Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28 | Fully Funded UK Master’s Scholarship

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28 are fully funded scholarships for eligible citizens of low and middle income Commonwealth countries to undertake full-time taught Master’s study at approved universities in the United Kingdom. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), the programme supports candidates who have strong academic potential and who would otherwise be unable to afford postgraduate study in the UK. The scholarship is intended to support sustainable development by helping talented graduates gain advanced knowledge and skills that can contribute to development in their home countries. The 2027/28 scholarship is for study beginning in September or October 2027. Applicants must apply through the CSC Central application system and also apply through an eligible nominating agency. The CSC does not accept direct applications without a nominating route. The scholarship provides approved return airfare, full approved tuition fees, a monthly living allowance of £1,712, or £2,000 per month for scholars studying at universities in the London metropolitan area, and a study travel grant. Eligible single parents, widows or divorced scholars with children may also receive family allowances subject to the programme conditions. Applicants must normally hold a first degree at least equivalent to a UK upper second-class (2:1) standard by September 2027, or a lower second-class degree together with a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master’s degree. Applicants must also demonstrate that they cannot afford to study in the UK without the scholarship. The programme is available only to citizens or eligible refugees from the Commonwealth countries listed by the CSC. Afghanistan is not included in the current eligible-country list. Applicants should carefully check the eligibility requirements of their specific nominating agency because agencies may have additional requirements and earlier deadlines than the CSC deadline.

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• Full Tuition Fees: Approved tuition fees are fully covered through the agreement between the CSC and the UK university. Scholars are not liable to pay any part of the approved tuition fee.
• Monthly Living Allowance: The current stipend rate is £1,712 per month, increasing to £2,000 per month for scholars studying at universities in the London metropolitan area.
• Return Airfare: Approved airfare from the scholar's home country to the UK and return at the end of the award is provided. Dependants' fares and journeys made before the award is confirmed are not reimbursed.
• Study Travel Grant: A study travel grant is provided toward eligible study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
• Family Allowance: Eligible scholars who are widowed, divorced or single parents may receive specified family allowances subject to the CSC's conditions.
• Important Eligibility Note: Afghanistan is not included in the CSC's current list of eligible countries for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28. Applicants must be citizens of, or have eligible refugee status in, one of the countries listed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and must meet the requirements of an eligible nominating agency.

• Stipend: £1,712/month
• Tuition coverage: 100%
• Full Tuition Fee Coverage · 100% tuition covered · Basis: Full Scholarship · One-time · The scholarship covers the full approved tuition fees for the selected eligible Master’s programme. The scholar is not normally required to pay the approved tuition fees covered under the CSC funding arrangement.
• Monthly Living Allowance · €1,712 · Basis: Monthly · One-time · A monthly living allowance of £1,712 is provided to support living expenses. Scholars studying at universities in the London metropolitan area receive the applicable higher London rate of £2,000 per month.
• Approved Return Airfare · Amount varies · Basis: Study Related Travel · One-time · A study travel grant is available for eligible study-related travel during the scholarship, subject to the CSC's terms and conditions.
• Family Allowance · Amount varies · One-time · Eligible scholars who are widowed, divorced or single parents with dependent children may receive family allowances subject to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's conditions. The allowance is not automatically available to every scholar with dependants.

• Citizenship and Residency: Applicants must be citizens of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person. Applicants must also be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country. Afghanistan is not included in the current eligible-country list.
• Academic Qualification: By September 2027, applicants must hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree together with a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master’s degree.
• Financial Need: Applicants must be unable to afford to study in the United Kingdom without the scholarship.
• Study Start Date: Applicants must be available to start their academic studies in the UK by the beginning of the UK academic year in September 2027. The 2027/28 award is intended for study beginning in September or October 2027.
• Previous Master's Study: The CSC normally does not fund a second Master's degree. Applicants seeking a second Master's must provide a justification. 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.
• Return to Home Country: Commonwealth Scholars are expected to return to their home country after completing the scholarship and contribute to its development. Remaining in the UK after the award to work or undertake postdoctoral study is not permitted under the scholarship conditions.

• Application deadline: Oct 20, 2026
• Note: The CSC application deadline is 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026. Applicants must also meet the deadline set by their nominating agency, which may be earlier. The scholarship is for study beginning in September or October 2027.

• Agricultural Engineering
• Agriculture
• Animal Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Biochemistry
• Bioengineering
• Biology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Biotechnology
• Business Administration
• Business Analytics
• Business Management

1. 1

   Check your eligibility

   Before starting the application, confirm that you are a citizen of, or have eligible refugee status in, one of the Commonwealth countries listed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). You must also meet the academic, residency, financial-need, and study-start requirements. Afghanistan is not currently included in the eligible-country list.

2. 2

   Choose an eligible Master’s course and UK university

   Select a full-time taught Master’s programme at an approved UK university. The programme should be relevant to one of the CSC’s development themes and should normally begin in September or October 2027. Check the university’s own admission and English-language requirements before applying.

3. 3

   Identify your nominating agency

   Applicants must apply through an eligible nominating agency in addition to submitting an application through the CSC Central system. Nominating agencies may include national government departments, universities, or other organisations authorised by the CSC. Each agency can have its own eligibility requirements and internal deadline.

4. 4

   Prepare your documents

   Prepare your academic transcripts, degree certificates or other evidence of qualifications, references, proof of citizenship or eligible refugee status, and any other documents required by your nominating agency and selected university. Documents that are not in English should normally be accompanied by certified English translations where required.

5. 5

• Proof of Citizenship or Refugee Status — A valid passport or national ID card showing the applicant's photograph, date of birth and country of citizenship, or appropriate evidence of eligible refugee status.
• Full Higher Education Transcripts — Full transcripts for all higher education qualifications, including current transcripts for courses still in progress. Certified translations are required where transcripts are not in English.
• Reference Letters — At least two references must be uploaded in PDF format. References must be signed and provided on institutional letterhead or from an email clearly showing the referee's details.

• Website
• Official Scholarship Page