Commonwealth Master's and PhD Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC), funded by the UK FCDO (South African candidates are nominated by the Department of Higher Education and Training)
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK funds Commonwealth citizens to study in the United Kingdom. South Africans are eligible for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarships, which fund a one-year taught Master's at a UK university, but not for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, which are limited to least developed and fragile countries. Funded by the UK FCDO, the Master's award covers full tuition, a monthly stipend, return airfare and other allowances for talented candidates who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. South African applicants are nominated through the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
- Amount
- Full scholarship (no fixed cash amount): full UK tuition + monthly stipend of GBP 1,712 (GBP 2,000 in the London area) at current rates, plus return airfare, a study travel grant and other allowances
- Deadline
- 20 October 2026
- Renewable
- Yes
Eligible Fields of Study
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC), funded by the UK FCDO (South African candidates are nominated by the Department of Higher Education and Training) supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ Be a citizen of (or hold refugee status / be a British Protected Person in) an eligible Commonwealth country such as South Africa, and be permanently resident in an eligible country
- ✓ By September 2027, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification
- ✓ Be available to start a one-year, full-time taught Master's in the UK by September/October 2027
- ✓ Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship (financial need)
- ✓ Not have studied at Master's level in the UK before or held a Commonwealth Master's Scholarship; a second Master's must be justified
- ✓ Commit to returning to South Africa after the scholarship
- ✓ Apply on CSC Central and select the DHET as your nominating agency - direct applications to the CSC are not accepted, MBAs are not funded, and South Africans are not eligible for Commonwealth PhD Scholarships
What's Included
- ✓ Full approved tuition fees at the UK university
- ✓ Monthly stipend of GBP 1,712, or GBP 2,000 at universities in the London metropolitan area (current rates)
- ✓ Approved return airfare between South Africa and the UK
- ✓ Study travel grant towards study-related travel in the UK or overseas
- ✓ Child allowance for widowed, divorced or single-parent scholars (GBP 622 a month for the first child; GBP 154 for the second and third)
- ✓ Disability support: a full needs assessment and possible additional funding
How to Apply
Steps to complete your Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC), funded by the UK FCDO (South African candidates are nominated by the Department of Higher Education and Training) bursary application
- 1
Check eligibility on the CSC Commonwealth Master's Scholarships page and the DHET international scholarships site, and confirm your course fits one of the six CSC development themes
- 2
Choose eligible one-year taught Master's courses at UK universities
- 3
Register on CSC Central (portal.csccentralonline.org.uk/application), complete the application and select the DHET as your nominating agency - no separate application to the DHET is needed
- 4
Upload your ID or passport, full transcripts and at least two references inside CSC Central (documents sent any other way are not accepted)
- 5
Submit by 16:00 BST on Tuesday 20 October 2026
- 6
The DHET shortlists and interviews candidates and nominates them to the CSC by December 2026
- 7
The CSC makes the final selection; results are expected by July 2027
Required Documents
- 📄 Valid passport or national ID showing your photo, date of birth and citizenship
- 📄 Full higher education transcripts, including current studies (certified translations if not in English)
- 📄 At least two references in PDF format, signed and on institutional letterhead (or with an email showing the referee's details)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can apply for the Commonwealth scholarships from South Africa?
- South Africans can apply for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarships if they are citizens (or have refugee status) and permanently resident, will hold at least a 2:1 honours degree (or a 2:2 plus a relevant postgraduate qualification) by September 2027, have not studied at Master's level in the UK, and could not afford UK study without the scholarship. South Africa is not on the eligible list for Commonwealth PhD Scholarships.
- How do South African students apply?
- Apply on the CSC Central online system and select the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) as your nominating agency - the CSC does not accept direct applications. For 2027/28 the deadline is 16:00 BST on Tuesday 20 October 2026. The DHET receives applications from the CSC, interviews shortlisted candidates and nominates them by December 2026.
- What does the scholarship cover?
- It is a full scholarship covering approved UK tuition fees, a monthly stipend of GBP 1,712 (GBP 2,000 in the London area) at current rates, approved return airfare and a study travel grant, plus child allowances for eligible single parents and disability support where needed.
- Are MBAs or PhDs eligible?
- No. The CSC funds one-year taught Master's programmes only and does not fund MBAs. The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are restricted to least developed and fragile countries, which do not include South Africa.
Ready to apply?
Applications close on 20 October 2026
Apply on Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC), funded by the UK FCDO (South African candidates are nominated by the Department of Higher Education and Training)'s official siteNeed help? Contact Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC), funded by the UK FCDO (South African candidates are nominated by the Department of Higher Education and Training):
Information verified 2026-10-12. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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