Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship 2027/28

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are offered under six CSC development themes:

1. Science and technology for development
2. Strengthening health systems and capacity
3. Promoting global prosperity
4. Strengthening global peace, security and governance
5. Strengthening resilience and response to crises
6. Access, inclusion and opportunity

Applicants should identify the connection between their proposed Master's programme and a relevant development challenge.

The themes cover a wide range of academic areas. Depending on the proposed course and development connection, applicants may come from fields such as agriculture, food systems, environmental science, climate change, public health, medicine, engineering, technology, education, economics, governance and development studies.

The CSC also asks applicants to connect their proposed study and expected impact to one or more of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Type of Master's Programme

The scholarship supports full-time taught Master's programmes at eligible UK universities.

It does not fund:

• Undergraduate degrees
• MBA programmes
• Research Master's programmes

Applicants should therefore verify that their proposed course is a taught Master's programme and meets the CSC's funding requirements before including it in their application. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

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

2. Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.

3. Be available to begin academic study in the UK in September 2027.

4. By September 2027, normally hold a first degree of at least upper-second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower-second-class degree together with a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master's degree.

5. Demonstrate that they could not afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.

6. Propose an eligible full-time taught Master's programme at a UK university.

7. Ensure that the proposed programme is not an MBA or research Master's programme.

8. Demonstrate how the proposed course relates to one or more CSC development themes.

9. Explain how the knowledge and skills gained through the programme could contribute to development in the applicant's home country.

10. Provide the academic and supporting documentation required by the CSC.

11. Submit the scholarship application through CSC Central.

12. Apply through an eligible nominating agency where required.

13. Meet any additional requirements imposed by the relevant nominating agency.

14. Check the nominating agency's deadline, which may be earlier than the CSC deadline.

15. Be prepared to begin the approved programme in the UK in September/October 2027.

The CSC also advises applicants to seek admission to their proposed UK university at the time of, or as soon as possible after, submitting the scholarship application. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Scholarship Benefits

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship provides financial support for approved full-time taught Master's study in the UK.

The award provides support under the CSC's scholarship conditions, including the costs associated with the approved study programme.

The scholarship also provides an opportunity to:

• Undertake postgraduate study at an eligible UK university.
• Gain an internationally recognised UK Master's qualification.
• Develop advanced knowledge and professional skills in the chosen field.
• Access the academic resources and facilities of the host university.
• Study alongside students from different Commonwealth countries and other international backgrounds.
• Develop international academic and professional networks.
• Gain experience within the UK higher-education environment.
• Build knowledge and skills that can be applied to development challenges in the home country.
• Become part of the wider Commonwealth Scholarship alumni community.

The exact financial provisions are governed by the CSC's scholarship conditions and should be checked in the official award information rather than assumed to be identical to other Commonwealth programmes.

Choosing UK Universities

Applicants can list up to three UK universities in their CSC application.

The institutions must be entered in the applicant's preferred order, with the first institution representing the applicant's first preference. The CSC states that this order cannot subsequently be changed and that selections are made with reference to the institutions indicated in the application. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Applicants should therefore research their preferred universities and courses carefully before submitting the application.

The scholarship application does not replace the university's normal admissions process. Candidates should apply for admission to their proposed Master's course separately and as early as possible.

Application Information

The CSC application requires applicants to provide information about their academic and professional background and their proposed study.

Applicants are asked to:

• List their undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.
• Provide information about up to 10 publications and prizes, where applicable.
• Provide their employment history.
• Explain how their previous employment experience is relevant to the proposed Master's programme.
• Provide information about their proposed course of study.
• Explain the expected development impact of the study.
• Provide the required references and supporting documentation. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Applicants should prepare these details before opening the final application because the CSC recommends preparing answers separately before entering them into the online system.

Research and Development Impact

Although the scholarship is for a taught Master's degree rather than a research Master's, applicants still need to explain the development relevance of their proposed study.

A strong application should establish:

• The development problem the applicant wants to address.
• Why the problem matters in their home country or region.
• Why the chosen Master's programme provides relevant knowledge or skills.
• How the applicant intends to apply those skills after completing the programme.
• Who could benefit from the knowledge or expertise gained.

Applicants should avoid presenting the scholarship simply as an opportunity to study abroad. The application should show a clear connection between the proposed course, the applicant's professional direction and a development need.

Application Process

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship involves both the CSC application and the relevant nomination process.

1. Identify an Eligible Master's Course

Find a full-time taught Master's programme at a UK university that fits the CSC requirements and connects clearly with a development theme.

2. Select Up to Three Universities

Applicants may list up to three preferred UK institutions in the CSC application and must place them in order of preference.

3. Research University Admission Requirements

Scholarship selection and university admission are separate processes. Applicants should therefore check the admission requirements and application deadlines of each proposed university.

4. Identify the Nominating Agency

Candidates must follow the nomination arrangements applicable to their country or route. Nominating agencies can establish their own requirements and deadlines.

5. Complete the CSC Application

The scholarship application must be submitted through CSC Central. The CSC does not accept applications or supporting documentation sent by email or post. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

6. Submit Supporting Documents

Required references and other supporting documentation must be uploaded through the CSC application system by the application deadline.

Nominating Agencies

The CSC makes selections from the pool of nominations rather than treating submission of an application as an automatic route to selection.

Applicants using a nominating agency should therefore check both:

• The CSC eligibility requirements and deadline
• The nominating agency's own requirements and deadline

The agency deadline may be earlier than the CSC deadline, and an applicant must satisfy both sets of requirements. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Important Information for Nigerian Applicants

Nigeria is an eligible country for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship.

However, Nigerian applicants should not assume that meeting the general CSC requirements is sufficient. They must also follow the applicable nomination process and satisfy any additional requirements set by the relevant nominating agency.

Applicants should therefore identify the appropriate nomination route early and check its closing date before preparing their final CSC submission.

Application Deadline

The official CSC deadline for the 2027/28 Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is:

20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST

The scholarship is intended for study beginning in the UK in September/October 2027. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

How to Apply

Applicants should:

1. Check their eligibility.
2. Identify an eligible full-time taught Master's programme.
3. Research up to three suitable UK universities.
4. Check the admission requirements of the proposed universities.
5. Identify the appropriate nominating agency.
6. Check the nominating agency's separate deadline and requirements.
7. Prepare academic, employment and supporting information.
8. Complete the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship application through CSC Central.
9. Upload all required documentation and references before the deadline.
10. Apply separately for admission to the selected UK university or universities.