The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) offers some of the most prestigious and competitive fully funded opportunities for students across developing and Commonwealth countries. Designed to support academic excellence, leadership, and development-based learning, these scholarships allow talented students to study at top universities in the United Kingdom.
For the 2026/2027 intake, a number of fully funded opportunities are available at the Master’s, PhD, and distance-learning levels. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of scholarship types, eligibility conditions, application steps, deadlines, and preparation strategies.
The Commonwealth Scholarships for 2026 aim to support outstanding scholars from eligible Commonwealth countries, enabling them to contribute to the development of their home nations through high-quality UK education.
Below are the primary scholarship categories available for the 2026/2027 academic year.
These scholarships support students who wish to pursue a full-time master’s degree in the UK. The programs must align with the CSC’s development themes, such as climate change, public health, science and technology, governance, or social development.
Who it is for:
Students from eligible Commonwealth countries who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need.
Covers:
Full tuition fee, living allowance, travel expenses, and other academic costs.
These are offered jointly by the CSC and selected UK universities to support Master’s programs focused on development-related subjects. The aim is to train professionals from low-income and least-developed Commonwealth countries.
Who it is for:
Students who cannot afford to study in the UK without a full scholarship and are applying to specific Shared Scholarship-designated courses.
Covers:
Full tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, and study allowance.
These scholarships are available for applicants interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in the UK. There are two formats:
Full-time PhD
A full research-based doctoral program completed entirely in the UK.
Split-site PhD
Research divided between the applicant’s home university and a UK university, typically 12 months in the UK and the rest at home.
Who it is for:
Academically strong candidates with a completed Master’s degree or an equivalent research qualification.
These scholarships allow students to earn a UK Master’s degree through distance learning, enabling them to continue working or studying in their home country.
Who it is for:
Mid-career professionals who require postgraduate education but cannot relocate.
Covers:
Full tuition fees for the selected distance-learning program.
Eligibility varies by scholarship type, but the general requirements include:
Applicants must be:
Applicants must demonstrate that they cannot afford to study in the UK without financial support.
A strong component of the Commonwealth Scholarship is the expectation that graduates will contribute to the social and economic development of their home country.
Applicants must:
The application procedure involves multiple steps and may differ depending on the scholarship type. Generally, students must apply both to the university and the Commonwealth portal.
Step 1: Check Eligibility and Scholarship Category
Review the specific requirements for the scholarship you plan to apply for, including academic background, age limits (if any), and development relevance.
Step 2: Choose a UK University and Course
Applicants must identify courses that align with the CSC development themes and ensure they meet university requirements.
Step 3: Apply to the University
Most scholarships require a conditional or unconditional admission offer before CSC can award a scholarship.
Applications are typically submitted directly to the university via its admissions portal.
Step 4: Apply through CSC Portal or National Nominating Body
Depending on the category:
Step 5: Submit Required Documents
Common documents include:
Step 6: Interview (If Applicable)
Some national nominating agencies conduct interviews.
Step 7: Final Selection by CSC
Selected scholars receive an award letter and guidance on visa, travel, and pre-departure requirements.
While deadlines vary each year and by scholarship type, the general timeline is:
Applicants should regularly check updated timelines on the relevant scholarship pages.
iQualify Abroad works with students across Pakistan and other eligible Commonwealth countries to strengthen their applications and maximize their scholarship success rate. Our services include:
We ensure applications are strong, competitive, and aligned with CSC priorities.
The Commonwealth Scholarships for the 2026/2027 cycle are an exceptional opportunity for academically talented and socially committed individuals seeking to study in the UK. With full financial support and access to world-class facilities, these scholarships empower graduates to become leaders and change-makers in their home countries.
Students are encouraged to begin their preparations early—especially for obtaining university offers, crafting strong motivation statements, and aligning their applications with CSC development themes.
If you want tailored guidance, application assistance, or eligibility evaluation, iQualify Abroad is ready to support you throughout your Commonwealth Scholarship journey.