Commonwealth Scholarships

About this scholarship

Commonwealth Scholarships are funded by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission to enable talented students from Commonwealth countries — with a strong focus on low- and middle-income nations — to undertake postgraduate study in the UK. The Commission runs several schemes, including Commonwealth Master's Scholarships, PhD Scholarships, Shared Scholarships (with UK universities), and Distance Learning Scholarships. Awards generally cover approved tuition fees, return economy airfare to and from the UK, and a monthly living stipend, along with additional grants such as thesis, study-travel, and warm-clothing allowances. Applicants do not apply directly to the Commission alone: you must apply through one of the CSC's approved nominating bodies (typically a national nominating agency in your home country or, for some schemes, a UK university) and submit your application via the CSC's online application system. Selection emphasises academic merit, development impact, and — for several schemes — financial need, since the scholarships target candidates who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

Eligibility

• Be a citizen or permanent resident of an eligible Commonwealth country
• Apply through an approved nominating agency or UK university (scheme-dependent)
• Submit your application via the CSC online application system
• Meet the academic entry requirements (often a strong first degree)
• For need-based schemes, be unable to afford UK study without the award