# Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/2028 – Fully Funded Study in the UK

- Link: https://scholarshipnations.com/commonwealth-masters-scholarships-2027-2028/
- Published: 2026-08-04T09:00:00+00:00
- Author: Scholarship Nations Team

_Last reviewed: September 28, 2026, against the official scholarship sources listed
below._

**Current status:** The 2027/28 call for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships opened
on 8 September 2026. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) deadline is **
20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST**, but most candidates apply through a national nominating
agency that often sets an _earlier_ deadline. Find out your nominator’s date first.
Studies begin in the UK in September/October 2027.

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships provide fully funded opportunities for students
from eligible low and middle-income Commonwealth countries to study a one-year taught
master’s degree in the United Kingdom. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & 
Development Office (FCDO) and managed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission(
CSC), these scholarships aim to support future leaders who will contribute to the
sustainable development of their home countries.

These scholarships are among the most respected fully funded opportunities available
to students from the Commonwealth. They cover almost all major costs associated 
with studying in the UK.

## What the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship Covers

 * Full approved tuition fees, paid by agreement between the CSC and the UK university
 * A monthly living allowance. For recent intakes this was £1,452 per month outside
   London and £1,781 per month in the London area, and rates are reviewed each year
 * Return economy airfare from your home country to the UK
 * A study travel grant and, where applicable, a warm clothing allowance
 * Additional support in some cases, such as a child allowance or disability support

The package is designed to remove the main financial barriers to study, but always
check the current terms on the CSC website.

## Other Commonwealth Scholarship Programmes

This guide covers the **Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships** for one-year, full-
time taught master’s programmes. The CSC also runs other schemes, each with its 
own call, eligibility rules and deadlines:

 * Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, for doctoral research
 * Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, jointly funded with UK universities for selected
   development-related courses
 * Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships, for part-time distance learning 
   master’s programmes

Check the CSC website to see which scheme fits your situation.

## Eligibility Criteria

 * Be a citizen of, or have refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country,
   or be a British Protected Person
 * Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
 * Be available to start your studies in the UK by the beginning of the UK academic
   year in September/October 2027
 * Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or
   equivalent, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification
 * Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
 * Meet any extra criteria set by your national nominating agency

The CSC does not normally fund a second master’s degree. If you already hold one,
you will need to explain why further study is needed.

## Application Process

The CSC does not accept direct applications for this scheme. In practice you deal
with up to three separate processes at the same time:

 1. **Your nominating body.** Apply to a national nominating agency (the main route)
    or to an approved charity or non-governmental organisation. Each has its own selection
    process and closing date.
 2. **The CSC application.** Submit your application, references and supporting documents
    through the CSC’s online system, CSC Central, before the CSC deadline.
 3. **Your university choices.** Candidates also apply to UK universities, because 
    the scholarship is tied to a place on an eligible course.

Nominating bodies send their candidates to the CSC by December 2026, and applicants
can expect to hear the outcome around July 2027. The CSC does not accept documents
by email or post, and it warns applicants to use only its official website.

## Tips for a Competitive Application

 * Clearly demonstrate how your proposed studies will contribute to the development
   of your home country.
 * Show a strong academic background and relevant work or research experience.
 * Choose referees who can speak in detail about your abilities and potential.
 * Make sure your development impact statement is specific and realistic.

**Official website:** [https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/](https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/)

_Disclaimer: Always confirm the latest deadlines, eligible countries, and application
routes on the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website, as they can 
vary by year and by country._

**Related reading:** [How to Find Legitimate Scholarships and Avoid Scams](https://scholarshipnations.com/how-to-find-legitimate-scholarships/)·
[How to Write a Scholarship Personal Statement](https://scholarshipnations.com/how-to-write-a-scholarship-personal-statement/)·
[Scholarship Application Checklist](https://scholarshipnations.com/scholarship-application-checklist/)
