Commonwealth Master's Scholarship
The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship is funded by the FCDO and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC). It targets candidates from low and middle income Commonwealth countries — Sri Lanka qualifies — who would otherwise be unable to afford a UK Master's. Awards cover tuition, return airfare, monthly stipend, and thesis grant.
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission UK
Government-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
Fully Funded
Duration
1-Year Taught Master's
Travel
Return Airfare Covered
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Citizenship
Citizen of (or granted refugee status by) an eligible Commonwealth country, and permanently resident there. Sri Lanka is on the eligible list as a low-middle income Commonwealth member.
Academic Standing
By the start of the UK academic year, hold a first degree of at least UK upper second-class (2:1) honours, or a lower-second plus a relevant Master's.
Demonstrable Financial Need
Must be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship — this is assessed and is central to the award rationale.
Availability
Available to start full-time study at the UK university by the start of the UK academic year (September 2026 for the current cycle).
account_tree Application Process
Apply via CSC online portal
Submit your application on the Electronic Application System (EAS) at cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk by the published October deadline. You apply directly to CSC, not the university first.
Nominating agency review
In Sri Lanka, applications are reviewed and nominated by the External Resources Department (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance. They forward shortlisted candidates to CSC by December.
Secure a UK university offer
You must hold (or apply for) an offer from a participating UK university for an eligible taught Master's programme. CSC matches successful candidates to courses on its priority list.
Results by July
Final outcomes from CSC are typically released in July, ahead of September enrolment.
Why the Commonwealth Scholarship?
Run since 1959, the Commonwealth Scholarship Plan is one of the largest South-North scholarship schemes in the world, with strong alumni networks across Asia and Africa.
~800
Awards per Year (all UK)
60+
Eligible Commonwealth Countries
1959
Programme Founded
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