Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (UK)Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (UK)

Fully funded

Commonwealth Master's Scholarships

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (UK), United Kingdom

Scholarship overview

The Commonwealth Master's Scholarships are funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and run by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC). The aim is to help talented, motivated people gain the knowledge and skills needed for sustainable development in their home countries.

The scholarship is for people from eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries, and Ghana is on the list. It pays for full-time, one-year taught Master's study at an approved UK university. The CSC does not fund MBA degrees. The 2027/28 round is for study starting in September or October 2027.

You do not apply to the CSC alone. You apply to the CSC through its online system (CSC Central) and also to a nominating organisation, usually your country's national nominating agency. The CSC does not accept direct applications. Applications are judged on your merit (including academic record), the quality of your plan of study, and the likely impact on your home country's development.

How recipients are selected

  • You apply to a nominator (a national nominating agency or a selected charity/NGO). Each nominator runs its own selection and may set its own closing date.
  • Nominators send their chosen candidates to the CSC by December 2026.
  • The CSC selects from the pool of nominations. Nomination does not guarantee selection.
  • Criteria: candidate merit (including academic experience), quality of the research/study proposal, and potential impact on your home country's development.
  • Applicants should expect to hear the outcome by July 2027, by email.
  • If selected, you are first provisionally selected, then receive a Notification of Award once admission terms are agreed with the university, then a Confirmation of Award when all conditions are met.

Award Information

  • Be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country (Ghana is listed), or have refugee status there, or be a British Protected Person, and live permanently in an eligible country.
  • Be able to start studying in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2027.
  • By September 2027, hold at least an upper second-class (2:1) first degree, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master's).
  • Be unable to afford UK study without this scholarship.
  • Provide all supporting documents in the required format.
  • You cannot have already studied at Master's level in the UK or already held a Commonwealth Scholarship at Master's level. A second Master's is not normally funded and needs a clear justification.
  • There is no age limit. Your nominating agency may have extra eligibility rules, so check with them.
  • Scholars must return home after the award. Switching to a graduate or other visa to stay in the UK is not permitted.
  • Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and back at the end of the award.
  • Full approved tuition fees, paid under an agreement between the CSC and the UK university.
  • Monthly living allowance (stipend) of GBP 1,712, or GBP 2,000 for universities in the London area.
  • A study travel grant towards study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
  • Child allowance for scholars who are widowed, divorced or single parents with children living with them in the UK: GBP 622 a month for the first child and GBP 154 a month for the second and third child under 16.
  • Extra support is assessed by the CSC if a scholar shares that they have a disability.
  • No IELTS test is required by the CSC.

2027/28 round: the CSC closing date is 16:00 BST on Tuesday 20 October (2026), and applications must go through CSC Central. Nominators can set earlier closing dates and nominate candidates to the CSC by December 2026. Results are expected by July 2027. Check with your nominating agency for its own date.

How to apply

  1. Check that your country is on the eligible list and find your national nominating agency (or an eligible NGO nominator) on the CSC website.
  2. Apply for admission to your preferred UK universities before you apply for the scholarship. The CSC advises listing three universities and courses in order of preference.
  3. Create an account on the CSC online application system, CSC Central. It uses two-factor authentication, so you need a smartphone or a second email address.
  4. Prepare your answers outside the system first, using the CSC template form and guidance document, then enter them. Save often, because refreshing the page can lose unsaved data.
  5. Complete the form, including a Development Impact statement, career plans, a detailed plan of study, a personal statement and your voluntary and leadership activities.
  6. Upload your supporting documents and make sure your referees' references are uploaded by the deadline.
  7. Submit before the CSC deadline. You cannot edit an application after submitting. Also follow your nominator's own instructions and deadline.

Documents you may need

  • Copy of a valid passport or national ID card showing your photo, date of birth and country of citizenship (or proof of refugee status).
  • Full transcripts for all higher education qualifications, including to-date transcripts for courses you are currently studying. Include certified translations if not in English. Missing pages make the application ineligible.
  • References from at least two people, in PDF, signed, on institutional letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender's details. You list three referees, and one must be a current employer if applicable.
  • Completed online application form, including the Development Impact statement and plan of study.

Official links

Information checked against the official pages on 2026-10-08. Always confirm the current call on the official site before applying.

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