Commonwealth Scholarships

Overview

Commonwealth Scholarships are the UK government's awards for students from Commonwealth countries, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. The family covers several schemes: one-year taught master's awards, PhD awards for least developed countries and vulnerable states, shared scholarships funded with universities, and fellowships for mid-career professionals. All of them are built on development impact, and scholars are expected to return home and apply what they learned. The master's route is nominated rather than applied for directly, and it targets people who could not otherwise afford UK study.

Who it's for

For the master's scheme you must be a citizen of, or have refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country, live there permanently, and hold a first degree at the required level, normally an upper second-class honours or a lower second with a relevant postgraduate qualification. You must be unable to fund UK study yourself and free to start in September. There is no age limit. People who already hold a UK master's or a Commonwealth master's award are excluded.

What you get

A master's award covers full tuition at a UK university that holds a funding agreement with the Commission, a return airfare, a monthly stipend with a higher rate in London, and a study travel grant. Family allowances exist for eligible single parents. The non-financial side matters too: a cohort of scholars from many countries, regional networks, and alumni activity after you return. Read the current handbook for exact terms and any conditions attached.

How to apply

Two things happen at once: you apply to the Commission through its online system, and you apply to a nominator, usually a national nominating agency and sometimes an approved NGO. The Commission does not accept direct applications, and a nomination is not a selection. The form asks for transcripts, a passport or ID, at least two references, three course choices with reasons, and a development impact statement in four parts. You must also apply to your chosen universities yourself, because a scholarship does not secure admission.

Timing

Annual. One application window runs each year for study starting the following September, and nominators often close earlier than the Commission. Review, nomination and selection follow over several months. Dates differ by scheme and by country, so confirm the current round on the Commission's site.

How to stand out

The development impact statement is where most applications are won or lost. Answer all four parts separately and make the third concrete: what changes, for whom, by when, and how you would measure it. Choose three courses you would genuinely accept, in a defensible order, and check that each university holds the Commission's agreement. Tell your nominator early, because their deadline governs yours. Referees should write about capability and development potential, not attendance.

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