Commonwealth Master's Scholarships

Full tuition, return airfare, a monthly stipend (£1,712, or £2,000 in London, at current rates) and a study travel grant, plus some support for single parents with children.

• Citizen of, or refugee from, an eligible Commonwealth country (or a British Protected Person), and permanently resident there
• First degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) by September 2027, or a 2:2 plus a relevant postgraduate qualification
• Unable to afford UK study without the scholarship
• Haven't already studied at master's level at a UK institution; a second master's isn't normally funded
• Able to start in the UK by September 2027 and committed to returning home afterwards
• No IELTS or other English test required by the CSC
• UK government employees and their relatives, and current ACU or British Council staff, can't apply

For citizens or refugees of eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries who live there permanently and couldn't otherwise afford UK study. You need at least an upper second-class (2:1) degree, or a 2:2 plus a relevant postgraduate qualification. You apply through a national nominating body; the CSC doesn't take direct applications.

1. 1

   Step 1: Find your nominating body

   Apply through your national nominating agency or an approved NGO or charity, because the CSC doesn't accept direct applications. Check the nominator's own criteria and closing date, which may be earlier than the CSC's.

2. 2

   Step 2: Apply to UK universities early

   List three UK universities and courses in order of preference, with reasons. Apply for admission before or alongside the scholarship, as many courses have strict deadlines.

3. 3

   Step 3: Complete the CSC Central application

   Fill in the application on CSC Central (portal.csccentralonline.org.uk), preparing your answers offline first. You can't edit it after you submit.

4. 4

   Step 4: Upload documents and references

   Upload your ID, full transcripts and at least two signed references by 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026. Late applications aren't accepted.

5. 5

   Step 5: Wait for nomination and results

   Nominators send their candidates to the CSC by December 2026, and results arrive by email by July 2027. Check your spam folder.

• Passport or national ID card (or proof of refugee status)
• Full transcripts for all higher-education qualifications
• Certified English translations of any non-English transcripts
• At least two signed references (PDF, on letterhead)

Deadline

For study starting in September 2027, the CSC deadline is 16:00 BST on Tuesday 20 October 2026, but your nominating body may close earlier.

Applications usually close in mid-to-late October (20 October in 2026) for study starting the following September/October. Your nominating body may set an earlier deadline. Results usually come by July.