Good news! The Commonwealth Scholarship 2025-2026 is now open and is offering fully-funded masters and Ph.D. scholarships for international students aiming to study in the UK.
All you need to know about the scholarship, its benefits, and its step-by-step application process are about to be shared so you can successfully apply.
About Commonwealth Scholarship 2025-2026:
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) is responsible for managing the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives.
It does so within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and presents a clear showcase of the UK’s long-standing commitment to the Commonwealth.
Attracting individuals with exceptional talent and identifiable potential from all walks of life and supporting them, over time, to become leaders and innovators in their home countries, CSC has combined its work in the area of sustainable development with UK national interest, and provided the means for international partnerships and collaboration.
The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships will also be offered to applicants from least developed countries and fragile states, as classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), in the Commonwealth for full-time doctoral study at a UK university.
The UK Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) runs the UK government scholarship programme based on international development priorities. It is managed by the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and is a great example of enduring relationships between the UK and the Commonwealth.
Attracting individuals with exceptional talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds, the CSC works in support of them to become leaders and innovators upon return to their countries.
The CSC work combines sustainable development with the UK national interest and provides opportunities for international partnerships and collaboration.
The Commonwealth Scholarship will allow overseas students to be financially assisted with:
Commonwealth Scholarships Eligible Courses 2025
| Liverpool Hope University | MA Disability Studies |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | MSc Gender, Development and Globalisation |
| Queen’s University Belfast | MSc City Planning and Design |
| SOAS, University of London | MSc Global Development |
| University College London | MA Education, Gender and International Development |
| University College London | MSc Social Development Practice |
| University of Cambridge | MPhil Education (Globalisation and International Development) |
| University of Chester | MA Education, Society and Globalisation |
| University of Edinburgh | MSc Comparative Education and International Development |
| University of Edinburgh | MSc Sport Policy, Management and International Development |
| University of Glasgow | MSc Education for Sustainable Futures in Adult, Community & Youth Contexts |
| University of Glasgow | MSc Reparatory Justice |
| University of Kent | MA English and American Literature |
| University of Nottingham | MA Education |
| University of Stirling | MSc Education |
| University of Strathclyde | MSc Applied Economics |
| University of Sussex | MA Gender and Development |
| University of Sussex | MA Poverty and Development |
| University of Sussex | MA Power, Participation and Social Change |
| University of Warwick | MA Applied Theatre: Arts, Action, Change |
| University of Warwick | MSc Economics |
Benefits of Commonwealth Master’s and Ph.D. Scholarships
The UK offers the fully funded Commonwealth Scholarships 2025-2026 to eligible international students for Master’s and Ph.D. programs. Below is how both master’s and Ph.D. applicants will be entitled to several benefits and allowances.
Benefits to Master’s Applicants
Airfare: Approved economy-class airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return airfare at the end of the award. The scholarship does not cover dependent fares or pre-award journeys.
Tuition Fees: Full tuition fees are covered by an agreement between the CSC and UK universities.
Living Stipend: Monthly stipend of £1,347; for London-based universities, the stipend is £1,652.
Warm Clothing Allowance: Admitted if required.
Study Travel Grant: Covers costs for study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
Child Allowance: A monthly allowance of £576.61 is made for single parents or Scholars who are widowed/divorced with children under the age of 16 who reside with them at the same UK address. There is an additional allowance of £143 per month for a second and third child.
Benefits for Ph.D. Applicants
Airfare: The approved economy class airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return airfare at the end of the award; excluded are dependants or pre-award journeys.
Tuition Fees: Full tuition fees are covered under a CSC and UK university agreement.
Living Stipend: Monthly allowance of £1,347, or £1,652 for Scholars studying in London.
Warm Clothing Allowance: If applicable.
Study Travel Grant: For study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
Fieldwork Grant: Covers one return airfare for approved overseas fieldwork.
Mid-Term Home Country Visit: One paid return airfare, unless receiving spouse/child allowances or airfare for fieldwork.
Family Allowances:
For Accompanied Spouse Only: Spouse allowance of £290 per month (up to nine months) if the spouse lives with the Scholar in the UK (with certain conditions).
For Spouse and Children Accompanying: £290 a month for the spouse allowance with an additional £290 for the first child, and second and third children under 16 £143.
For Accompanied Children Only: £576.61 per month for the first child and £143 per month for the second and third child under 16, if living with the Scholar in the UK.
Disability Support: The CSC will provide a comprehensive needs assessment and, where feasible, financial support to Scholars with disabilities.
Important Notes
- Family Support Supplement: The CSC’s family allowances only partly meet the cost of supporting a Scholar’s family in the UK. Scholars should have additional means to cover any family expenses.
- Eligibility and Conditions: Conditions apply for many of the allowances, especially if one has family coming with them in the UK.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) funds Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships for driven individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, particularly for those who would not otherwise be able to afford to study in the UK themselves.
The Commonwealth Ph.D. Scholarships aim to support research that meets developmental needs in Commonwealth countries, enhance teaching and research capacity, and contribute to institutional growth in relevant sectors.
Such scholarships also strengthen UK higher education by attracting top international talent and fostering collaboration.
Other grants and allowances for essential expenses
The scholarship is managed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) and falls under the UK government’s international development objectives in accordance with the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP).
This echoes the UK’s commitment to the Commonwealth, as it provides advanced training for people from diverse backgrounds, enabling them to acquire skills and become leaders upon their return home.
The CSC combines its aim of sustainable development with that of the UK national interest through fostering opportunities for international cooperation.
How to Apply for Commonwealth Scholarship 2025-2026
Check Eligibility: Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements for the scholarship as advertised on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s portal.
Choose Your Course and University: Choose a suitable course and participating UK university.
Required Documents: Get ready all the required documents, such as transcripts, references, and a personal statement.
Submit Online Application: Apply online through CSC’s application platform before the deadline.
Follow Up: Keep track of deadlines and notifications by the CSC or your selected university after the submission of your application. The Commonwealth Scholarship enables scholars to pursue free, fully funded education in the UK. This will empower them to make massive contributions to their home countries and thereby strengthen global partnerships. For further details, visit the official website of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
