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The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships for 2027/28 close at 16:00 BST on Tuesday 20 October, according to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). That leaves seven days from today, 13 October 2026. The awards fund study at a UK university from September or October 2027. Candidates cannot apply directly, so the real clock is often earlier than 20 October.
On this page
- Who can apply
- What the award pays for
- Why your nominator’s date matters
- Documents to upload
- The week ahead
- Commonwealth scholarship FAQ
Who can apply for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
You must be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country, or hold refugee status granted by one, or be a British Protected Person. You must also live permanently in an eligible country. The CSC list includes Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Uganda, plus many small island states, which the CSC says it particularly welcomes.
You need a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours by September 2027. A lower second-class degree can work if you also hold a relevant postgraduate qualification. You must show that you cannot afford UK study without the award. The CSC does not normally fund a second master’s, and anyone who has studied at master’s level in the UK is not eligible.
What the award pays for
The CSC lists four main items. It pays approved airfare to the UK and back, and it pays full tuition fees by agreement with the university. The monthly stipend is £1,712, or £2,000 at universities in the London area, at current rates. A study travel grant covers study-related travel. Scholars who are widowed, divorced or single parents can also receive a partial contribution of £622 a month for a first child and £154 for the second and third children under 16. Dependants’ airfares are not covered.
Why your nominator’s date matters
This is the point most readers miss. The CSC accepts no direct applications. You apply to a nominating body, such as a national nominating agency, and each one sets its own closing date and extra criteria. The CSC says nominators must put their candidates forward by December 2026, and results are expected by July 2027.
Here is a hypothetical case. Chidi is a Nigerian doctor with a 2:1 who wants a public health master’s in Edinburgh. He sees the 20 October date and plans to apply on 19 October. His national nominator, however, closed three weeks earlier. Chidi is an illustration, not a real applicant, but the lesson is real: confirm your nominator’s date today.
Documents to upload before the deadline
Applications go through the CSC’s online system only, and there is no application fee. You upload a copy of your passport or national ID, full transcripts for all higher education, and two signed PDF references. Transcripts not in English need certified translations. The CSC says applications cannot be edited after submission, and late applications are not accepted. Ask your referees now, because two signed references often take the longest.
The week ahead: a short checklist
Start with the nominator, not the portal. Confirm the closing date and any extra rules. Next, order transcripts and translations. Then brief both referees. Finally, submit a day early to leave room for upload problems. If you miss this round, other UK and European awards close soon. Our guides cover the Chevening 2027/28 timeline and the Gates Cambridge deadlines. A scholarship listing compiled by Global South Opportunities on 8 October also shows Commonwealth PhD awards closing on 20 October.
Not sure which route fits your profile? Try our visa eligibility checker to plan the student visa step that follows an award.
Eligibility traps to check before you apply
Four details trip up strong candidates. First, the CSC prefers applicants who have already finished their undergraduate degree. Second, it does not normally fund a second master’s. Third, anyone who studied at master’s level at a UK institution is not eligible, and neither is anyone who held a Commonwealth Master’s scholarship before. Fourth, you must be free to start in the UK by September 2027. There is no age limit, so mid-career professionals can apply.
Commonwealth scholarship FAQ
When is the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships deadline?
The CSC states 16:00 BST on Tuesday 20 October for the 2027/28 round. Your nominating body may close earlier.
Can I apply to the CSC directly?
No. You apply through a nominating body, and each sets its own closing date. The main route is a national nominating agency.
What is the monthly stipend?
The CSC lists £1,712 a month, or £2,000 for universities in the London area, at current rates.
Is there an application fee?
No. The CSC states that there is no application fee.
Can I edit my application after I submit it?
No. The CSC says applications cannot be edited after submission, and it does not accept late applications.
Sources
- Commonwealth Scholarship Commission — Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships. https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/
- Global South Opportunities — 55 Master’s and PhD scholarships you can apply for now (8 October 2026). https://www.globalsouthopportunities.com/2026/10/01/october/
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