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Scholarship Guides Commonwealth Scholarships (UK): How to Apply

UK (Commonwealth) · Application Guide

Commonwealth Scholarships (UK): How to Apply

Commonwealth Scholarships support students from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries for postgraduate study in the UK (Master's, PhD and Split-Site programmes). You apply on the CSC's online system (CSC Central), and the application must also go through a nominating body in your country. The CSC does not accept direct applications.

Administered by: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC), funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Written by Zain Aqdas, Founder and lead researcher, Scholarships AtlasLast updated 30 October 2026

4 records in the catalogue1 open now (1 without a published deadline)Browse them →

What it covers

  • Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return
  • Approved tuition and examination fees
  • A personal maintenance allowance (to cover basic living costs)
  • A thesis-grant / research support allowance where applicable
  • In some cases a warm-clothing allowance and a contribution toward costs of supporting an accompanying spouse/children, as set by the terms

Eligibility

  • Citizen or refugee in an eligible Commonwealth country (proof of citizenship or refugee status required)
  • Not already hold or be studying for a degree at the same level as the one you are applying for (typically not hold a Master's when applying for a Master's)
  • Meet the level-specific academic requirements for Master's / PhD / Split-Site as defined by the CSC
  • Be nominated by an eligible nominator (a national nominating agency or selected NGO/charity), which carries out its own selection process
  • Not be able to afford to study in the UK without a scholarship, and be committed to returning to your home country afterwards

Application — step by step

  1. 1

    Confirm eligibility and identify your nominator

    Check you are a citizen/refugee of an eligible Commonwealth country and review the CSC's eligibility criteria for the level you want. Determine your nominator, normally the national nominating agency in your country, or a selected non-governmental organisation or charity for some programmes.

  2. 2

    Applications open on CSC Central

    Apply on the CSC online application system (CSC Central) once the cycle opens (in recent cycles applications opened in September and closed in mid-October, e.g. for 2027/28: opened 8 September, closed 16:00 BST on 20 October). The system uses two-factor authentication.

  3. 3

    Apply to your nominator using their own process

    As well as applying to the CSC, you must apply to (and be selected by) your nominator. The CSC does not accept direct applications. Nominators run their own selection, may have additional criteria, and set their own internal closing dates (they then nominate candidates to the CSC).

  4. 4

    Upload references and supporting documentation

    Upload references (on letterhead or a clearly identifiable sender email) collected, in PDF, with your other documents: proof of citizenship/refugee status, full academic transcripts, degree certificates and translations as needed. Everything must be uploaded to the application system by the application deadline.

  5. 5

    Submit and wait for outcome

    Selections are made from the pool of nominations (a nomination is not a guarantee of selection). Applicants are usually informed of the outcome around July of the following year by email, so check all folders including spam.

  6. 6

    Award and study in the UK

    Successful candidates take up a Commonwealth Scholarship for study beginning in the UK in September/October.

Typical documents needed

  • Proof of citizenship or refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country (valid passport or national ID)
  • Full transcripts and degree certificates (with certified translations if needed)
  • Two references uploaded in PDF (guidance supplied)
  • Completed CSC Central application form

Application cycles

The latest recorded round (2027/28) closed on 20 October 2026 (16:00 BST). No newer cycle is recorded on this page yet — check the official portal for the next one.

CycleOpenedClosedStatus
2027/288 September 202620 October 202616:00 BSTClosed 20 October 2026

Dates as the programme published them; each cycle links to the official notice. Every round is dated differently, so confirm the current one before you plan around it.

Annual cycle

Dates move every year — always confirm on the official portal before planning around them.

Early September
Applications open on CSC Central (example: 8 September for the next cycle)
Mid-October
Application deadline (example: 16:00 BST on 20 October)
By December
Nominators put forward their candidates to the CSC
~July following year
Applicants informed of the outcome
September/October following year
Study begins in the UK

Start your application

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