2025/2026 Fully Funded Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship for Students from Developing Countries

The 2025/2026 Fully Funded Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is a special program offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK. It is designed to help students from developing Commonwealth countries pursue their Master’s degrees in the UK. This scholarship is funded by the UK government and aims to support students who have the potential to become leaders and contribute to the development of their home countries.

Purpose:

The scholarship is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and aims to give students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries the chance to gain important knowledge and skills. These skills are meant to help them contribute to sustainable development when they return to their home countries. It is focused on helping students who cannot afford to study in the UK on their own.

Who Can Apply:

This scholarship is available to students from eligible Commonwealth countries who want to study full-time for a Master’s degree at a UK university. It is for those who show great academic potential and want to make a positive difference in their communities or countries.

What the Scholarship Covers:

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship provides a wide range of support to help students focus on their studies. This includes:

• Airfare: The scholarship pays for the student’s flight to the UK and their return flight home after the course is completed.
• Tuition Fees: The scholarship covers all tuition fees, so the student does not need to worry about paying for their education.
• Living Allowance: The student will receive a monthly stipend to cover living costs while in the UK. This amount is £1,347 per month, or £1,652 if the student is studying in London, where the cost of living is higher.
• Warm Clothing Allowance: If needed, students will receive an extra allowance to buy warm clothes, since the UK can be much colder than many Commonwealth countries.
• Study Travel Grant: The scholarship provides a grant to cover any travel needed for study purposes, whether within the UK or abroad.
• Child Allowance: If the student is a single parent and has children living with them in the UK, they will receive an extra allowance to help support their children. This allowance is £576.61 per month for the first child and £143 per month for the second and third child.
• Disability Support: If the student has a disability, the CSC will offer extra financial support based on the student’s needs.

Requirements to Apply:

To apply for this scholarship, students must meet the following requirements:

1. Citizenship: Applicants must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country or have refugee status in a Commonwealth country.
2. Residence: Applicants must live in an eligible Commonwealth country.
3. Start Date: Applicants must be ready to start their studies in the UK in September 2024.
4. Education: Applicants must hold a first degree with at least upper second-class honors (2:1), or a lower second-class degree (2:2) along with a relevant postgraduate qualification (such as a Master’s degree).
5. Financial Need: Applicants must be unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
6. Documents: Applicants must provide all required documents in the correct format, such as proof of citizenship, transcripts, and references.

How the Selection Process Works:

The selection process for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is based on three main factors:

1. Academic Merit: How well the student has performed in their studies so far.
2. Research Proposal: The quality of the student’s study or research plan and how clear and realistic their goals are.
3. Impact on Home Country: How the student’s education in the UK will help them improve their home country. This could be in areas like health, education, or the environment.

What Applicants Need to Do:

When applying, students will need to:

• List all their qualifications, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
• Mention any publications, awards, or achievements.
• Provide details of their work experience and explain how it relates to the course they want to study in the UK.
• List three people who can provide references about their abilities and potential, including at least one current employer (if applicable).
• Write a Development Impact Statement explaining how their studies in the UK will help address important issues in their home country and how they will use their new knowledge and skills to make a positive impact.

Documents Needed:

To apply, students must submit the following:

• Proof of citizenship or refugee status in a Commonwealth country, such as a passport or national ID card.
• Transcripts for all higher education qualifications (including any ongoing studies).
• At least two references from people who know the applicant’s academic and professional abilities.

How to Apply:

Applicants need to apply through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s online application system. In addition to applying to the CSC, students must also apply through a nominating agency. This could be a government body, non-governmental organization (NGO), or a charitable organization in their home country. Each nominating agency may have its own rules, so applicants should check with the agency to make sure they meet all requirements.

Important Notes:

• There is no age limit for applying to this scholarship.
• Applicants should apply early, as the online system can get very busy close to the deadline.

For more information, applicants should visit the official website to get details on how to apply.

This scholarship is an excellent opportunity for students from Commonwealth countries to gain a world-class education in the UK and return home with the skills needed to make a positive impact in their communities.