The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) will open applications for its Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships for the 2027/28 academic year on Tuesday, 8 September 2026. The programme supports eligible candidates from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries to undertake a full-time, one-year taught Master’s degree at a UK university.
Key dates
- Applications open: 8 September 2026
- Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) deadline: 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST
- Expected result: By July 2027
- Study begins: September or October 2027
The dates are correct and come directly from the official CSC page. Nominating organisations submit candidates by December 2026, the CSC completes selection and university placement during 2027, applicants are expected to receive outcomes by July 2027, and successful Scholars begin study in September or October 2027. A nominating agency may also set an earlier application deadline.
Official application links
CSC Central is the direct online scholarship application system. The official scholarship page states that the 2027/28 application window opens on 8 September 2026. However, submitting the CSC Central form alone is not enough: every applicant must also complete the separate process of an approved national nominating agency or participating organisation. The CSC does not accept an application without nomination.
Do not wait until the final day. CSC Central requires two-factor authentication, and applications cannot be edited after submission. The CSC does not charge an application fee.
What the scholarship covers
- Approved return airfare between the Scholar’s home country and the United Kingdom.
- Full approved tuition fees.
- A monthly living allowance of £1,712, or £2,000 for Scholars at universities in the London metropolitan area, at the rates currently published by the CSC.
- A study travel grant for approved study-related travel.
- Assessed disability support where applicable.
- Limited child allowances for eligible widowed, divorced, or single-parent Scholars whose children live with them in the UK.
Published conditions and allowance rates may change. Confirm the current terms on the official scholarship page before making financial decisions.
Who can apply?
- Citizens of, recognised refugees in, or British Protected Persons connected to an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Applicants permanently resident in an eligible country.
- Applicants available to begin study in the UK by September 2027.
- Applicants who will hold at least an upper second-class first degree by September 2027, or a lower second-class degree together with a relevant postgraduate qualification.
- Applicants who could not otherwise afford UK study.
- Applicants who submit every required supporting document correctly and on time.
The CSC publishes a contextual nomination route for some disabled applicants who can demonstrate development potential but do not hold a 2:1 undergraduate degree. There is no general CSC age limit.
Eligible countries
Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, 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, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, and Zambia.
Documents to prepare
- A valid passport or national identity document showing citizenship, photograph, and date of birth.
- Complete transcripts for all higher-education qualifications, including every page and certified English translations where needed.
- At least two signed references in PDF format, on institutional letterhead or in an email that clearly identifies the sender.
Missing transcripts, incomplete pages, late references, or documents submitted outside CSC Central can make an application ineligible.
How the application works
- Check the official CSC rules and the requirements of your country’s nominating agency.
- Research suitable one-year taught Master’s programmes in the UK. MBA programmes are not funded.
- Prepare your development-impact statement, study plan, personal statement, career plans, leadership evidence, and referee details.
- From 8 September, complete and submit the application through CSC Central.
- Complete the separate nominator process before its own deadline.
- Apply to preferred UK universities early, as advised by the CSC.
Five actions to take before 8 September
- Confirm that your country is on the official eligibility list.
- Locate your nominating agency and check for additional rules or an earlier deadline.
- Shortlist three appropriate UK courses and connect them to development needs in your country.
- Request complete transcripts and approach referees now.
- Draft your development-impact answers outside the application system for review.
Final reminder
Scholarship details can change. Always follow the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission page and your nominating agency’s instructions. Swan Study Bridge provides general educational information and does not make nomination, admission, visa, or funding decisions.
Source checked: 1 September 2026 · Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK