Commonwealth Scholarships for Integrated Science: 2026 Profile
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)03 Oct 2025, 16:00 Z
TL;DR
Commonwealth Master's Scholarships cover airfare, tuition, and generous stipends for high-potential science leaders from eligible Commonwealth nations who cannot self-fund UK postgraduate study. Apply through your national nominating agency, prepare development impact statements, and line up referees and transcripts early.
Scholarship Snapshot
- Status: Application Cycle Open for 2026/27 entry (last checked 2025-10-03)
- Who It Targets: Citizens or refugees from eligible Commonwealth countries who are ready to begin a UK Master's degree in September/October 2026 and can demonstrate the need for full financial support
- Eligibility: Upper second-class honours (or equivalent) bachelor's degree by September 2026, plus the ability to articulate how your science or technology pathway advances Commonwealth development goals
- Tenable Institutions: UK universities with a CSC part-funding agreement across science, engineering, and interdisciplinary research programmes
- Bond: No formal service bond, but scholars must leave the UK at the end of the award and deliver development impact in their home country
Award Components
- Fully funded round-trip airfare between your home country and the UK
- Full tuition coverage negotiated between the CSC and your host university
- Monthly living stipend of GBP 1,452 outside London or GBP 1,781 within London (current 2025/26 rates)
- Warm clothing allowance where relevant
- Study travel grant for UK or overseas academic fieldwork
- Child allowance of GBP 622 per month for the first child and GBP 154 per month for the second and third child under 16 if you are a single parent, divorced, or widowed with dependants living in the UK
- Additional disability support following a needs assessment by the CSC
Eligibility Highlights
- Citizenship: Hold citizenship or refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country and reside there permanently.
- Academic preparation: Achieve at least a 2:1 honours undergraduate degree (or a 2:2 plus a relevant postgraduate qualification) by September 2026.
- Financial need: Demonstrate that you cannot otherwise afford UK postgraduate study.
- Documentation: Upload proof of citizenship, academic transcripts for all tertiary study, and two signed references on institutional letterhead.
- Development impact: Prepare detailed responses on how your research agenda advances Commonwealth development themes such as science and technology for development.
- Post-award obligation: Sign the CSC undertaking to return home at the end of the award and continue delivering development impact in your Commonwealth country.
Application Roadmap
- Confirm your eligibility with your national nominating agency and note their earlier internal deadline (often before the CSC closing date).
- Draft your development impact statement covering award objectives, five-year and long-term career plans, study roadmap, and personal background.
- Secure three referees (at least one current employer if applicable) and obtain two signed references in PDF format for upload.
- Complete the Commonwealth Scholarship online application, attach all supporting documents, and submit before your nominating agency's cut-off.
- Apply separately to up to three preferred UK universities and programmes aligned with your integrated science goals and include those choices in the CSC application.
- Monitor email (including spam folders) for nomination or selection updates; respond promptly if you receive a provisional award to finalise admission and visa steps.
Preparation Playbook
- Align your research proposal with one of the CSC's development themes, highlighting tangible benefits for your home community or region.
- Map out UK programmes with experimental or interdisciplinary labs that match your integrated science interests and list them in order of preference.
- Gather evidence of leadership, community outreach, and research outputs (publications, competitions, lab experience) that demonstrate readiness for intensive postgraduate work.
- Budget for family relocation if applicable; CSC family allowances are contributory rather than comprehensive.
- Familiarise yourself with the CSC Handbook to understand scholar obligations, reporting cycles, and support channels.
