Many international students have a dream to study in the United Kingdom. But the cost of tuition and the cost of living tend to come in the way. Commonwealth Scholarship 2026-27 in the UK is a golden opportunity to help talented students of the Commonwealth countries to pursue Master and PhD programs in leading institutions in the UK without incurring any financial cost. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) awards this prestigious fully-funded UK scholarship with the assistance of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The purpose of this international scholarship program is to foster future leaders, innovators and researchers who will benefit their home countries once they graduate. The Commonwealth Scholarship is among the most competitive and sought after funding opportunities in the world with benefits such as full tuition, monthly stipends, free airfare, family allowance, and research allowance.
Why Apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship 2026-27?
UK boasts of the best universities in the world, which are known all over the world due to their academic excellence, advanced research and cultural diversity. Being a Commonwealth Scholarship winner is not only a ticket to financial independence but also to quality education, international contacts and a future career.
The Commonwealth program is also more accessible to international students who meet other eligibility requirements than many other scholarships due to the absence of an age limit and the absence of an IELTS requirement.
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Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships in the UK
The Master program under the Commonwealth Scholarship is offered to students who will otherwise be unable to afford studying abroad. It is provided in six broad themes:
- Technology and Science to develop.
- Empowering Health Systems and Capacity.
- Supporting World Welfare and Development.
- Empowering Global Peace, Security and Governance.
- Enhancing Response and Resilience to Crises.
- Education Access, Inclusion and Opportunity.
Benefits The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship 2026-27.
- Free tuition fee – fully sponsored by CSC and the host UK university.
- Airfare paid – round trip flight to the UK in your home country.
- Monthly living allowance- £1,452 a month or £1,781 a month in case of students studying in London.
- Warm clothing allowance – winter expenses (as needed).
- Study-related travel grant – academic travel either within or outside the UK.
- Child allowance – to widowed, divorced or single parent scholars.
- Extra help with disabled students – more financial aid can be offered.
Eligibility Criteria for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
- Should be a citizen, refugee or British Protected Person of an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Should be permanently based in an eligible country.
- Should have an upper second-class bachelor degree. All applicants who hold less than second-class degrees are required to have a relevant Master qualification.
- Applicants cannot afford to study in the UK unless they have financial assistance.
- After finishing the degree, they have to go back to their country.
- Students who have previous Master studies in the UK are not eligible.
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships in the UK
Commonwealth PhD Scholarship is given to highly motivated researchers who desire to pursue high level doctoral studies in UK. This is the best chance that students who want to make a real change in the scientific, social and economic growth of their home countries will have.
Commonwealth PhD Scholarship 2026-27 benefits
- Cover of full tuition fee by CSC and the UK host university.
- Airfare – round trip flight between home country and UK.
- Monthly stipend -£1,452 (outside London) or 1,781 (London universities).
- Warm clothing allowance where necessary.
- Research and fieldwork support – one round trip flight to conduct fieldwork abroad.
- Mid-term visit allowance – airfare to home country when family allowance is not used.
- Family allowance – spouse and child allowance based on CSC policy.
- Additional funding to the disabled students.
Eligibility Criteria for Commonwealth PhD Scholarship
- Should be a citizen, refugee or British Protected Person of a qualifying Commonwealth country.
- Should be permanently residing in a qualified Commonwealth country.
- Should have at least an upper second-class undergraduate degree and a relevant Master qualification.
- Should not enroll in a UK or home country PhD or MPhil leading to PhD before September/October 2026.
- Should have financial requirement and be unable to study in the UK without funding.
- Is required to go back home after finishing the PhD.
List of Eligible Commonwealth Countries
Only students of the particular low and middle-income countries can get the Commonwealth Scholarship. The following are some of the eligible countries:
- In Master: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Malaysia, Jamaica, Fiji, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia and so on.
- For PhD: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia and a few others.
(It is recommended that applicants refer to the official CSC site to obtain the updated list of eligible countries on each program)
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How to Apply for Commonwealth Scholarship 2026-27?
- Go to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) web site.
- Choose the program of your choice (Master, PhD).
- Check the specific eligibility requirements of your country.
- Get all the necessary papers:
- Academic transcripts
- References (recommendation letters).
- PhD application (proposal research)
- Evidence of nationality or refugee status.
- Fill the online application form on time.
- Application via the online application system of the CSC and, where necessary, via the national nominating agency or partner university/organization in your country.
Why Choose the Commonwealth Scholarship?
- Fully funded program – Students do not have to pay.
- International status- Study in the best universities in the UK with international faculty.
- Career development – Develop your skills, expand globally, and get access to the international opportunities.
- Social impact- after graduating, the scholars are supposed to be useful to their home countries.
- Equal opportunity -No age restriction, and can be used by students with disabilities.
Final Thoughts
The Commonwealth Scholarship 2026-27 is considered one of the most prestigious fully funded international student scholarships in the UK. It enables the brilliant people of the Commonwealth countries to study Master and PhD courses in the best universities in the UK without the financial burden. It is a life-changing scholarship with a broad range of benefits such as tuition, airfare, living allowance, research support and family assistance.
When you are passionate about serving your community and achieving a successful career, you cannot afford to miss this opportunity to apply to the Commonwealth Scholarship 2026-27. Begin work on your documents as soon as possible and keep in mind that you must comply with all the requirements to become eligible.
