Commonwealth Master's Scholarship 2027/28

The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship funds full-time taught Master's study at a UK university for talented candidates from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), this scholarship is part of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, which has supported over 30,000 scholars since 1960. What it covers: - Full tuition fees, paid directly to your UK university - A monthly stipend to cover living costs (rate is reviewed annually — confirm the exact current figure on the official CSC website before applying) - Return economy-class airfare between your home country and the UK - Other approved allowances as set by the CSC Unlike purely merit-based scholarships, the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship specifically targets students who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. Demonstrated financial need is a core part of the selection criteria, not just an academic contest. Eligibility requirements: - Be a citizen of, or hold refugee status granted by, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person - Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country - Hold at least an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree, or a lower second-class degree together with a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master's degree) - Be available to begin study in the UK by September 2027 - Genuinely be unable to afford UK study without this scholarship - Not already hold a Commonwealth Master's Scholarship or a completed UK Master's degree, except in exceptional, justified circumstances How to apply: Applications are submitted through the CSC's online system, CSC Central, at cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk. In most cases, you must also apply through your country's National Nominating Agency, which reviews and forwards applications to the CSC. Important deadline warning: While the CSC's own deadline is 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST, most national nominating agencies set their own internal deadline, often several weeks earlier. Applicants must identify their country's nominating agency immediately and confirm its specific deadline rather than relying on the CSC date alone. Required documents typically include a valid passport or ID, complete academic transcripts, certified English translations of any non-English documents, and at least two signed references on institutional letterhead. Always verify current stipend amounts, eligible countries, and deadlines directly on the official CSC website before applying, as details are updated annually.