The CSC funds one-year taught Master’s programmes only, and it is meant for people from eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise pay for UK study. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) runs the scheme, with money from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). India is on the list of eligible countries (India).
The round for 2027/28 has closed, with a closing date of 16:00 BST on Tuesday 20 October 2026. If you are planning for 2026-27 study, the official page does not cover that round. The page I read gives no dates for the round after 2027-28, so check the CSC site for a new notice.
The scheme needs two applications. Applications to the CSC are made using the CSC Central system. You also need to apply to a nominating body in your country, because the CSC does not accept direct applications for these scholarships. The CSC does not charge any fee to apply through its online system.
What you get
Full tuition fees are covered by agreement between the CSC and the UK university, and scholars pay none of the fee. Approved airfare from your home country to the UK, and back at the end of the award, is covered. A study travel grant is also available for study-related travel in the UK or overseas (study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas).
| Item for 2027-28 | Rate |
|---|---|
| Monthly stipend, outside London | £1,712 a month |
| Monthly stipend, London metropolitan area | £2,000 a month |
| Child allowance, first child (widowed, divorced or single parent) | £622 a month |
| Child allowance, second and third child under 16 | £154 a month |
The child allowance applies only if the children live with the scholar at the same UK address. The CSC’s family allowances are meant as a contribution, and scholars must be able to add to them to support family members who come to the UK. If a scholar discloses a disability, the CSC will assess their needs and eligibility for extra support.
Who can apply
- You must be a citizen of, or hold refugee status from, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
- You must be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- By September 2027 you need a first degree of at least 2:1, or a lower second class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master’s. The CSC page does not convert this into percentage marks.
- You must be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
- You must be available to start academic study in the UK by the start of the academic year in September 2027.
- There is no age limit for CSC applications.
- The CSC does not require an IELTS test. The official page does not say which English test your chosen university will ask for.
- Scholarships are made for full-time study only. The CSC does not fund MBA degrees.
- The CSC would not normally fund a second Master’s degree, and if you apply for one you must justify it.
- Disabled applicants who do not hold a 2:1 may be considered through the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum nominator, if they can show their potential to contribute to development.
Who cannot apply: Applicants who have already studied at Master’s level at a UK institution, or who have already received a Commonwealth Scholarship at Master’s level, are not eligible. Employees of the UK government and their relatives are excluded, as are staff of the Association of Commonwealth Universities or the British Council. Former employees of these organisations can apply three years after they left.
How to apply
- Find your nominating body. National agencies nominate candidates for Commonwealth Masters. For India, the CSC lists the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Each nominator oversees its own selection process and may have additional eligibility criteria, so check its specific rules for applying. Nominators may set their own closing dates.
- Apply for admission to a UK university. Scholarships can be taken at any approved UK university with which the CSC has a part-funding agreement for a specific programme. You must apply for admission in advance. The CSC advises listing three universities and courses in order of preference, with reasons.
- Register on CSC Central at portal.csccentralonline.org.uk/application. The form uses two-factor authentication, which needs a smartphone or a second email account when you register. Prepare your answers outside the system first, then add them once they are final. A template application form and a guidance document are available on the CSC page.
- Save as you go. Use the save function to avoid losing data. Applications cannot be edited after you submit them.
- Submit early. The CSC expects the system to be very busy before the deadline and cannot accept late applications.
Documents you need
- A valid passport or national ID card showing a photograph, date of birth and country of citizenship.
- Full transcripts of all higher education qualifications, including to-date transcripts for courses you are studying now, with certified translations if not in English. Missing transcripts or pages make an application ineligible.
- References from at least two people, in PDF format, signed, on institutional letterhead or from an email that clearly shows the sender’s details.
- In the form you list your qualifications, up to 10 publications and prizes, and your employment history and how it supports the programme.
- Three referees are needed, and one must be a current employer if you have one.
- A Development Impact statement in four parts, and a detailed plan of study.
- The CSC does not accept supporting documents sent outside the online system.
How students are selected
The CSC judges applications on candidate merit including academic experience, the quality of the research proposal, and the potential impact on the candidate’s home country. A nomination does not guarantee selection. If selected, you receive a provisional selection letter, subject to agreed admission terms. A Notification of Award follows once terms are agreed. You must submit a Health and Disability Form before the Confirmation of Award is issued.
Renewal
Scholarships are for one degree only, and funding will not be extended to a qualification in addition to or higher than the one selected for. The CSC will consider a request to extend leave to remain in the UK only if a scholar wants to move from Master’s to PhD study. Strict conditions apply.
Important dates
- Closing date for the 2027-28 round: 16:00 BST on Tuesday 20 October 2026.
- Nominations to the CSC: by December 2026.
- Results: by July 2027, sent by email.
- Study start: September or October 2027.
Official sources
- Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships - Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
- National nominating agencies - Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
Checked against these official sources on 5 November 2026.
