MPORTANT: Applications for Commonwealth Master's Scholarships for the academic year 2023/24 are now closed. Applications for 2024/25 will open in September 2023. The application information below is for advice only and is correct as of 1 January 2023.
These scholarships are offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and funded by the UK Department for International Development. They are for students from eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries who want to study for a full-time taught Master’s degree at a UK university.
Candidates will be chosen based on:
- their potential to impact the development of their home country
- academic merit
- the quality of their study plan
Level of study
This scholarship is for full time postgraduate Master’s study.
Subject areas
This scholarship is for study across a range of subject areas. It is offered to students whose studies fall under one of these themes:
- Science and technology for development
- Strengthening health systems and capacity
- Promoting global prosperity
- Strengthening global peace, security and governance
- Strengthening resilience and response to crises
- Access, inclusion and opportunity
What is covered
This scholarship covers:
- your tuition fees
- return travel costs
- a monthly stipend
- an allowances package
Who can apply
To apply for this scholarship you must:
- be a British Protected Person, a citizen of, or a refugee in, one of the following countries:
- 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
- St Helena
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- Sierra Leone
- Soloman Islands
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
- live permanently in one of the countries listed
- be available to start your academic studies by the start of the UK academic year in September
- hold one of the following degrees by September:
- a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard
- a second class degree (2:2) and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a master’s degree)
- be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
- provide all supporting documentation in the required format
How to apply
- Apply through your local national nominating agency or non-governmental organisation.
- Apply for your master’s degree at Southampton, stating that you wish to be considered for Commonwealth Scholarship funding.
Further information
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission provides more information on this scholarship.
The Commission will normally only fund your first UK master’s degree. You’ll need to provide justification If you’re applying for a second UK master’s degree.
Further Commonwealth Scholarship opportunities include: