Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship, UK 2026
Scholarship Amount
About This Scholarship
The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship, UK 2026, offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), UK, in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India, is designed for students aspiring to pursue full-time Master’s degree courses starting from September/October 2026 at a UK University. This scholarship aims to empower talented and motivated individuals to acquire the knowledge and skills vital for sustainable development, thereby fostering their academic journey.
Selected candidates will benefit from comprehensive financial support including:
• Full tuition fees coverage.
• A generous stipend (living allowance) of up to GBP 1,781 per month.
• Round-trip airfare to and from the UK.
• A warm clothing allowance (if applicable).
• A study travel grant to support academic activities.
• Child allowances for eligible widowed, divorced, or single parents (GBP 622 per month for the first child, and GBP 154 per month for the second and third child under 16 years).
Note: If a candidate shares they have a disability, a comprehensive assessment of their needs and eligibility for additional financial support will be provided by the CSC.
The scholarships are offered under six key themes, aligning with global development priorities:
• Science and technology for development.
• Strengthening health systems and capacity.
• Promoting global prosperity.
• Strengthening global peace, security and governance.
• Strengthening resilience and response to crises.
• Access, inclusion and opportunity.
Selection of applicants will be meticulously based on several crucial factors:
• The candidate's outstanding academic merit.
• The quality and relevance of the proposed plan of study.
• The potential impact their studies will have on the development of their home country.
The application deadline for this prestigious scholarship is 14 October 2026 (16:00 GMT).
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship, an applicant must meet the following criteria:
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of India.
• Be available to commence their academic studies in the UK by September 2026.
• Not be able to financially afford to study in the UK without the support of this scholarship.
• Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours, or a second class degree (2:2) along with a relevant postgraduate qualification, by September 2026.
Important Notes:
• Students from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) must demonstrate an annual family income of less than or equal to ₹4,50,000.
• Scholarships are tenable at any approved UK university or higher education institution that has a part-funding agreement with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) for a specific programme of study. The comprehensive list of these institutions is accessible at: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/uk-universities.
• Candidates who have previously studied or trained abroad for a period exceeding six months, either on scholarships or independently, are eligible to apply. However, it is a requirement that they must have been in India for at least two consecutive years as of 10th September 2025, following their return from abroad.
Required Documents
To complete your application for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship, please prepare and upload the following required documents:
• An admission letter or official proof of application/acceptance from a UK university.
• A valid passport.
• A copy of the CSC OAS application form (in PDF format).
• Official academic transcripts of all higher education qualifications obtained to date.
• A minimum of two robust reference letters.
Note:
• All academic transcripts must be officially translated into English if their original language is not English.
• The reference letters should be submitted in PDF format, clearly signed, and presented on institutional letterhead. Alternatively, an email clearly displaying the sender’s details can be accepted as proof of reference.
How to Apply
Eligible applicants can apply for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship by following these detailed steps:
1. Locate and click on the 'Apply Now' button, which is typically available on the scholarship's official website.
2. Proceed to click the 'Register' button and accurately fill in all the necessary registration details as prompted.
• Note: If you have already registered on the portal previously, you may simply log in using your registered Gmail account, Mobile number, or Email ID.
3. Click 'Register' again and provide all the required details to successfully register on the Sakshat scholarship portal.
4. After completing the successful registration process, navigate to the portal and click on the 'Online Application Form' specifically designated for the Commonwealth Scholarship.
5. Carefully fill in all the required details in the application form, ensuring accuracy. Subsequently, upload all the necessary supporting documents as specified in the requirements. Once all information and documents are provided, submit your application.