Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship Program

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship Program is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). This agency-nominated Master’s programme is one of three Master’s programmes offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC).

Scholarship Overview

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships enable motivated and talented individuals the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge necessary for sustainable development.
Through this scholarship scheme, students from eligible low and middle-income Commonwealth countries who would not normally be able to afford to study in the UK can pursue full-time master’s courses at UK universities.

Host School(s)

Any UK university or higher education institution that has a part funding agreement with the CSC for specific programs of study.

Fields of Study

How many scholarships are given?

What does the scholarship cover?

Recipients of this scholarship receive:

Approved airfare from one’s home country to the UK and back at the end of the award period.
A warm clothing allowance (where applicable).
Approved tuition fees as covered by the agreement between the CSC and the UK University.
A living allowance (stipend) of £1,236 per month, or £1,516 per month for those studying in the London metropolitan area.
A thesis grant covering the cost of preparation of a thesis or dissertation, where applicable.
A study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
Individuals who are widowed, divorced or single parents receive a child allowance of £529 per month for the first child and £131 per month for the 2^nd and 3^rd child. This applies to children under the age of 16 who are accompanying the scholarship recipient to the UK and living at the same address.
Individuals who share that they have a disability also receive a full assessment of their needs and are eligible for financial support as offered by the CSC.

Which countries are targeted?

Am I Eligible to Apply?

To qualify for this scholarship, you must:

Be a permanent resident of an eligible commonwealth country.
Be a citizen of or have already received refugee status from an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
Hold a first degree of at least an upper 2^nd class (2:1) honors, or a second class degree (2:2) and a relevant postgraduate qualification by September 2023. Note that the CSC does not usually fund a 2^nd master’s degree undertaken in the UK.
Be available to start the study program at the start of the UK academic year in September 2023.
Not be in a position to fund your studies in the UK without this scholarship.
Have provided all the supporting documents in the required format.

How do I Apply – Next Steps

Applications are made using the CSC’s online application system. Each candidate must also apply to one of the nominating agencies as listed below.

National nominating agencies (the main application route)
Selected non-governmental organizations and charitable bodies
Each nominating body is responsible for its selection process, and as such, may have additional eligibility criteria.
Note that the CSC will not accept any applications that are not submitted via the online application system.
It is advisable to complete applications early, as the system may get clogged closer to the deadline.

Supporting Documents

Proof of citizenship or refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country, uploaded directly onto the online application system. This should be a copy of a valid passport (or a national ID card) showing a photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship.
Full transcripts indicating all your higher education qualifications. These should include the most recent transcripts for any qualifications you are currently studying. Certified translations should be provided for any documents that are not in English.
References from at least 2 people on institutional letterhead.

Closing Date

How do I get more information?