Fully Funded Commonwealth Masters Scholarships 2025
Suitably qualified applicants from eligible low and middle-income Commonwealth countries are invited to apply for the Fully Funded Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships for the 2025/2026 academic year. This opportunity is for individuals seeking to pursue a full-time Master’s degree at a UK university.
Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), these master scholarships are designed to support talented and driven individuals who aim to contribute to sustainable development but lack the financial means to study in the UK.
SEE ALSO: EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships 2024/2025
Scholarship Summary:
Scholarship Sponsor(s): UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
Host Institution(s): UK University
Scholarship Worth: Fully Funded
Number of Awards: Several
Study Level: Master’s
Nationality: Commonwealth Countries
Requirements and eligibility criteria;
- Must be a citizen of, or have refugee status from, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
- Must be a permanent resident of an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Must be able to begin studies in the UK by September 2025.
- By September 2025, must hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours, or a lower second-class degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree).
- Must be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
- Must submit all required supporting documentation in the correct format.
Scholarship Benefits:
- Round-trip airfare from the home country to the UK.
- Full tuition fees are covered by the CSC and UK universities.
- Monthly stipend: £1,378 (or £1,690 for universities in London).
- Warm clothing allowance (if applicable).
- Study travel grant for related travel in the UK or overseas.
- Child allowance: £590/month for the first child, £146/month for the second and third children (under 16), if living with a single parent in the UK.
SEE ALSO: National Treasury Audit Committee Member in South Africa
Application Procedures (How to apply);
Interested and eligible applicants should submit their applications before the deadline. Applicants must also apply through a nominating body to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC).
There are two types of nominators for the Master’s scholarship program:
- National nominating agencies (the main route).
- Selected non-governmental organizations and charitable bodies.
Required Documents:
- Proof of citizenship or refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country (copy of a valid passport or national ID showing a photo, date of birth, and citizenship).
- Full transcripts for all higher education qualifications, including any courses currently being studied. Transcripts must be complete and include all pages, with certified translations if not in English.
- At least two references, in PDF format, signed, and either on institutional letterhead or an email showing the sender’s details.
In the application form, applicants must:
- List all undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications obtained.
- List up to 10 publications and prizes (if applicable).
- Provide details of employment history and explain how their experience supports the program they wish to pursue in the UK.
- List the names and positions of three referees who can comment on their potential to benefit from the Scholarship and their ability to create a development impact after completing it. One referee must be a current employer (if applicable), and at least two references must be submitted with the application.
- Write a Development Impact statement in four parts.
Application Deadline: October 15, 2024.
For more information visit the official website