The Commonwealth Scholarship 2025-2026 offers full funding for international students pursuing master’s and Ph.D. degrees. This scholarship covers university tuition, provides a monthly stipend of £1,347, includes an economy class return airfare to the UK, and offers additional grants and allowances to cover essential expenses.
Commonwealth Scholarships are granted to exceptional individuals who have the potential to make a significant global impact. Managed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK, these scholarships reflect the UK’s continued commitment to the Commonwealth. Each year, approximately 700 students are given the opportunity to pursue postgraduate degrees at UK universities.
If you are from a Commonwealth country, have a vision for making a difference in the world, and need financial support for your studies in the UK, you might be an ideal candidate for a Commonwealth Scholarship.
Commonwealth Scholarships are intended for students from Commonwealth countries who lack the financial means to study in the UK. These scholarships fund postgraduate studies in various formats, helping to cultivate future innovators and leaders. As the UK’s principal scholarship program dedicated to international development, this historic award aims to attract exceptional talent to UK universities while promoting sustainable development abroad.
Eligibility Criteria for Commonwealth Scholarship
To be eligible for a Commonwealth Scholarship, you must be a citizen or permanent resident of a Commonwealth country. Refugees and British-protected persons are also eligible. Applicants need an undergraduate honors degree with at least upper second-class (2:1) standing. For PhD candidates, a relevant master’s degree is required. You must also demonstrate financial need, as the scholarship is intended for those who cannot afford to study in the UK without support. Specific eligibility criteria for each scholarship and fellowship type can be found on the CSC website.
Commonwealth Scholarship Overview
Level of Study: Masters / Ph.D.
Institution(s): UK Universities.
Study in: UK
Courses Offered: One year Full-time taught Masters Degree Program in any subject. and for Ph.D. 36 months of full-time study in a specific program of research
Program Period: Depends on the selected program
Commonwealth Scholarship Deadline: October 17, 2024 (currently closed)
Commonwealth Scholarship Coverage
The Commonwealth Scholarship offers recipients the following benefits:
For Masters Applicants:
- Approved airfare: Covers the cost of travel from the scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award. The CSC does not reimburse fares for dependents or journeys made before the award confirmation.
- Approved tuition fees: Full tuition fees are covered through an agreement between the CSC and the UK university, with scholars not liable for any portion of the fee.
- Stipend (living allowance): Provided at a rate of £1,347 per month, or £1,652 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (current rates).
- Warm clothing allowance, if applicable.
- Study travel grant: Contributes to the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
- Child allowance: If a scholar is widowed, divorced, or a single parent, they receive £576.61 per month for the first child and £143 per month for the second and third children under 16, provided the children live with them at the same UK address.
For Ph.D. Applicants:
- Approved airfare: Covers travel from the scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award. The CSC does not reimburse fares for dependents or journeys made before the award confirmation.
- Approved tuition fees: Full fees are covered under an agreement between the CSC and the UK university, with scholars exempt from any tuition fee payments.
- Stipend (living allowance): Provided at £1,347 per month, or £1,652 per month for those studying in the London metropolitan area (current rates).
- Warm clothing allowance, if applicable.
- Study travel grant: Supports study-related travel costs within the UK or overseas.
- Provision for fieldwork: Covers the cost of one economy class return airfare to the fieldwork location, if approved.
- Mid-term visit: Includes airfare to the scholar’s home country, unless the scholar has claimed or intends to claim spouse and/or child allowances during their scholarship, or has received a return airfare for fieldwork.
- Family allowances:
- If accompanied by a spouse with no children: £290 per month for up to nine months, provided they live together in the UK (unless the spouse also holds a scholarship; other conditions apply).
- If accompanied by a spouse and children: £290 per month for the spouse and £290 per month for the first child, and £143 per month for each subsequent child under 16, if they reside together in the UK (unless the spouse also holds a scholarship; other conditions apply).
- If accompanied by children but no spouse: £576.61 per month for the first child, and £143 per month for each subsequent child under 16, if they live together in the UK.
- Support for scholars with disabilities: Offers a comprehensive assessment of needs and eligibility for additional financial assistance by the CSC.
- Purpose of family allowances: Intended as a contribution towards supporting a scholar’s family in the UK. Actual costs are likely higher, and scholars are expected to supplement these allowances as needed.
How to Apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship
Step 1: Applications to the CSC must be submitted through the CSC’s online application system.
Step 2: In the application form, applicants are required to:
- Detail all undergraduate and postgraduate university qualifications obtained.
- List up to 10 publications and prizes.
- Provide a comprehensive employment history and explain how the acquired experience supports and aligns with the intended program in the UK.
- List the names and positions of three referees capable of assessing their potential to benefit from the scholarship and contribute to development impact. One referee must be a current employer (if applicable), and at least two references must be included with the application.
- Include a Development Impact statement structured in four parts:
- Explain how the proposed scholarship addresses global, national, and local development issues.
- Discuss the relevance of the scholarship to CSC’s development theme and the broader sector.
- Outline plans for applying new skills post-scholarship.
- Describe anticipated development changes, including outcomes, implementation timeframe, and beneficiaries, as well as methods to measure and evidence the impact of their work.
Applicants are also required to:
- Specify their award objectives and outline how the Scholarship program will help achieve each of them.
- Outline their career plans for the five years following the Scholarship.
- Describe their long-term career aspirations.
- Present a detailed study plan.
- Provide a personal statement summarizing how their background has motivated them to make a positive impact in their home country. Applicants may highlight any significant contributions they have made, including overcoming personal or community barriers to higher education or within their field.
- Summarize their involvement in voluntary activities and their experiences demonstrating leadership.
Step 3: Supporting Documents:
- Proof of citizenship or refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country: a copy of a valid passport (or national ID card) displaying a photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship.
- Complete transcripts documenting all higher education qualifications, including current course transcripts with certified translations if not in English. Incomplete or partial transcripts may render the application ineligible.
- References from at least two individuals, submitted in PDF format, signed, and on institutional letterhead or through an email displaying the sender’s details clearly.
For further information on Commonwealth Scholarships, please visit the official website
For additional scholarships in UK, please visit the link below.
