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Commonwealth Scholarship 2026/2027 | Fully Funded

Peace Maduka2 days agoLast Updated: July 23, 2025

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Commonwealth Scholarship 2026/2027 | Fully Funded - ScholarWaka

The Commonwealth Scholarship 2026/2027 opens this September for Master’s and PhD applicants from eligible low and middle-income Commonwealth countries.

The Commonwealth Scholarship 2026/2027 is a fully funded UK government scholarship program for talented individuals from eligible Commonwealth countries. It supports full-time Master’s and PhD studies at UK universities. Funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), this scholarship aims to help students who cannot afford to study in the UK and want to contribute to sustainable development in their home countries.

Commonwealth Scholarship 2026/2027 Summary

Host Country: United Kingdom
Study Abroad: Study in UK
Category: Masters Scholarships | PhD Scholarships
Eligibility: Citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries (see below in eligible countries)
Reward: full tuition, stipend, living allowance, travel fee, etc
Deadline: Not specified yet. Applications open 2 September 2025

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Commonwealth Scholarship 2026/2027 Details

The Commonwealth Scholarships are part of a long-standing UK government initiative to support international development through education. Administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), these awards offer opportunities to study at some of the UK’s top universities and return home equipped to drive positive change.

The scholarships are available under six key development themes:

Science and technology for development
Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship
Strengthening resilience and response to crises
Strengthening health systems and capacity
Strengthening global peace, security, and governance
Access, inclusion, and opportunity

The Master’s Scholarship is for candidates from eligible countries pursuing a taught Master’s degree, while the PhD Scholarship is for those from the least developed and vulnerable Commonwealth states looking to undertake full-time doctoral research.

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Eligibility Requirements for the Commonwealth Scholarship 2026/2027

General Eligibility for All Applicants

Applicants must:

Be a citizen of or have refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country.
Be permanently resident in that country.
Be unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
Be available to begin study in the UK by September 2026.
Submit all required documents by the application deadline.

For Master’s Applicants

Hold a first degree with at least upper second-class honours (2:1), or a second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification.
Not apply for a second Master’s unless fully justified.

For PhD Applicants

Hold a Master’s degree or equivalent and not already be registered for a PhD in the UK or their home country.
Have a research proposal with developmental impact.

Note: Applicants with disabilities who do not meet the standard academic criteria may still be considered under a special contextual nomination process.

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Eligible Countries

You must be a citizen of one of the following eligible Commonwealth countries:

Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, The Gambia, Rwanda, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Belize, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Maldives, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, etc

Check the master’s and phd section for the full list of eligible countries

Commonwealth Scholarship 2026/2027 Benefits

If selected for the Commonwealth Scholarship 2026/2027, you will receive fully funded financial support, including:

Tuition fees fully covered by your UK university.
Round-trip airfare to and from your home country.
Monthly stipend:
- £1,452/month (outside London)
- £1,781/month (within London)
Study travel grant for research-related travel within or outside the UK.
Warm clothing allowance (if needed).
Child allowance (for single/widowed/divorced parents):
- £622/month for the first child
- £154/month for each of the next two children under 16
Disability support: Additional funding based on individual needs.

These benefits make it one of the most generous scholarships available globally.

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Required Documents for the Commonwealth Scholarship 2026/2027

You must upload the following documents in PDF format via the CSC application portal before the deadline:

Passport or national ID showing your citizenship.
Academic transcripts of all higher education qualifications.
References from two individuals (on official letterhead or with identifiable email addresses).
Supporting statement from a proposed supervisor in the UK (for PhD applicants).
Research proposal or study plan matching the development goals.

Note: If any required document is missing or uploaded incorrectly, your application will be rejected.

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How to Apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship 2026/2027 (Step-by-Step)

Here’s how to apply successfully for the Commonwealth Scholarship 2026/2027:

Step 1: Choose Your Degree Path

Master’s applicants: Look up eligible courses at UK universities.
PhD applicants: Develop a research proposal and identify potential supervisors.

Step 2: Apply via a Nominating Agency

You must be nominated by either:

Your national nominating agency (this is the main route), or
Selected non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and charitable bodies

Step 3: Apply on CSC Central Portal

Once nominations open on 2 September 2025:

Go to the official CSC online portal (CSC Central).
Register an account and complete the online application form.
Upload all required documents in the correct format.
Submit your application before your nominator’s deadline (varies, usually by December 2025).

The CSC will not accept any documents or applications submitted outside the portal.

Step 4: Await Outcome

Nominations close: December 2025
Application results: By July 2026
Start of studies: September/October 2026

Always check your email inbox (and spam folder) for updates. Failure to respond may lead to withdrawal of the scholarship offer.

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Deadline

The deadline will be announced. The Application opens: 2 September 2025. Start preparing and gathering your things for early application

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