Commonwealth Scholarships for master’s and PhD study in the UK are offered for citizens of selected Commonwealth countries.

These scholarships are funded by the UK , with the aim of contributing to the UK’s international development.

Students from developing countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK can apply for Commonwealth Scholarships for master’s or PhD study.

Purpose: to contribute to the development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled and qualified professionals and academics who would not otherwise have been able to study in the UK.

Intended beneficiaries high-quality postgraduate students who have not studied extensively overseas before, who would not otherwise have the opportunity to study in the UK, and who have the potential to enhance the development of their home countries with the knowledge and leadership skills they acquire.

At a glance

  • Funding valueAll tuition fees, travel and living costs
  • Suitable for Applicants fromRest of world
  • DeadlineOn going
  • Funding provider(s)Commonwealth Scholarship Commission

What it covers

  • Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor usually the cost of journeys made before your award is finally confirmed).
  • Approved tuition and examination fees.
  • Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,133 per month (rates quoted at 2021-2022 levels).
  • Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable.
  • Warm clothing allowance, where applicable.
  • Â鶹´«Ã½AV travel grant towards the costs of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
  • For PhD scholars, fieldwork grant towards the cost of fieldwork undertaken overseas (usually the cost of one economy class return airfare to your fieldwork location), where approved.
  • For PhD scholars, paid mid-term visit (airfare) to your home country (unless you have claimed, or intend to claim, spouse and/or child allowances during your scholarship, or have received a return airfare to your home country for fieldwork).

Who can apply

To apply for these scholarships, you must:

  • Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
  • Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
  • Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in the following September/October;
  • If you are a PhD applicant, you must have the support of a potential supervisor from at least one UK university listed in your application form;
  • Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.

The CSC would not normally fund a second UK master’s degree. If you are applying for a second UK master’s degree, you will need to provide justification as to why you wish to undertake this study.

The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination, and encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates.

Applicable courses

This funding opportunity is applicable to many courses, please see the 'Who can apply' section for more information.

Further information

You should apply to study at a UK university which has a part funding agreement with the CSC. .

How to apply

Applications usually open in September/ October each year. Please check the for more information.

You must apply to one of the following nominating bodies in the first instance – the CSC does not accept direct applications for these scholarships:

  • – this is the main route of application

All applications must be made through one of these nominating bodies. Each body is responsible for its own selection process and may have additional eligibility criteria. You must check with your nominating body for their specific advice and rules for applying, their own eligibility criteria, and their own closing date for applications.

If you are an Indian student who wishes to apply for the Commonwealth Masters Scholarship please contact our team at southasia@cranfield.ac.uk for assistance with the application process.

You must make your application using the CSC’s online application system, in addition to any other application that you are required to complete by your nominating body. The CSC will not accept any applications that are not submitted via the online application system.

You are advised to complete and submit your application as soon as possible, as the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline.

Please note that the CSC does not charge candidates to apply for any of its scholarships or fellowships through its online application system, and it does not charge organisations to nominate candidates.