Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships for 2027–28 are open, with the CSC application closing on October 20, 2026, at 16:00 BST. Study begins in September or October 2027. Applicants need both a CSC Central application and the appropriate nomination route; the nominating agency may have an earlier deadline.
Which Commonwealth programme is this?
This guide covers the agency-nominated full-time taught Master’s programme for eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries. Shared, Distance Learning, PhD and other Commonwealth programmes have separate rules. Use the official Master’s scholarship page for this application.
| Academic year | 2027–28 |
|---|---|
| Study level | Full-time taught Master’s |
| CSC deadline | October 20, 2026, 16:00 BST |
| Application system | CSC Central |
| Additional route | Eligible nominating agency or participating organisation |
What financial assistance is provided?
The current programme page lists approved tuition fees, approved return airfare and a living stipend of £1,712 per month, or £2,000 in the London metropolitan area. Study-travel and specified additional support have conditions. The quoted rates are current levels, not an unconditional promise that every rate remains unchanged through the award.
Plan accompanying-family costs separately. Conditional family assistance is a contribution, and the CSC does not promise full dependent costs. Review the award’s terms before committing to travel, housing or expenses that have not been approved.
Academic and country requirements
Applicants must meet the programme’s eligible citizenship or status and permanent-residence conditions, be available to begin in September 2027, and be unable to afford UK study without the scholarship. The usual academic requirement is a 2:1 degree or a 2:2 plus a relevant postgraduate qualification, subject to stated contextual provisions.
Check the official country list and full exclusions. Membership of the Commonwealth alone is not proof of eligibility for this particular scheme. Nominators can impose additional conditions beyond the CSC requirements.
Why nomination is necessary
The official agency directory identifies the organisations invited to nominate candidates. National agencies run their own selection processes, and applicants should direct agency-specific questions to the relevant organisation. Selected NGOs and charitable bodies provide additional routes described by the CSC.
Make a checklist with separate deadlines for the CSC, your nominator and university admission. Do not assume that submitting to one automatically completes the others. A nomination allows consideration; it does not guarantee a scholarship.
Supporting documents
The application needs qualifying identity or status evidence, complete higher-education transcripts with required translations, and at least two signed references in the specified PDF format. The documents must be uploaded within the application system by the deadline.
Ask referees early and give them your proposed course and development objectives. They should write their own assessments. Check that transcripts contain all pages and that each PDF opens correctly before submission.
How to prepare a strong application
- Confirm the eligible programme, country and nomination route.
- Contact the nominator about its current selection requirements.
- Research suitable university courses and their admission conditions.
- Complete the CSC Central form and upload all required evidence.
- Review and submit before both applicable deadlines.
The published selection criteria assess academic merit, the quality of Master’s study plans and development impact. Course research should connect what you want to learn with concrete objectives, rather than simply describe a university as prestigious.
For development impact, explain the need, intended beneficiaries, expected outcomes and how change could be measured. A useful draft names a practical problem and the skill the course would help you apply. Separate what you can personally influence from outcomes requiring other organisations’ decisions.
Use the official applicant advice for preparation. Keep your final answers outside the portal as a working copy, while protecting personal information. Review everything carefully because the CSC says submitted applications cannot be edited.
After submission
Retain your reference details and monitor email, including spam folders. The programme expects outcomes by July 2027. Continue meeting university admission requirements while scholarship selection proceeds.
Related UK opportunities
Compare Chevening, the Churchill Fellowship and Rhodes.
Frequently asked questions
Is a CSC application alone enough?
No. The relevant nomination route is also required.
Can my agency deadline be earlier?
Yes. Check it separately.
Does nomination guarantee selection?
No. The scholarship remains competitive.