Commonwealth Scholarship Guide

What Commonwealth Scholarships are

Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships enable students from eligible Commonwealth countries to study in the United Kingdom. They are funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC).

The programme is aimed at talented individuals who might not otherwise be able to study in the UK, and several award types exist to suit different levels and circumstances.

The main award types

The CSC runs several distinct scholarship and fellowship schemes. Each has its own eligibility — often linked to the income classification of your home country — and its own application route, so check which schemes are open to your country on the official CSC website.

• Master's Scholarships — for full-time taught postgraduate study in the UK
• PhD Scholarships — for doctoral study (eligibility varies by country group)
• Shared Scholarships — jointly run with UK universities for students from lower-income Commonwealth countries
• Distance Learning Scholarships — for UK master's courses studied in your home country

Who is eligible

Commonwealth Scholarships are open to citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries who meet the academic and other requirements of the specific scheme they apply to. Eligibility often depends on your country's income classification, your proposed level of study, and how the scheme is delivered.

The exact eligible-country list and the requirements for each scheme are published on the official CSC site and are updated each cycle, so confirm your eligibility there before applying.

How to apply

Most Commonwealth Scholarships are applied for through the CSC's official online application system, and many schemes also require nomination by an approved nominating body in your home country — such as a government agency, a participating university, or a designated organisation.

Because the nomination route and deadlines differ by scheme and country, read the application instructions for your specific scheme on the official CSC website and follow the current official process.

Apply safely — no guarantees

Applying for a Commonwealth Scholarship through the official channels is free, and no person or agency can guarantee you an award. Be wary of anyone charging a fee for a "guaranteed" Commonwealth Scholarship — that is not part of the official process.

This guide describes how the programme is structured. It does not list amounts or deadlines, because those change each cycle — verify all current details on the official CSC site before you apply.