Commonwealth Master's Scholarship

Overview

The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship lets talented students from lower and middle income Commonwealth countries study a full-time taught master's degree in the United Kingdom. It is funded by the UK government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and run by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. The aim is to support people who have the ability to study in the UK but could not otherwise afford it, and who want to use their skills to contribute to development back home.

This is a fully funded award. It covers your tuition, pays a monthly living allowance, and includes your return flights, along with several other grants. Because it is tied to development goals, the selection process looks closely at how your studies will translate into impact in your home country, not only at your grades.

You do not apply directly to the Commission. Instead, each eligible country has a national nominating agency that puts forward candidates, and some approved charities and NGOs can also nominate. That structure means the first thing to understand is the route in your own country and its internal deadline, which usually comes earlier than you would expect.

Key Facts at a Glance

Item	Detail
Funding Body	UK Government / FCDO, via the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
Host Country	United Kingdom
Degree Levels	Full-time taught master's
Value	Full tuition, monthly stipend (around £1,452, or £1,781 in London), return airfare and additional grants
Deadline	Set by national nominating agencies, typically October to December for September entry
Eligible Nationalities	Citizens of (or refugees in) eligible lower and middle income Commonwealth countries
Official Website	cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

You need at least an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree, or a lower second-class degree combined with a relevant postgraduate qualification such as a master's. The Commission expects a strong academic record because the award is competitive across many countries.

Nationality Requirements

You must be a citizen of, or have refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country, and be permanently resident there. The list covers many lower and middle income Commonwealth nations, including Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia, among others. Check the current list on the official site, as it can change.

Language Requirements

Your master's will be taught in English, so you must meet your chosen university's English language requirement. Confirm the specific test and score the institution asks for.

Financial & Other Requirements

You must be able to show that you could not afford to study in the UK without this scholarship. This financial-need test is central to the scheme. You apply for a full-time taught master's, and you should be ready to take up the award in the year offered, returning home afterwards to apply what you have learned.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Full tuition fees, arranged directly between the Commission and your UK university.
• A monthly living allowance of around £1,452, rising to about £1,781 if you study in the London area.
• Return economy airfare between your home country and the UK.
• A study travel grant toward study-related costs.
• A warm clothing allowance for the UK climate.
• A child allowance for eligible single, widowed, or divorced parents, paid per child under set rules.

How to Apply

1. Find your nominating body. Identify your country's national nominating agency, or an approved charity or NGO that can nominate you. The Commission does not accept direct applications.
2. Secure a UK master's place. Plan to study an eligible full-time taught master's at a UK university and check what each route requires.
3. Apply on the CSC online system. Complete the Commission's online application within the cycle, in addition to any forms your nominating body asks for.
4. Write a strong development impact statement. Explain clearly how your studies will benefit your home country, with concrete outcomes.
5. Submit before your nominator's deadline. Internal deadlines are usually earlier than the UK-wide timeline, so confirm the date your agency uses.
6. Await nomination and final selection. Your nominator forwards selected candidates to the CSC, which makes final decisions, typically by mid-year.

Required Documents

• A valid passport or national ID showing your citizenship.
• Full academic transcripts, with certified English translations where needed.
• At least two references in PDF format, on institutional letterhead.
• A development impact statement setting out the relevance and measurable outcomes of your study.
• Proof of your degree classification.
• Any additional forms required by your national nominating agency.

Key Dates & Deadlines

Stage	Typical Timing
CSC application cycle opens	Around the autumn before September entry
Nominating agency deadlines	Roughly October to December
Nominators submit to CSC	Around December
Outcomes announced	Around the middle of the following year
Study begins	September

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Tie your study plan to a specific development problem you want to address at home.
• Give measurable outcomes in your impact statement rather than broad ambitions.
• Choose a UK course that genuinely matches your goals, and say why.
• Start early so your references and translations are ready well before the deadline.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Missing your nominating agency's internal deadline, which is earlier than the UK timeline.
• Writing a vague development statement with no concrete impact.
• Ignoring the financial-need element of the application.
• Submitting references that are not on official letterhead or not in PDF as requested.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship fully funded?

Yes. It covers full tuition, a monthly living allowance, return airfare, and several extra grants, so it is a fully funded award.

Who is eligible for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship?

Citizens of, or refugees in, eligible lower and middle income Commonwealth countries who hold at least a 2:1 degree and could not otherwise afford UK study.

How do I apply for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship?

Through your country's national nominating agency or an approved nominating body, plus the CSC online application. Direct applications are not accepted.

What is the monthly stipend for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship?

The living allowance is around £1,452 a month, or about £1,781 if you study in the London area. Confirm the current figure on the official site.

What is the deadline for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship?

Deadlines are set by each national nominating agency, usually between October and December for September entry, so check your local date.

Which countries are eligible for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship?

Many lower and middle income Commonwealth countries qualify, including Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, and others. The full list is on the official website.

Does the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship cover flights?

Yes. It includes return economy airfare between your home country and the UK.

What degree class do I need for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship?

At least an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification.

Can I apply directly to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission?

No. You must be nominated through a national nominating agency or an approved NGO or charity.

Does the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship cover PhD study?

This particular award is for taught master's degrees. The Commission runs separate schemes for doctoral and other levels of study.

What is the development impact statement for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship?

It is a required part of the application where you explain how your studies will benefit your home country, with concrete and measurable outcomes.

Is there a financial-need assessment for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship?

Yes. You must show that you could not study in the UK without the scholarship, which is a core part of selection.