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Masters, PhDFully Funded

Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)

Last verified 8 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

Commonwealth Scholarships fund African students from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries to study a master's or PhD at a UK university — tuition, return airfare, monthly stipend and family allowances are all covered.

Provider
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (FCDO)
Host country
United Kingdom
Deadline
October–December (varies by award)
Region
Europe
Official source Track this application

Topics

Applying from your country? See your edition: Kenya · Nigeria · Ghana · Uganda · Tanzania · Rwanda · Mozambique · Cameroon

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply
Citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries; usually require bachelor's degree with strong honours.
Funding
Fully Funded
Study level
Masters, PhD
Deadline
October–December (varies by award)

Key eligibility criteria

  • Citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries; usually require bachelor's degree with strong honours.

Recorded funding information

  • Fully Funded

About the Commonwealth Scholarships (UK) (2026)

The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) is the UK's flagship development-focused award for citizens of Commonwealth countries. African applicants from countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa are among the largest beneficiaries each year. ## Why this scholarship matters for African applicants The programme funds master's, PhD and split-site PhD study at UK universities in priority development themes — science, technology and innovation; strengthening health systems; sustainable cities and infrastructure; education and gender; peace, security and governance. Awards specifically prioritise applicants from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries. ## What the award covers Full tuition fees at a UK university, return economy airfare, a monthly living stipend (currently around £1,400 in London and £1,150 elsewhere), thesis grant where applicable, study travel grant and family allowances for spouses and children where eligibility rules allow. ## How the selection process works You apply through your country's National Nominating Agency (e.g. the Federal Scholarship Board in Nigeria, the Ministry of Higher Education in Kenya). Each nominating agency runs a national shortlist before forwarding files to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in London for the final selection. Two stages, two sets of references, and a tight country-by-country deadline. ## Application tips that move the needle Start with the development-impact narrative — Commonwealth panels score your application against measurable development impact in your home country. Pick a course that is clearly linked to one of the six priority themes, line up references from leaders in your sector, and prepare a detailed return-and-impact plan. ## Deadlines and intake windows National nominating deadlines typically fall between September and December for the following September intake. Confirm your country-specific date on the CSC website and your national agency's portal. ## Useful internal reading - Browse open scholarships: https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/scholarships - How to write a winning scholarship essay: https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/blog/how-to-write-winning-scholarship-essay - Scholarship interview questions for African students: https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/blog/scholarship-interview-questions-african-students Always confirm the live intake on the sponsor's official site before you build a timeline around it.

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

  • Fully Funded

Commonwealth Scholarships (UK) eligibility

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • Citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries; usually require bachelor's degree with strong honours.

Commonwealth Scholarships (UK) document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

    How to apply for the Commonwealth Scholarships (UK) 2026

    Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

    1. 1
      Check the provider's process

      Consult https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/ to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.

    2. 2
      Check eligibility and any requested materials

      Listed eligibility: Citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries; usually require bachelor's degree with strong honours.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.

    3. 3
      Check dates and next steps

      Listed deadline information: October–December (varies by award). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

    Commonwealth Scholarships (UK) deadline & application timeline

    Provider deadline information: October–December (varies by award). This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

    1. Planning suggestion: 12 months out

      Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.

    2. Planning suggestion: 6 months out

      If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.

    3. Planning suggestion: 3 months out

      If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.

    4. Planning suggestion: 1 month out

      If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.

    5. Provider deadline
      October–December (varies by award)

      Provider deadline information: October–December (varies by award). Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

    Ready to apply?

    Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

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    Frequently asked questions

    Who can apply for the Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)?+

    Citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries; usually require bachelor's degree with strong honours.

    What funding does the Commonwealth Scholarships (UK) offer?+

    Listed funding: Fully Funded. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

    When is the application deadline?+

    Provider deadline information: October–December (varies by award). Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

    What documents do I need to apply?+

    No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

    How do I check the application process?+

    Consult https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/ to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: Citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries; usually require bachelor's degree with strong honours.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: October–December (varies by award). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

    UK student guides

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