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Commonwealth Master's (UK) 2026: eligibility, amount, selection and how to apply

Fully funded Study in United Kingdom

Commonwealth Master's Scholarships (Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK), given by Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (funded by the UK FCDO). Fully funded: fees, monthly stipend and airfare.

Given byCommonwealth Scholarship Commission
LevelPostgraduate
MoneyFully funded: fees, monthly stipend and airfare
How many get itNot published
This yearCSC closes 20 Oct 2026

CSC: Commonwealth Master's ScholarshipsCheck if you can applyLetter of recommendation helperVisa

Who can apply for Commonwealth Master's (UK)

You can apply if

  • A citizen of, or refugee in, an eligible Commonwealth country (India is eligible), and permanently resident there
  • By September 2027, a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours, or a lower second-class degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification
  • Unable to afford study in the UK without the scholarship

Check if you can apply

Answer from your own documents. The questions are the scholarship's published rules; your answers stay in this browser.

Is your first degree at least upper second class (2:1), or a lower second with a relevant postgraduate qualification?
Are you an Indian citizen living permanently in India?
Would you be unable to afford UK study without this scholarship?
Will you return to India when your visa ends?

Answer the questions to see if you meet the published conditions.

How many get it: The number of awards is not published on the CSC page checked. Source: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (FCDO).

JanWatchdog does not give a percentage chance: the scholarship does not publish one. Meeting every rule makes you eligible to apply; selection then depends on the steps below.

What Commonwealth Master's (UK) pays

Fully funded: fees, monthly stipend and airfare. Full fees, a stipend of GBP 1,712 a month (GBP 2,000 a month in the London metropolitan area), and approved return airfare.

What it covers

How Commonwealth Master's (UK) selection works

  1. Judged on candidate merit (including academic record), the quality of the study plan, and the potential impact on the development of your home country
  2. Applications must address one of the CSC's six development themes
  3. No IELTS test is required by the CSC

How to apply for Commonwealth Master's (UK), step by step

  1. Apply through a nominator: the CSC does not accept direct applications. In India the national nominating agency is the Ministry of Education's Department of Higher Education, which runs its own call.
  2. Also submit the application on the CSC's online system (CSC Central).
  3. Upload references from at least two people, signed, as PDFs.
  4. Nominators send their candidates to the CSC by December 2026; outcomes come by July 2027.

Dates: For study from September or October 2027: CSC applications close at 16:00 BST on Tuesday 20 October 2026; nominations by December 2026; results by July 2027. The nominating agency's own deadline is earlier.

Documents to keep ready

Conditions after the award

CSC: Commonwealth Master's Scholarships

Letters of recommendation for Commonwealth Master's (UK)

How manyAt least 2 (the form asks for 3 referees)
From whomThe CSC page does not say who the referees must be
How they are sentReferences are uploaded with your application as signed PDF files; at least two must be included when you submit

Who should write them: The CSC page does not say who the referees must be.

How they are sent: References are uploaded with your application as signed PDF files; at least two must be included when you submit.

What the letter should cover

The CSC does not list what a reference must cover; these are the CSC's three selection criteria.

Prepare notes and a starting draft for your referee

Fill in what you can. The helper puts your examples under each point the scholarship asks about and writes notes and a plain starting draft. Your referee must write the letter in their own words, check every fact and sign it: scholarships check references, and a letter your referee does not stand behind can cost you the scholarship.

Visa: UK Student visa

  1. Get an offer of a place from your UK university (it must be a licensed student sponsor).
  2. Apply online from India no earlier than 6 months before your course starts.
  3. Pay the application fee: GBP 558 from outside the UK.
  4. Pay the immigration health surcharge: GBP 776 a year for students.
  5. Show money for your course fees for one year and living costs of GBP 1,529 a month in London or GBP 1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to 9 months. If a scholarship or sponsor pays, show evidence from the sponsor.
  6. Take a tuberculosis (TB) test at a clinic approved by the UK Home Office: India is on the list of countries that need one.
  7. After approval, set up a UKVI account to use your eVisa.

Fees and rules change: check the official visa pages before you apply.

Visa sources

Sources

Everything on this page comes from these documents and pages. Checked 18 Oct 2026.

JanWatchdog is not connected with any scholarship. Apply only on the official website; applying is free and no agent is needed.

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