Applications are now open for the Commonwealth Graduate Scholarships in the United Kingdom. These prestigious and fully funded scholarships are available to outstanding international students from Commonwealth countries who wish to pursue a Master’s degree or PhD in the UK. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the program offers talented students the chance to study at world-class UK universities without financial burden.

This scholarship covers full tuition, living allowances, travel costs, and other study-related expenses. It is one of the most competitive UK scholarships for international students, designed to support individuals who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to contributing to sustainable development in their home countries.

Quick Summary of Commonwealth Graduate Scholarships

• Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
• Study Levels: Master’s, PhD
• Host Country: United Kingdom
• Eligible Applicants: Students from Commonwealth Countries
• Scholarship Duration: Up to 36 months
• Application Deadline: 14 October

Scholarship Overview

The Commonwealth Graduate Scholarships aim to empower students from low- and middle-income Commonwealth nations to acquire advanced knowledge and skills for driving development in their countries. The program also strengthens the UK’s higher education system by fostering diversity, global collaboration, and academic excellence.

Financial Coverage

The Commonwealth UK Scholarships are fully funded, ensuring students can study in the UK free of cost. Benefits include:

• Full coverage of tuition fees
• Approved airfare from the home country to the UK and return upon completion of the award
• Monthly living allowance of £1,452 (outside London) or £1,781 (for London-based universities)
• Warm clothing allowance (if applicable)
• Thesis or dissertation grant
• Study travel grant within the UK or abroad (if required)

Fields of Study

Scholarships are awarded across six priority themes:

1. Science and Technology for Development
2. Strengthening Health Systems and Capacity
3. Promoting Global Prosperity
4. Strengthening Global Peace, Security, and Governance
5. Strengthening Resilience and Response to Crises
6. Access, Inclusion, and Opportunity

Eligible Countries

Master’s Scholarship Applicants:

Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St Helena, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, The Gambia, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia

Doctoral Scholarship Applicants:

Bangladesh, Cameroon, The Gambia, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, Tuvalu, Uganda, Zambia

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Commonwealth Graduate Scholarships, applicants must:

• Be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country
• Hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honors, or a second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification (Master’s degree) by September
• Have completed either a four-year bachelor’s degree, or a two-year bachelor’s plus a two-year master’s program
• Not be enrolled in a PhD or MPhil leading to a PhD at a UK institution before September
• Demonstrate financial need, showing they cannot afford UK study without this scholarship

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the Commonwealth International Scholarship in the UK is 14 October.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the official scholarship portals. Separate links are provided for each study level:

• Apply for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship

• Apply for Commonwealth PhD Scholarship