Applications now open for the Commonwealth Master’s scholarships for academic year 2025/26
Applications for Commonwealth Master’s scholarships program for the academic year 2025/26 are currently open. The agency-nominated Master’s program is one of three programs provided by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom (CSC) administers the UK government scholarship initiative, which is aligned with international development goals. This initiative operates under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and exemplifies the UK’s long-standing dedication to the Commonwealth.
Eligibility Criteria for Applicants – Commonwealth Master’s scholarships for academic year 2025/26
To qualify for these scholarships, applicants must:
– Be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be classified as a British Protected Person.
– Reside permanently in an eligible Commonwealth country.
– Be prepared to commence academic studies in the UK at the beginning of the academic year in September 2025.
– By September 2025, possess a first degree with at least upper second-class (2:1) honors, or a lower second-class degree accompanied by a relevant postgraduate qualification (typically a Master’s degree)*. The CSC generally does not fund a second Master’s degree; if applying for one, applicants must justify their reasons for pursuing this additional study.
– Demonstrate financial need, indicating that they cannot afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
– Submit all required supporting documentation in the specified format.
Financial Support – Commonwealth Master’s scholarships for academic year 2025/26
Each scholarship includes:
– Approved airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and a return trip at the conclusion of the award (the CSC will not cover the costs of fares for dependents or journeys made prior to the confirmation of the award).
– Full coverage of tuition fees, as agreed upon between the CSC and the UK university, ensuring that Scholars are not responsible for any portion of the tuition fee.
– A stipend (living allowance) of £1,378 per month, or £1,690 per month for those attending universities within the London metropolitan area (rates are quoted at current levels).
Applicants are required to upload the following documents along with their application:
Verification of citizenship or refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country: a copy of a valid passport or national ID card that includes a photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship.
Comprehensive transcripts that outline all higher education qualifications, including current transcripts for any ongoing courses, accompanied by certified translations if they are not in English. Applications will be deemed ineligible if any transcripts are missing or incomplete.
References from a minimum of two individuals, submitted in PDF format, signed, and presented on institutional letterhead or via an email that clearly displays the sender’s details.
Filling out the application form
In the application form, applicants are required to:
Enumerate all undergraduate and postgraduate university qualifications attained.
List up to 10 publications and awards.
Detail their employment history and articulate how the experiences gained are pertinent to the program they intend to pursue in the UK.
Provide the names and positions of three referees who can adequately assess their potential to benefit from the proposed Scholarship in the UK and their capacity to effect development impact thereafter. One referee must be a current employer (if applicable), and at least two references should accompany the application.
Submit a Development Impact statement divided into four sections.
Application Process:
Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit their applications as early as possible, as the online application system is expected to experience high traffic in the days leading up to the application deadline.
In addition to applying to the CSC, applicants must also seek a nominator.
There are two categories of nominators invited to participate in the Master’s scholarship program:
National nominating agencies – this is the primary application route.
Selected non-governmental organizations and charitable entities.
Application – Commonwealth Master’s scholarships for academic year 2025/26
- For details visit the Official Webpage of the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship.
- Deadline is October 15, 2024
