What the funding covers
- Full tuition fees.
- Approved return airfare between your home country and the UK.
- A monthly stipend of £1,712, or £2,000 at universities in the London area (2027–28 rates).
- A study travel grant, and allowances for single, widowed or divorced parents bringing children (£622 a month for the first child).
What you will still pay
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Covered in full, by agreement between the CSC and your university |
| Return airfare between home and the UK | The scholarship |
| Living costs: £1,712 a month, or £2,000 in the London area (2027–28 rates) | The scholarship stipend |
| An English test such as IELTS | Not required by the CSC — you pay only if your chosen university asks for one |
Who can apply
- Citizens of — or refugees in — one of the 40+ eligible Commonwealth countries.
- A first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) standard, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification.
- A commitment to return home at the end of the award — switching to a Graduate or other UK visa is not permitted.
- Nomination by your country's national nominating agency or an approved NGO: the CSC does not accept direct applications.
Documents you will need
- A copy of your valid passport, or proof of refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country
- Full transcripts of all your higher education, with certified translations if not in English
- References from at least two people, as signed PDFs on institutional letterhead
- Up to three eligible UK master's courses, and statements that address the selection criteria: academic merit, the quality of your proposal and the impact on your home country's development
- Your national nominating agency's own forms, submitted by its deadline
How to apply
- Check your national nominating agency's rules and internal deadline — it may be earlier than the CSC's.
- Choose up to three eligible UK master's courses.
- Complete the CSC online application by 16:00 BST on Tuesday 20 October 2026.
- Nominated candidates are notified of the result around July 2027.
Before you apply: things to know
- Your nominating agency may close weeks before 20 October — find its date first.
- The return commitment is enforced; the award is for people who plan to work at home.
- The CSC never charges fees and never contacts candidates through social-media messages.
Common questions
Do I need IELTS?
Not for the scholarship: the CSC does not require any candidate to take an IELTS test. Your UK university may still have its own English requirement.
How are candidates scored?
On three things: your academic merit and experience, the quality of your proposal, and the potential impact of your studies on your home country's development.
What is the deadline?
The CSC's online application closes at 16:00 BST on Tuesday 20 October 2026 — but your nominating agency usually closes earlier, so find its date first.
A working timeline
Counting back from the next typical deadline (Oct 20, 2026). Steps marked NOW are already due if you start today.
Jul 28, 2026 · NOWResearch the route in depth — confirm eligibility, costs and every required document
Aug 11, 2026 · NOWAsk your referees (for a PhD, email potential supervisors with a short, specific pitch)
Aug 25, 2026 · NOWWrite the first full draft of your motivation letter or statement of purpose
Sep 8, 2026 · NOWOrder transcripts and certified translations · book any language test
Sep 22, 2026 · NOWSecond draft — get feedback from someone who reads critically
Oct 6, 2026Finalise every document and complete the online form
Oct 13, 2026Submit — never on the last day
Oct 20, 2026Typical deadline
Related routes
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Due ≈ in 81 daysDetails →
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Mastercard Foundation Scholars — Cambridge
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Government of Ireland — International Education Scholarships
Closed · next ≈ Mar 12, 2027Details →
Sources
Page reviewed Sep 25, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official source.