise afford postgraduate study in the United Kingdom. Scholars are selected for academic merit, development potential, and the strength of their proposed study plans.
The scholarship package covers approved tuition fees, return airfare, and a monthly living allowance of £1,712, or £2,000 for scholars at universities in the London metropolitan area, at current published rates. Additional study-travel and qualifying family support can apply under the current terms. Applicants must also use an approved nominating route because the Commission does not accept direct applications without nomination. The 2027 award is for study beginning in September or October 2027.
Commonwealth Master's Scholarships Details
The agency-nominated master’s route funds one-year taught master’s programmes at approved UK universities. It does not fund MBA study, and applicants should choose programmes that align with one of the Commission’s development themes and their longer-term contribution to their home country.
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are administered through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. Candidates submit an application through CSC Central and must also follow the process of an eligible national nominating agency or selected non-governmental or charitable nominator.
Programme | Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships |
|---|---|
Study level | Taught Master’s |
Study location | United Kingdom |
Start | September/October 2027 |
Tuition | Approved tuition fees covered |
Living allowance | £1,712/month; £2,000/month in London |
CSC deadline | 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST |
Application fee | CSC states it does not charge applicants |
Stay Updated with Guidance Gem
Follow Guidance Gem for verified scholarships, fellowships, internships and research opportunities. Check the latest opportunity details before submitting an application.
Scholarship Benefits and Funding
The scholarship covers approved tuition fees in full through arrangements between the Commission and the UK university. It also provides approved return airfare from the scholar’s home country to the UK and a monthly stipend for personal maintenance during the award.
The current stipend is £1,712 per month or £2,000 per month for scholars studying in the London metropolitan area. A study-travel grant and certain family allowances can also be available under the published conditions. Also Check: applicants comparing another European master’s award can review the published Maastricht NL-High Potential Scholarship.
Related opportunity: Applicants comparing another current scholarship can review Commonwealth PhD Scholarships and compare its eligibility, funding and application timeline with this opportunity.
Eligibility for the 2027 Award
Applicants must be citizens of, or have refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country and must be permanently resident in an eligible country. They must be available to begin study in the UK at the start of the academic year in September 2027 and meet the Commission’s academic qualification requirements.
By September 2027, candidates normally need at least an upper second-class first degree, or a lower second-class degree together with a relevant postgraduate qualification. They must also demonstrate that they could not afford UK study without the scholarship and provide all required supporting documentation in the specified format.
Also explore: For another published Guidance Gem option in a related area, see Tilburg Research Master Scholarship and compare its eligibility, funding and application timeline with this opportunity.
Requirements and Required Documents
A complete application for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships must include proof of citizenship or qualifying refugee status, full higher-education transcripts, and the required references. Transcripts must include all pages and need certified translations when they are not in English.
At least two references must be uploaded in PDF format by the application deadline. Candidates should also prepare their development-impact responses, study choices, employment history, career plans, and personal statement carefully because incomplete documentation can make an application ineligible.
How to Apply for Commonwealth Master's Scholarships
Applicants should begin on the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission page and use CSC Central for the 2027/28 application. The scholarship also requires an eligible nominating route, and nominators may impose their own earlier closing dates.
The Commission recommends preparing answers before entering them into the system and saving frequently. Once an application is submitted, it cannot be edited, so candidates should review every response and supporting document before final submission.
Application Deadline
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission closes its 2027/28 Master’s Scholarship application in CSC Central at 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026. However, applicants must also apply through an eligible nominating body, and that organisation may set its own closing date.
Applicants therefore need to meet both the nominator deadline and the CSC deadline, so there is not one universal applicant deadline that is safe for every route. Check the instructions of your national nominating agency or other eligible nominator first, then make sure the CSC Central application is also submitted before the Commission’s closing time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The current official guidance clarifies the most important points about funding, nomination, English testing, and the 2027 deadline. Applicants should still follow country-specific nominator instructions because those organisations may add local requirements.
The answers below refer to the agency-nominated master’s programme for 2027/28. They should not be mixed with other Commonwealth master’s schemes that may use different application routes.
Are the Commonwealth Master's Scholarships fully funded?
Yes. The current package covers approved tuition fees, approved airfare, and a monthly living allowance, which meets Guidance Gem’s criteria for a fully funded study award.
Does the CSC require IELTS?
The Commission states that it does not require applicants to take an IELTS test. Individual universities may still have their own admission-language requirements, so applicants must check their chosen course.
Is there an application fee?
The Commission states that it does not charge applicants to apply for its scholarships through the online application system. Applicants should still check whether a university or other third party has separate charges unrelated to the CSC application.
When do applications close?
The CSC deadline is 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST, although a nominator may require an earlier submission. Applicants must satisfy both the CSC deadline and any earlier deadline set by their nominating body.
Final Thoughts
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships provide substantial support for eligible candidates who want to complete a one-year taught master’s degree in the UK and use that education for development impact at home. Full tuition, approved travel, and monthly living support make the current 2027/28 package a comprehensive funding opportunity.
Applicants should confirm country eligibility, choose suitable UK courses, coordinate with an eligible nominator, and complete CSC Central well before the closing time. Preparing references and transcripts early is especially important because missing supporting documents can make an otherwise strong application ineligible.
