Commonwealth Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are offered to citizens from low and middle income Commonwealth countries. The majority of Scholarships are funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), with the aim of contributing to the UK’s international development aims and wider overseas interests, supporting excellence in UK higher education, and sustaining the principles of the Commonwealth.
Scholarship - Commonwealth Master's and PhD Scholarships (UK)
Details
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- University; Any University in the UK
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Eligibility Criteria
For Master’s Applicants
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be ready to begin studies in the UK by September 2024.
- Hold by September 2024:
- A first degree with at least upper second-class (2:1) honours, or
- A lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree).*
Note: The CSC does not normally fund a second Master’s. Applicants for a second Master’s must justify why this study is necessary.
- Be unable to afford study in the UK without this scholarship.
- Submit all required supporting documents in the specified format.
For PhD Applicants
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be ready to begin studies in the UK by September 2026.
- Hold by September 2026:
- A first degree with at least upper second-class (2:1) honours, or
- A lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree).*
- Not already be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, in the UK or in their home country before September/October 2024.
- Be unable to afford study in the UK without this scholarship.
- Submit all required supporting documents in the specified format.
Benefits
The Commonwealth Scholarship covers a wide range of expenses to support scholars during their studies in the UK.
For Master’s Scholars
- Travel: Approved airfare from home country to the UK, and return at the end of the award (dependant fares are not covered).
- Tuition Fees: Fully covered through an agreement between the CSC and the UK university.
- Stipend (Living Allowance):
- £1,378 per month, or
- £1,690 per month for universities in the London metropolitan area.
- Additional Support:
- Warm clothing allowance (where applicable).
- Study travel grant for UK or overseas academic-related travel.
- Child allowance: £590/month for the first child, plus £146/month for the second and third child (under 16), if the scholar is a single parent, divorced, or widowed and children live with them in the UK.
For PhD Scholars
- Travel & Tuition:
- Approved airfare to and from the UK at the end of the award.
- Full tuition fees covered.
- Stipend (Living Allowance):
- £1,378 per month, or
- £1,690 per month for universities in the London metropolitan area.
- Additional Support:
- Warm clothing allowance (where applicable).
- Study travel grant for academic-related travel.
- Fieldwork allowance: airfare for one approved economy return trip for overseas fieldwork.
- Paid mid-term visit to the home country (unless claiming spouse/child allowances, or already received airfare for fieldwork).
- Family allowances (conditions apply):
- Spouse allowance of £290/month (up to 9 months) if living together in the UK.
- If accompanied by spouse and children: £290/month for spouse + £290/month for the first child, and £143/month for the second and third child (under 16).
- If accompanied by children only: £590/month for the first child, and £146/month for the second and third child (under 16).
- Disability support: Scholars who declare a disability will receive a full needs assessment and may be eligible for additional financial support.
Note: Family allowances are contributions only. Actual costs of supporting dependants in the UK may be significantly higher, and scholars must ensure they have additional funds if bringing family members.
Application Deadline
- The deadline for this scholarship varies as per the country. It usually falls in October of each year.
