How to Apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship 2027/2028

The Commonwealth Scholarship 2027/28 provides opportunities for eligible Commonwealth citizens to pursue postgraduate study at universities in the United Kingdom.

 

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) funds the scholarships, which support talented individuals whose studies can contribute to sustainable development in their home countries.

 

For the 2027/28 academic year, Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships support full-time taught Master’s study, while Commonwealth PhD Scholarships support full-time doctoral study in the UK. Both programmes are scheduled to begin in September/October 2027.

 

Applications for the 2027/28 round open on 8 September 2026 and close at 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026. Applicants must also meet the requirements and deadlines of their relevant nominating agency.

QUICK FACTS

• Scholarship: Commonwealth Scholarship
• Provider: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC)
• Funding body: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
• Study level: Master’s and PhD
• Field of study: Eligible postgraduate courses aligned with the CSC development themes
• Country: United Kingdom
• Study mode: Full-time
• Study period: September/October 2027
• Funding: Fully funded, subject to the scholarship terms
• Eligibility: Citizens or eligible residents of participating Commonwealth countries who meet the relevant programme requirements
• Master’s deadline: 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST
• PhD deadline: 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST
• Application method: CSC Central and an eligible nominating agency
• Application fee: No CSC application fee

What Is the Commonwealth Scholarship?

The Commonwealth Scholarship is a UK government-funded scholarship programme administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. It supports talented candidates from eligible Commonwealth countries who would otherwise have difficulty financing postgraduate study in the UK.

 

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is intended for full-time taught Master’s study at a UK university. The Commonwealth PhD Scholarship supports full-time doctoral study and is focused on applicants whose research has the potential to contribute to the development of their home countries.

What Does the Common Wealth Scholarship Cover?

The Commonwealth Scholarship provides financial support to successful scholars according to the terms of the relevant scholarship programme.

Tuition: The scholarship covers approved tuition fees for the eligible programme.

Living Expenses: Successful scholars receive a monthly living allowance to help with day-to-day expenses in the UK.

Accommodation: Accommodation support may form part of the scholarship’s overall financial assistance through the living allowance and applicable allowances.

Travel: The scholarship provides approved return airfare between the scholar’s home country and the UK.

Insurance: Any applicable support is provided according to the scholarship’s official financial assistance and general conditions.

Other Funding: Depending on the programme and the scholar’s circumstances, additional allowances may be available, including study travel support and allowances for eligible dependants or disability-related needs.

Applicants should check the official financial assistance terms for the specific scholarship because the available allowances and conditions may vary.

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Who Can Apply for the Common Wealth Scholarship?

Academic Requirements

Applicants generally need to hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard by the relevant start date. Applicants with a lower second-class degree may be considered where they also hold a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master’s degree.

Nationality/Residency

Applicants must meet the nationality or residency requirements of the relevant Commonwealth Scholarship programme. For the Commonwealth PhD Scholarship, applicants must be citizens of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person, and must be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.

Nigeria is among the countries listed for Commonwealth Scholarship eligibility.

Study Requirements

Applicants must be available to begin their studies in the UK at the start of the 2027/28 academic year, in September/October 2027.

PhD applicants must also meet the specific doctoral eligibility conditions, including restrictions relating to existing PhD or MPhil registration.

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Age

The information provided for this scholarship does not establish a general age limit. Applicants should therefore check the current eligibility requirements for the specific scholarship and nominating agency.

Other Conditions

Applicants must satisfy both the CSC’s eligibility requirements and any additional conditions imposed by their nominating agency. Nominating agencies may set their own deadlines and selection requirements.

How to Apply for the Common Wealth Scholarship

The Commonwealth Scholarship application process involves applying to the CSC and an eligible nominating agency.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Confirm that you meet the requirements for the specific Commonwealth Master’s or PhD Scholarship and that your country is eligible.

Step 2: Choose Your University and Course

Identify a suitable UK university and eligible course that matches your academic background and career or research goals.

Applicants are strongly advised to seek admission to their proposed UK university at the time of, or as soon as possible after, submitting their CSC application.

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Step 3: Identify Your Nominating Agency

Check the nominating agencies available for your country and scholarship programme. Nominating agencies may include national agencies, eligible universities or other approved organisations, depending on the scholarship.

Step 4: Prepare Your Documents

Prepare your transcripts, references, proof of eligibility and other required documents in the specified format.

Step 5: Complete the CSC Application

Submit your application through the CSC’s online application system, CSC Central. The CSC does not accept applications or supporting documents submitted outside the required online system.

Step 6: Apply Through the Nominating Agency

You must also follow the application process of the relevant nominating agency. The agency may have an earlier deadline than the CSC.

Step 7: Submit Before the Deadline

For the 2027/28 round, applications to the CSC close at 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026. Nominating agencies may set earlier deadlines, so applicants should check their agency’s deadline separately.

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Scholarship Deadline & Timeline

StageDate/Timeline

2027/28 applications open 8 September 2026

CSC application deadline 20 October 2026, 16:00 BST

Nominating agency deadlines May be earlier than the CSC deadline

Study begins September/October 2027

The CSC states that nominating agencies for the PhD programme will nominate candidates to the CSC in December 2026, while applicants can expect to hear the outcome by July 2027.