Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2026 – Now Open
- Omran Aburayya
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
If you’re a talented individual from an eligible Commonwealth country driven by sustainable development goals but lack the funds to study in the UK, the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2026 are your gateway to change. Led by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), this fully funded programme empowers future leaders to build a brighter, globally connected future. Here's everything you need to know about this exciting opportunity.
🎓 Commonwealth Scholarship Summary
Location: United Kingdom
Host Institution: Any UK university with CSC funding agreements
Study Level: Full-time taught Master’s degree (one year)
Target Group: Citizens or refugees from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries; British Protected Persons; permanent residents
Fields of Study: Aligned with CSC’s six development themes:
Access, Inclusion and Opportunity
Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Science and Technology for Development
Strengthening Global Peace, Security and Governance
Strengthening Health Systems and Capacity
Strengthening Resilience and Responses to Crises
Value & Coverage:
Approved return airfare
Full tuition fee coverage
Monthly stipend: £1,452 (outside London) or £1,781 (London)
Warm clothing allowance (if applicable)
Study travel grant
Child allowance—£622/month for first child and £154/month for second and third child (for single parents)
Disability support where relevant (needs-based assessment)
Duration: One academic year—the programme does not support additional qualifications or extended studies
Application Deadline: 14 October 2025 (varies by nominating body)
Start Date: September/October 2026 (UK academic year)
Eligible To: Candidates nominated by national agencies, NGOs or charitable bodies—no direct applications to CSC
📚 Scholarship Overview
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are an agency-nominated scheme—part of the broader CSC portfolio—funded by the UK FCDO. They aim to foster sustainable development by enabling bright students from eligible Commonwealth countries to undertake Master’s study in the UK. Nominators (such as government agencies, NGOs, or charities) submit candidates for CSC's selection. Importantly, nominations do not equal selection, and final decisions rest with CSC. Results are expected by July 2026, and applicants should check all email folders (including spam) for communications. Offers may be withdrawn if unacknowledged within the specified timeframe .
💰 Benefits
Full coverage of tuition, airfare, and a living stipend
Warm clothing allowance, travel grant, childcare support, and disability accommodations
Access to world-class UK universities and global networks
Opportunity to build skills in areas directly impacting international development
🌐 Eligible Countries (for 2026)
Candidates must come from one of these eligible Commonwealth countries:
Bangladesh, Belize*, Botswana, Cameroon, Dominica*, Eswatini, Fiji*, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada*, Guyana*, India, Jamaica*, Kenya, Kiribati*, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives*, Mauritius*, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru*, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea*, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia*, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines*, Samoa*, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga*, Tuvalu*, Uganda, Vanuatu*, Zambia
(*Small Island Developing States; may have special Time-Limited Programme considerations)
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
Be a citizen or refugee of an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
Permanently reside in that country
Be able to start the programme in the UK by September 2026
Hold a qualifying degree by September 2026:
Upper second-class (2:1) honours or
Lower second-class (2:2) honours plus a relevant postgraduate qualification
(Special consideration for disabled applicants via the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum nominator)
Demonstrate financial need—unable to afford UK study without the scholarship
Provide all required supporting documentation in the correct format by the deadline
📝 Application Procedure
Nominator Process
As well as applying to the CSC, applicants must apply to a nominator.
There are two types of nominator invited to participate in the Master’s Scholarship programme:
National nominating agencies – this is the main route of application.
Selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies.
Find and apply through your national nominating agency or a recognized NGO/charity
Agencies may impose internal deadlines earlier than 14 October 2025
Confirm eligibility and application guidance with the nominator
📂 Supporting Documentation (to be uploaded to CSC's online system):
Proof of citizenship/refugee status: valid passport or national ID
Full transcripts of all higher education qualifications (and current courses), with certified translations if not in English
At least two references in PDF: signed, on institutional letterhead or from institutional email addresses (submitted via the online system only, not separately)
Additional application elements:
List of education qualifications, publications, prizes, and employment history
Details of three referees (one must be a current employer if applicable)
Development Impact Statement, covering:
Links to development issues—global, national, local and CSC themes
How skills gained will be used after the scholarship
Expected outcomes, timeline, and beneficiaries
How impact will be measured and evidenced
Statement of award objectives and 5-year career plan, plus long-term plans
Plan of study and personal statement (highlighting background, leadership, voluntary work, personal/community challenges addressed)
📂 Resources
There is a template application form and guidance document available to assist applicants when applying.
Choosing a University in the UK
One of the most important steps in the application process is selecting the right university and course. The CSC requires applicants to list three universities and courses in order of preference. These choices cannot normally be changed after selection.
When choosing, applicants should:
Research courses relevant to their academic background and aligned with one of CSC’s six development themes.
Check admission requirements and deadlines for each university, as CSC does not guarantee course placement.
💡Explore resources like:
Study UK – British Council
Discover Uni for comparing courses and universities
Research Excellence Framework (REF) results for university research quality
ℹ️ Consider location and cost of living (stipends differ between London and other cities).
Apply directly for university admission in parallel with the CSC application to avoid missing course deadlines
🧭 The CSC reserves the right to make the final decision on placement based on suitability, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with development priorities.
💡 Final Note
This scholarship is highly competitive and impactful. Start early by connecting with your nominating agency, preparing your documents, and crafting your Development Impact Statement with clarity and depth. Apply as soon as you are ready.
