Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships

Applications for 2022 Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships (for least developed and fragile states) are currently open. The CSC does not accept direct applications for these Scholarships; applicants must apply by the 1 November 2021 via one of the national nominating agencies, selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies. Full details are available on the CSC website.

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are for candidates from low and middle income Commonwealth countries, for full-time Master’s study at a UK university.

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

These scholarships are offered under six themes:

Science and technology for development

1. Strengthening health systems and capacity

2. Promoting global prosperity

3. Strengthening global peace, security and governance

4. Strengthening resilience and response to crises

5. Access, inclusion and opportunity

To apply for these scholarships, you 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 available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2021
• Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second-class degree (2:2) and a relevant postgraduate qualification (a Master’s degree). The CSC would not normally fund a second UK Master’s degree. If you are applying for a second UK
• Master’s degree, you will need to provide justification as to why you wish to undertake this study
• NOT be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university or in your home country before September/October 2021
• Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format
• Not be able to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship 

Please note the CSC funds one-year taught Master’s programmes only and does not fund MBAs and eligible courses but be full-time study only.

More information can be found below:

How to apply

You must apply to one of the following nominating bodies in the first instance – the CSC does not accept direct applications for these scholarships:

• All applications must be made through one of these nominating bodies. Each nominating body is responsible for its own selection process and may have additional eligibility criteria. You must check with your nominating body for their specific advice and rules for applying, their own eligibility criteria, and their own closing date for applications.

You must make your application using the CSC’s online application system, in addition to any other application that you are required to complete by your nominating body. The CSC will not accept any applications that are not submitted via the online application system.

You are advised to complete and submit your application as soon as possible, as the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline.

Your application must include the following supporting documentation in order for your application to be eligible for consideration:

• Proof of citizenship or refugee status – uploaded to the online application system
• Full transcripts detailing all your higher education qualifications (with certified translations if not in English) – uploaded to the online application system
• References from at least two individuals – submitted directly by the referees to the online application system (referees will be sent an email request)

The CSC will not accept supporting documentation submitted by nominating agencies or outside the online application system.

Nominating agency

NGO and charitable bodies

Applying