Commonwealth Scholarship 2026/27 in UK (Masters, PhD)

The Commonwealth Scholarship Program is now accepting applications to study in the United Kingdom in the 2026/27 academic year. It is a fully funded and one of the most prestigious international student scholarships provided by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The scholarship offers talented people of low and middle-income Commonwealth countries the chance to study higher education in the UK. Awardees can pursue a one-year Master or three-year PhD.

The Commonwealth Scholarship, similar to Chevening, Gates Cambridge and Rhodes Scholarships, is considered to be one of the most prestigious UK government-funded scholarships. The 2026/27 intake will start in September 2026. The full information, with the eligibility and application procedures, is provided below.

Information on the UK Commonwealth Scholarship 2026/27.

Country: United Kingdom
scholarship: Commonwealth Scholarship (CSC)
Degrees: Master, PhD.
Financial Coverage: Fully Funded.
Masters application deadline: October 14, 2025.
PhD Application Deadline: October 14, 2025.

Also Check: Rhodes Scholarship 2026: Apply for Fully Funded Oxford Program

Financial Coverage

The Commonwealth Scholarship is fully funded, and it offers recipients:

Round-trip airfare to the UK
Full tuition fee coverage
Living allowance monthly.
Winter warm clothing allowance.
Thesis grant on approved research-related expenditure.
Academic study travel grants.
Additional child allowance: £622 per month on the first child, and 154 per month on the second and third child (under 16), should the candidate be widowed, divorced or a single parent.
Additional allowance to scholars with a disability, where appropriate.

What is the Application Process of the UK Commonwealth Scholarship?

The application procedure consists of two steps:

1) Online Application using CSC Portal.

All applications should be made through the Commonwealth Online Application System (OAS). Paper applications and documents submitted outside the portal are not accepted by the CSC. It is advisable that applicants apply early because the system usually becomes busy towards the deadline.

2) Use a Nominating Agency.

Candidates also have to apply to a nominating agency in their home country. This could be:

Most candidates go through national nominating agencies.
Chosen non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or charity organizations.

Other nominating agencies may be added to PhD applicants:

Universities or university organizations (nomination of academic staff)
National nominating agencies.
NGOs and charitable bodies

Nominating agencies will shortlist and submit applications to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) to be selected. Applications to CSC that are not agency endorsed will not be accepted.

Supporting Documents that are required.

To be considered, the following must be uploaded by the applicants:

Evidence of citizenship or refugee status in a qualified Commonwealth country.
An original copy of a passport (photo page)
Complete educational records of university degrees (and certified English translations where required)
Most recent enrollment transcripts (assuming still in school)
Two sources on institutional letterhead (signed and scanned in PDF)

Also Check: Fully Funded Italian Government MAECI Scholarship 2025–2026

Outcome of Application

The results will be announced to the applicants by July 2026.

How to apply with a low GPA.

With a lower CGPA, you can apply to universities in smaller cities in the UK, where the competition might not be as fierce. See our blog on Studying in the UK with Low CGPA.

Tips to Select a University or Course in the UK.

It is up to the applicants to choose their program and institution. Helpful resources include:

Study UK (British Council) – course search and student advice.

How to become a postgraduate student – a guide to postgraduate study.

Postgrad.com – postgraduate search and postgraduate advice.

Prospects – postgraduate study information.

REF 2021 Results – quality ratings of institutions in the UK.

UCAS Postgraduate – postgraduate application advice.

Discover Uni – official course comparison site.

UKCISA international student advice and support.

Eligible Countries

Here’s the list of eligible Commonwealth countries, written in a single-column (row by row) format for clarity:

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

Would you like me to also format this list in a clean table (with regions like Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Pacific grouped) for easier readability?

Eligibility Criteria

The applicants must:

Be a citizen or a refugee of a qualified Commonwealth country.
Be a permanent resident of the country.
Available to begin academic studies in the UK in September 2026.
Have at least an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree by September 2026.
Applicants who have a lower second-class degree also require a relevant postgraduate qualification (typically a Master’s degree).
Provide all supporting documents in the right format.

Also Check: King’s College London KURF Summer Paid Fellowship 2025

Scholarship Duration

Master Programs: One year (taught)
PhD Programs: Three years (full-time research)

Application Links

Master Scholarship: Apply here.
PhD Scholarship: Apply here

How Do I Apply?

The Commonwealth Scholarship 2026/27 is a fully funded scholarship to enable exceptional students throughout the Commonwealth to study in the UK and create a global impact. It is one of the most accessible and life-changing scholarships in the world with tuition, travel, stipends, and allowances.