Commonwealth Scholarships

Commonwealth Scholarships for master’s and PhD study in the UK are offered for citizens of selected Commonwealth countries.

These scholarships are funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), with the aim of contributing to the UK’s international development.

Students from developing countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK can apply for Commonwealth Scholarships for master’s or PhD study.

Purpose: to contribute to the development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled and qualified professionals and academics who would not otherwise have been able to study in the UK.

Intended beneficiaries high-quality postgraduate students who have not studied extensively overseas before, who would not otherwise have the opportunity to study in the UK, and who have the potential to enhance the development of their home countries with the knowledge and leadership skills they acquire.

At a glance

• Funding value: All tuition fees, travel and living costs

• Suitable for Applicants from: Rest of world

• Deadline: On going

• Funding provider(s): Commonwealth Scholarship Commission

What it covers

• Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor usually the cost of journeys made before your award is finally confirmed).

• Approved tuition and examination fees.

• Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,133 per month (rates quoted at 2021-2022 levels).

• Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable.

• Warm clothing allowance, where applicable.

• Study travel grant towards the costs of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.

• For PhD scholars, fieldwork grant towards the cost of fieldwork undertaken overseas (usually the cost of one economy class return airfare to your fieldwork location), where approved.

• For PhD scholars, paid mid-term visit (airfare) to your home country (unless you have claimed, or intend to claim, spouse and/or child allowances during your scholarship, or have received a return airfare to your home country for fieldwork).

Who can apply

To apply for these scholarships, you must:

• Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person

• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country

• Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in the following September/October;

• If you are a PhD applicant, you must have the support of a potential supervisor from at least one UK university listed in your application form;

• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.

The CSC would not normally fund a second UK master’s degree. If you are applying for a second UK master’s degree, you will need to provide justification as to why you wish to undertake this study.

The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination, and encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates.