Commonwealth Masters Scholarships 2027

Commonwealth Masters Scholarships are for candidates from eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries, put forward by various nominating agencies, to undertake full-time taught Masters study at a UK university. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), these scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required to contribute to sustainable development in these countries, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. The Scholarships are offered under six development themes:

• Science and technology for development
• Improving population health, health systems and capacity
• Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship
• Strengthening peace, security and governance
• Strengthening resilience and response to crises
• Access, inclusion and opportunity

Entry requirements

Full information can be found here: Commonwealth Masters Scholarships, including lists of eligible countries and nominating agencies.  

Prospective applicants should check the eligibility requirements of the relevant nominating agency, as well as those for the scholarship, and their chosen university programmes. The scholarship selection process is based on academic merit, the quality of the study plan and potential development impact. 

How to apply

All applications must be made through one of the listed nominating agencies. Contact the relevant nominating agency first for their specific advice and rules for applying, as well as their own closing date for applications. 

Scholarship applications should be made via the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's online application system, by 16:00 hours BST (15:00 GMT) on 20 October 2026, in addition to any other application that you are required to complete by your nominating agency.

You should also apply for your chosen university Masters programmes well in advance of this date, so that you can be provided with Admission decisions. (MBA programmes are not eligible.)

For information about applying for a University of Exeter Postgraduate taught programme, please visit our Masters study pages - applications for programmes beginning in September 2027 are expected to open at the end of September 2026. 

Summary