Applications are open for the Commonwealth Scholarship 2027/28, a fully funded UK scholarship opportunity for talented students from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria.
Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), the scholarship provides opportunities for eligible candidates to pursue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom.
The scholarship supports both one-year taught Master’s programmes and three-year PhD programmes, with successful scholars receiving financial support covering major study and living expenses. The 2027/28 academic session is expected to begin in September 2027.
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What Is the Commonwealth Scholarship?
The Commonwealth Scholarship is one of the major international scholarship programmes supported by the UK Government.
It is designed to support talented individuals from eligible Commonwealth countries who have the potential to contribute to the development of their home countries through advanced education, research and professional expertise.
Over the years, more than 34,000 people have taken up Commonwealth Scholarships.
For eligible Nigerian applicants, the programme provides an opportunity to study at participating UK universities while receiving substantial financial support throughout the scholarship period.
Commonwealth Scholarship 2027/28 at a Glance
- Scholarship: Commonwealth Scholarship
- Study Country: United Kingdom
- Funding Organisation: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- Administering Body: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
- Study Level: Master’s and PhD
- Academic Session: 2027/28
- Master’s Duration: One year
- PhD Duration: Three years
- Study Start: September 2027
- Eligible Applicants: Citizens or eligible residents of participating Commonwealth countries
- Application Deadline: October 20, 2026
- Application Fee: No fee for the CSC application
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Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The Commonwealth Scholarship is not open to applicants from every nationality. Applicants must be citizens of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country, or meet the applicable residency requirements.
- Nigeria is included among the eligible countries.
- Applicants should generally meet the following requirements:
- Be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country or have been granted refugee status in an eligible country
- Be a permanent resident of an eligible Commonwealth country where applicable
- Be available to commence academic studies in the UK in September 2027
- By September 2027, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class, or 2:1, honours standard
Applicants with a lower second-class degree may be considered where they also hold a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master’s degree, subject to the applicable scholarship and nominating-agency requirements
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Applicants should note that meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee selection. Candidates must also satisfy any additional criteria established by their relevant nominating agency.
Commonwealth Scholarship Study Options
The scholarship provides funding for different postgraduate study routes.
One-Year Master’s Scholarship
Successful Master’s scholars will undertake a one-year taught postgraduate programme at a participating UK university.
This route is suitable for applicants seeking advanced academic and professional training that can contribute to their career development and future contribution to their home country.
Three-Year PhD Scholarship
The PhD scholarship supports three years of full-time doctoral study in the UK.
The PhD route is intended for candidates with strong research potential whose proposed research aligns with the scholarship’s objectives and development priorities.
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What Does the Commonwealth Scholarship Cover?
The Commonwealth Scholarship provides substantial financial support to successful scholars.
The benefits include:
- Return international airfare to and from the United Kingdom
- Full approved tuition fees
- Monthly living allowance or stipend
- Warm clothing allowance where applicable
- Thesis or study-related allowance where applicable
- Additional study travel grants where approved
- Additional support may also be available to eligible scholars with disabilities.
Eligible scholars with dependent children may receive additional family allowances under the applicable CSC provisions. The exact allowances and conditions should be confirmed from the official scholarship guidance for the 2027/28 cycle.
How the Commonwealth Scholarship Application Works
A major point applicants should understand is that applying through the CSC online system is only part of the process.
Applicants must also apply through an approved nominating agency. The CSC does not accept direct applications outside the approved nomination routes. There are therefore two important parts of the application process.
1. Apply Through the Commonwealth Online Application System
Applicants must complete and submit their scholarship application through the official CSC online application system.
The CSC does not accept applications or supporting documents submitted outside the designated online application system.
Applicants are strongly advised to begin the process early because the online system may experience increased traffic close to the deadline.
2. Apply Through a Nominating Agency
In addition to the CSC application, candidates must apply to the relevant nominating agency in their country or through another eligible nominating route.
