Commonwealth Scholarships
UK Government-funded scholarships and fellowships for citizens of Commonwealth countries to study or research at UK universities and institutions.
Overview
Commonwealth Scholarships are funded by the UK Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). The program provides opportunities for citizens of Commonwealth countries to study at UK universities. Key award types include Commonwealth Master's Scholarships (for students from developing Commonwealth countries to pursue taught master's degrees in the UK), Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for doctoral study), Commonwealth Shared Scholarships (for low-income Commonwealth countries), and Commonwealth Academic Fellowships (for academics and professionals). The program aims to contribute to the UK's development partnerships.
What You Can Find Here
- Commonwealth Master's Scholarships for taught master's degree study in the UK (for developing Commonwealth countries)
- Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for doctoral study at UK universities
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for jointly nominated candidates from developing Commonwealth countries
- Commonwealth Academic Fellowships for mid-career academics and professionals
- Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships for online degree study
- Full funding including tuition, living allowance, airfare, and thesis allowance
Who Should Use This
- Citizens of developing Commonwealth countries seeking master's degrees in the UK
- Citizens of Commonwealth countries seeking doctoral study at UK universities
- Academic professionals from Commonwealth countries seeking fellowship opportunities
- Applicants demonstrating potential to contribute to development in their home countries
How to Get Started
- Step 1: Visit cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk to find available award types and check if your country is eligible for specific awards
- Step 2: Applications for master's scholarships open in late summer/autumn for studies starting the following year
- Step 3: Apply through the CSC online application portal - you do not need to have applied to a UK university first
- Step 4: Prepare a personal statement, development impact plan, academic references, and academic transcripts
- Step 5: Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by the CSC; selected scholars are then matched with UK universities
Things to Check Before Applying
- Different award types are available for different Commonwealth countries - not all awards are open to all countries
- Development impact: Commonwealth Scholarships emphasize the scholar's plan to contribute to their home country after study
- The return home requirement: scholars are expected to return to their home country after completing the award
- Most awards are for citizens of developing Commonwealth countries - check your country's eligibility on the CSC website
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UK itself eligible for Commonwealth Scholarships?
UK citizens are not eligible for Commonwealth Scholarships, which are specifically for citizens of other Commonwealth countries. UK students may apply for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for UK institutions.
Do I need to be admitted to a UK university to apply?
No. For most CSC awards you apply to the scholarship program first. If selected, the CSC works with UK universities to secure your admission.
What is the development impact requirement?
All CSC applications require a statement explaining how you will use your UK education to contribute to development in your home country. This is a core selection criterion.
How many Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded each year?
The CSC awards over 700 scholarships and fellowships annually across all award types.
Are there Commonwealth Scholarships for distance learning?
Yes. Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships support part-time online master's degrees in the UK, allowing scholars to remain in their home countries while studying.
Need to monitor opportunities like this automatically?
Cuberfy can help build custom monitoring, alerting and data-feed workflows for grants, tenders, fellowships and other opportunity portals — tailored for your team or research needs.
Request custom monitoring →