Commonwealth Scholarships

Commonwealth Master's Scholarships fund a full-time, one-year taught master's at a UK university for candidates from eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries. Commonwealth PhD Scholarships fund 36 months of full-time doctoral study for candidates from the least developed countries and vulnerable states in the Commonwealth; for 2027-28 that list has 17 countries, from Bangladesh, Nigeria and Pakistan to Kiribati, Tuvalu and Zambia.

Alongside these, Commonwealth Shared Scholarships fund selected one-year master's courses jointly with UK universities (around 180 are expected for 2027-28, applied for between early November and mid-December), and the Commission also runs distance learning and split-site awards, and fellowships for professionals. Each has its own page, eligibility list and dates.

Master's and PhD Scholarships pay full approved tuition fees, an approved return airfare between home and the UK, a monthly stipend of 1,712 pounds (2,000 pounds for universities in the London metropolitan area) and a study travel grant. PhD scholars can also receive a return fare to their fieldwork location and, in some cases, a fare home mid-way through the award.

Scholars may bring dependants, subject to UK immigration rules, and family allowances may be paid. The Commission is clear that these are only a contribution to the cost of supporting a family in the UK, and that living costs are very high, so applicants need their own means to support dependants.

Applicants must be citizens of an eligible Commonwealth country, or hold refugee status granted by one, or be British Protected Persons, and be permanently resident in an eligible country. They need a first degree of at least upper second-class honours, or a lower second plus a relevant postgraduate qualification, and must be unable to afford UK study without the scholarship. Disabled candidates without a 2:1 can be nominated with context through the Commonwealth Disabled People's Forum.

Work experience is not required, and the Commission does not ask for IELTS or any other English test, though UK universities may. Courses must fit the development themes and the UN Sustainable Development Goals: MBAs and research master's degrees are not funded, and nor is work on extracting, producing or marketing fossil fuels.

A scholarship funds one degree and is not extended. Scholars study full-time, need the Commission's approval for paid work and overseas travel, and sign an undertaking to return home as soon as the award ends. They are expected to leave the UK within a month of the end of the award or the end of the programme, whichever comes first, and switching to the Graduate Route or another visa to stay on is not allowed. The only exception is a master's scholar who wins a fully funded PhD place.

Awards can be ended for unsatisfactory conduct, progress or attendance, and scholars are bound by UK law and the Commission's Code of Conduct.

The Commission puts development impact at the centre of the award, and supports it with training: an online course on understanding development impact since 2019, and a Leaders for Sustainable Development programme for scholars since 2021. Its magazine Common Knowledge, published since 2015, keeps the community of scholars and alumni in touch.