For Master’s scholarships, nominating routes may include:
- National nominating agencies
- Selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies
For PhD scholarships, available routes may include:
- National nominating agencies
- Selected universities or university bodies that can nominate eligible academic staff
- Selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies
The applicable nominating agency will assess candidates according to its own requirements before forwarding selected nominations to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
Applicants should therefore check the requirements and application process of the relevant nominating agency in addition to the CSC requirements.
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Required Supporting Documents
Applicants will need to provide supporting documents as part of the application.
These may include:
- Proof of citizenship or eligible status in a Commonwealth country
- A copy of a valid passport or other acceptable evidence of identity
- Complete academic transcripts covering all higher education qualifications
- Current transcripts for programmes still in progress, where applicable
- Certified translations for documents that are not in English
- References from at least two individuals
References should be submitted in the required format, such as PDF, and should be signed and provided on institutional letterhead or through an email that clearly identifies the referee.
Applicants should pay particular attention to their academic transcripts. Missing pages or incomplete transcripts can result in an application being considered ineligible.
Choosing Your UK University and Course
Applicants are expected to identify an appropriate university and eligible course for their intended postgraduate study.
Candidates should not choose a university or course simply because it is popular. The programme should be relevant to their academic background, professional objectives and proposed contribution to development.
Useful resources for researching UK postgraduate programmes include:
- Study UK by the British Council
- UCAS Postgraduate
- Prospects
- Postgrad.com
- Discover Uni
- UKCISA
- Research Excellence Framework
Applicants should also review the official Commonwealth Scholarship guidance to ensure that their selected course and university meet the applicable scholarship requirements.
Advice for Applicants With a Lower GPA
Applicants who are concerned about their academic results should carefully research the entry requirements of their preferred UK universities.
University admission requirements can vary significantly, so having a lower GPA does not necessarily mean that every UK university will be unsuitable.
However, applicants must still meet the Commonwealth Scholarship’s academic and nomination requirements.
Candidates should therefore research universities and courses carefully and focus on programmes where their academic profile and experience are reasonably competitive.
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Eligible Countries for the Commonwealth Scholarship
The eligible countries listed for the scholarship include:
- Bangladesh
- Belize
- Botswana
- Cameroon
- Dominica
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guyana
- India
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Montserrat
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Papua New Guinea
- Rwanda
- Saint Helena
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
- Samoa
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
Applicants should always confirm the applicable eligible-country list and requirements on the official CSC website for the specific scholarship cycle before applying.
Commonwealth Scholarship 2027/28 Deadline
The stated application deadline for the Commonwealth Scholarship 2027/28 is October 20, 2026 for both the Master’s and PhD routes. Applicants should not wait until the final day to submit their applications.
In addition to the CSC deadline, applicants must check the deadline set by their nominating agency, as the nominating agency may have an earlier closing date.
This is particularly important because a candidate can miss the opportunity if they complete only the CSC application but fail to complete the required nomination process.
How to Apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship 2027/28
Interested applicants should first review the official scholarship requirements and identify the appropriate nominating route.
Applicants must then complete the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s online application and follow the relevant nomination process.
Apply for Commonwealth Scholarship 2027/28 Master’s Scholarship
Apply for Commonwealth Scholarship 2027/28 PhD Scholarship
Applicants should use only official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission platforms and their recognised nominating agencies when submitting applications.
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Important Information for Nigerian Applicants
Nigerian applicants should pay particular attention to the nomination requirement.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission does not simply select candidates based on applications submitted directly to it. Applicants must follow an approved nomination route, and the relevant nominating agency may impose additional eligibility requirements or a separate deadline.
Therefore, before submitting your application, confirm:
- Your eligibility for the specific Master’s or PhD scholarship
- The appropriate nominating agency for your application
- The nominating agency’s own deadline
- The university and course requirements
- The required academic documents and references
- The official CSC application deadline
If you are a Nigerian graduate or professional with the academic background and development-focused career goals required for the programme, the Commonwealth Scholarship provides an opportunity to pursue a fully funded postgraduate education in the United Kingdom.
You can also check out Dailylight Channel Undergraduate Scholarship Category and Master’s Scholarship Programme for latest and ongoing scholarships you are eligible to apply and/or share it with someone you know.
