The scholarships offer an opportunity for future leaders and influencers from all over the world who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK to develop professionally and academically, network, experience UK culture and build lasting positive relationships with the UK.
Applications for 2024/25 entry for the Commonwealth Masters scholarships and for the PhD scholarship programme have now closed.
Information for 2025 entry will be provided by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in due course.
About the scholarship
These scholarships are awarded to outstanding scholars with the ability to create change.
Awards are typically for a one-year master's degree but are also open to PhD students from least developed countries/fragile states and high income countries.
Those for PhD students offer an opportunity to undertake full-time doctoral study at a UK university as well as a scheme for those studying at eligible universities across the Commonwealth to conduct research in the UK for 12 months.
Commonwealth Scholarships are a global programme focused on international development objectives funded by the UK Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and managed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC).
The programme demonstrates the UK Government’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth.
The scholarships offer an opportunity for future leaders and influencers from all over the world who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK to develop professionally and academically, network, experience UK culture and build lasting positive relationships with the UK.
Who can apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship?
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are for candidates from eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries to undertake full-time taught Master’s study at a UK university. Applicants should be high calibre graduates who have the potential to make change.
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are for high-quality graduates from Commonwealth countries who have the potential to undertake world-class research of a developmental nature and to become influential leaders, teachers, or researchers in their home countries. Funding is for full time doctoral study at a UK university.
Commonwealth Split-Site PhD Scholarships are for high-quality graduates from eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries whose proposed research has a developmental focus and who have the potential to become influential teachers or researchers in their home countries.
Candidates come from 56 Commonwealth countries worldwide. There are over 31,000 Commonwealth scholarship alumni around the world who together comprise an influential global network.
What does the scholarship cover?
These Scholarships cover:
- Tuition fees
- A living allowance at a set rate (for one individual)
- An economy class return airfare to the UK
- Warm clothing allowance, where applicable
- Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas
- Family/ child allowance in certain circumstances
- Thesis grant (for Master's Scholarships)
- Eligibility for additional financial support if you have a disability.
How to apply
To become a candidate for the scholarship you will need to apply online through the Commonwealth website.
As part of the application process you will need to submit references and take part in a face-to-face interview.
The CSC website provides guidance and support to help prepare you for the application process, along with full details of the conditions of each scholarship; you should ensure you read these carefully before applying.
The application cycle for the scholarship begins approximately one year before you are scheduled to begin your university course, so you will need to plan your application early.