Commonwealth Scholarship 2027-28 in the UK | Fully Funded

Overview

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC), with funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, offers fully funded master's and PhD scholarships for 2027-28 at approved UK universities. They are for people from eligible Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. Scholarships are offered under six development themes: science and technology for development, strengthening health systems and capacity, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, strengthening peace, security and governance, strengthening resilience and response to crises, and access, inclusion and opportunity.

There is no age limit. Applicants need good academic potential, and PhD applicants also need strong research potential. The CSC does not require IELTS, though individual universities may set their own English requirements.

Who can apply

Master's applicants must be citizens of an eligible Commonwealth country, hold refugee status there or be a British Protected Person, and live permanently in an eligible country. They must be available to start in the UK in September 2027 and hold at least an upper second-class degree, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification. They must be unable to afford UK study without the scholarship and return home afterwards. Those who have already studied at master's level in the UK are not eligible.

PhD applicants need a similar degree background and must not have been enrolled in a PhD, or an MPhil leading to one, before September or October 2026.

Eligible countries include Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, among others in the Commonwealth.

What you get

Master's scholarships cover tuition, airfare, a monthly stipend of 1,712 pounds, or 2,000 pounds in the London area, a warm clothing allowance if needed, a study-related travel grant, and child and disability allowances. PhD scholarships provide the same monthly stipend, a return air ticket for fieldwork overseas, airfare for a mid-term visit under certain conditions and family allowances.