The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2026 provide a life-changing opportunity for students from eligible Commonwealth countries to pursue a fully funded postgraduate degree in the United Kingdom. These scholarships are funded by the UK government through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and aim to support talented individuals who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

CSC Development Themes

Applicants must align their proposed study with one of the following CSC development themes:

  • Science and Technology for Development

  • Strengthening Health Systems and Capacity

  • Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship

  • Strengthening Global Peace, Security, and Governance

  • Strengthening Resilience and Response to Crises

  • Access, Inclusion, and Opportunity

Scholarship Details

  • Host Country: United Kingdom

  • Financial Coverage: Fully Funded

  • Eligible Regions: Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, Gabon, India, Jamaica, Namibia, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique, Nauru, Nigeria, Grenada, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St Helena, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, The Gambia, Tonga, Tuvalu, Togo, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia.

  • Deadline: October 14, 2025

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2026, applicants must:

  • Be a citizen, resident, or refugee of one of the eligible Commonwealth countries.

  • Be a British-protected person.

  • Be available to begin studies in the UK by September 2026.

  • Demonstrate financial need (students unable to fund UK studies on their own are strongly encouraged to apply).

  • Hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honors, or a second-class degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification.

  • Provide all required documents in the specified format.

 Note: The CSC does not normally fund a second Master’s degree. If applying for one, applicants must provide strong justification.

Benefits 

Successful scholars will receive:

  • Full tuition fees coverage.

  • Airfare from the home country to the UK and a return ticket after the scholarship ends.

  • Monthly stipend: £1,452 (outside London) or £1,781 (in London).

  • Warm clothing allowance.

  • Thesis/dissertation grant.

  • Study travel grants within or outside the UK.

  • Family support: £622 per month for the first child, plus £154 per month for the second and third child (under 16 years).

  • Additional support for scholars with disabilities.

This is a fully funded opportunity to gain a world-class education in the UK while exploring its culture and academic excellence.

Required Documents

Applicants must prepare and submit the following:

  • A valid passport or national ID (showing photograph, date of birth, and nationality).

  • Academic transcripts of all higher education qualifications.

  • Updated transcripts for ongoing studies (with English translations if required).

  • Two recommendation letters from academic referees on institutional letterhead.