- The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers around 800 fully funded awards each year and welcomed 654 new Scholars and Fellows in 2023-24
- Master's and PhD Scholars receive a monthly stipend of 1,452 pounds (1,781 pounds in London) plus full tuition and return airfare
- For the 2026/27 cycle, Indian candidates are nominated through the Ministry of Education by December 2025, with outcomes expected by July 2026.
What Is the Commonwealth Scholarship?
The Commonwealth Scholarship is a fully funded award offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK for postgraduate study. Established in 1959, the plan has supported more than 34,000 Scholars since 1960. It helps talented students from eligible Commonwealth countries, including India, pursue Master's and PhD degrees at UK universities.
The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan was launched by Commonwealth education ministers in 1958 and established in 1959 at the first Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers in Oxford. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK administers the UK's contribution, and more than 34,000 Scholars have studied in the UK since the first group arrived in 1960.
- The plan is funded by the UK government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner departments, working with UK universities.
- It supports talented students from eligible Commonwealth countries who can make a strong contribution to development in their home country.
- Awards are made for postgraduate study, mainly Master's and PhD degrees, as well as professional fellowships.
- The Commission also funds Distance Learning Master's Scholarships so candidates can study UK degrees from home.
How Does the Commonwealth Scholarship Work?
Each Commonwealth Scholarship is fully funded, covering tuition fees, return airfare to the UK, and a monthly living stipend of 1,452 pounds (1,781 pounds in London). Awards are made through national nominating agencies rather than direct application. The Commission offers around 800 awards each year for postgraduate study and professional development across the Commonwealth.
Every award is fully funded, so alongside your tuition fees you receive return airfare to and from the UK and a living stipend while you study. Master's courses are usually completed in one year at a UK university, and the Commission gives priority to applicants whose study is most relevant to development.
Which Types of Commonwealth Scholarships Are Available?
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers several award types: Master's Scholarships, Shared Master's Scholarships, Distance Learning Master's Scholarships, PhD Scholarships for least developed countries, plus Commonwealth Fellowships and the Startup Fellowship. Split-site PhD Scholarships are currently under review and will not run in 2026. Each type targets different countries and study levels.
- Commonwealth Master's Scholarships
- Commonwealth Shared Master's Scholarships
- Commonwealth Distance Learning Master's Scholarships
- Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for least developed countries and vulnerable states)
- Commonwealth Fellowships and the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship
- Split-site PhD Scholarships (currently under review and not running in 2026)
Who Can Apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship?
Applicants must be citizens of, or refugees from, an eligible Commonwealth country and permanently resident there. You need a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours, or a lower second with a relevant postgraduate qualification. PhD applicants also need a Master's. You must be unable to afford UK study without funding.
- Be a citizen of, or refugee from, an eligible Commonwealth country, or permanently resident there.
- Hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours, or a lower second-class degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification.
- Hold, or expect to complete, a Master's degree if applying for a PhD.
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
- Be available to start your studies in the UK in September or October 2026.
What Does the Commonwealth Scholarship Cover?
The scholarship covers full tuition fees, approved return airfare from your home country to the UK, and a monthly stipend of 1,452 pounds (1,781 pounds in London). It also provides a warm clothing allowance, study travel grants, and a child allowance of 622 pounds per month for the first child where applicable.
- Full university tuition fees.
- Approved return airfare from your home country to the UK.
- A monthly living stipend of 1,452 pounds, or 1,781 pounds for those studying in the London area.
- A warm clothing allowance and study-related travel grants.
- A child allowance of 622 pounds per month for the first child, where applicable.
- Fieldwork and thesis support for PhD Scholars, plus a mid-term home visit.
How to Apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship?
You cannot apply directly to the Commission. Applications go through a national nominating agency; in India this is the Ministry of Education, which shortlists candidates via its SAKSHAT portal. You must also submit an application on the CSC's online system, CSC Central. Required documents include transcripts, passport, references, and proof of English proficiency.
You apply through your country's national nominating agency, not directly to the Commission. In India, the Ministry of Education shortlists candidates through its SAKSHAT portal, and selected applicants must also complete an application on the CSC's online system, CSC Central.
- Proof of citizenship or refugee status in a Commonwealth country
- A scanned copy of your passport
- Official academic transcripts
- University degree certificates
- At least two references
- Proof of English language proficiency, where required
When Are the Commonwealth Scholarship 2026 Deadlines?
For the 2026/27 cycle, awards begin in September or October 2026. National nominating agencies, including India's Ministry of Education, submit nominations to the Commission by December 2025. The CSC then reviews nominations, and successful candidates are typically notified by July 2026. Applications for the 2026/27 intake are now closed.
| Stage (2026/27 Cycle) | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Nomination deadline (national agencies) | December 2025 |
| CSC selection and review | Early 2026 |
| Results announced to candidates | By July 2026 |
| Scholarship begins | September / October 2026 |
Which UK Universities Accept Commonwealth Scholarships?
Commonwealth Scholarships can be held at UK universities that partner with the Commission. Well-known examples include the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, King's College London, the London School of Economics, Durham, Warwick, Cardiff, and Newcastle. Scholars choose a course relevant to their development goals, though MBA programmes are not funded.
- University of Oxford
- Imperial College London
- King's College London
- London School of Economics and Political Science
- University of Warwick
- Durham University
- Cardiff University
- Newcastle University
- University of York
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
- Heriot-Watt University
- Cranfield University