COMMONWEALTH MASTER’S SCHOLARSHIPS 2025

Website Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

Fully Funded UK Government Scholarships for Students from Developing Commonwealth Countries

OVERVIEW

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are designed to support students from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK. These scholarships are funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC).

The program aims to support future leaders and innovators who can contribute to sustainable development in their home countries.

LEVEL OF STUDY

  • One-year full-time Master’s degree programs only
  • Must begin study in the UK in September/October 2025

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible, you must:

  1. Be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country
  2. Permanently reside in an eligible country
  3. Be available to start academic study in the UK by September 2025
  4. Have a first degree with at least upper second class (2:1) honours
    • OR a lower second class (2:2) with a relevant postgraduate qualification
  5. Not have studied or worked in a high-income country for more than one year
  6. Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
  7. Submit all supporting documents and two references by the deadline

WHAT THE SCHOLARSHIP COVERS

This is a fully funded scholarship. It includes:

  • Full tuition fees paid directly to the university
  • Monthly stipend for living expenses:
    • £1,378 per month outside London
    • £1,690 per month in London
  • Round-trip airfare to and from the UK
  • Thesis or dissertation grant (for eligible programs)
  • Study travel grant for travel within or outside the UK related to your course
  • Warm clothing allowance
  • TB test fee reimbursement if required for UK visa
  • Child allowance for single parents:
    • £590/month for the first child
    • £146/month for the second and third child under age 16
  • Disability support (if applicable) provided on a case-by-case basis

FIELDS OF STUDY

Eligible Master’s programs must fall within one of six development themes:

  1. Science and Technology for Development
  2. Strengthening Health Systems and Capacity
  3. Promoting Global Prosperity
  4. Strengthening Global Peace, Security, and Governance
  5. Strengthening Resilience and Response to Crises
  6. Access, Inclusion and Opportunity

Each UK university participating in the scholarship offers specific courses aligned with these themes.

APPLICATION PROCESS

  1. Choose a university and eligible Master’s course. Only selected universities participate in this scheme.
  2. Apply separately to the university for admission to the Master’s program.
  3. Apply to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) using their online application system.
  4. Submit the following documents:
  • Passport or national ID
  • Degree certificates and transcripts
  • Two references
  • A development-focused personal statement
  • Admission offer or proof of course application

Note: You must apply to both the university and the scholarship scheme. Each university has its own deadlines, so apply early.

TIMELINE (ESTIMATED)

  • University application deadline: Varies (usually between November and January)
  • CSC online application deadline: Likely mid-December 2024
  • University nomination deadline to CSC: March 2025
  • Final results announced: July 2025
  • Study begins: September/October 2025

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants are assessed on:

  1. Academic merit –> grades, qualifications, and relevant experience
  2. Quality of study plan –> clarity, relevance to development goals
  3. Potential development impact –> how your work will benefit your home country
  4. Leadership and commitment –> evidence of community engagement or career impact

OBLIGATIONS AFTER STUDY

  • You must return to your home country within one month of completing your degree
  • You must not remain in the UK for further study unless directly approved by the CSC
  • You are expected to contribute to your country’s development after graduation

FINAL TIPS

  • Start preparing your academic documents, passport, and references now
  • Choose courses that align with the development goals listed above
  • Write a strong personal statement showing how the UK degree will directly support your country’s growth
  • Apply to multiple universities (if possible) to increase your chances
  • Keep track of university and scholarship deadlines separately

To apply for this job please visit cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk.