Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships

The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) is an international programme under which member governments offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other Commonwealth countries. The CSFP was established at the first Commonwealth education conference in 1959, and over 26,000 individuals have benefited.

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom (CSC) is responsible for managing the United Kingdom’s contribution to the CSFP.

CSC awards over 800 scholarships and fellowships for postgraduate study and professional development to Commonwealth citizens each year. Awards in the UK are funded by the Department for International Development, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Department for Education (DFE), in conjunction with UK universities.

The CSC makes available the following types of awards

• Scholarships for Master’s and PhD study at a UK university

• Split-site Scholarships for split-site PhD study at a UK university

• Shared Scholarships for Master’s study at selected UK universities

•  Distance Learning Scholarships to study UK Master’s degree courses in your home country

• Rutherford Fellowships  for early career academics to spend time at a UK university

• Professional Fellowships for mid-career professionals to spend time at a UK host organisation

• Medical Fellowships for doctors and dentists to spend time at a UK hospital

The scholarships and fellowships cover most costs associated with your study/time in the UK. This can include, where appropriate, return airfares, tuition fees, maintenance costs, study and other allowances. The terms and conditions of each type of scholarship and fellowship vary. More information is available on the CSC website

Commonwealth Scholarships for Master’s and PhD study are available for postgraduate study at any UK university which has a funding agreement with the CSC. Awards are not limited to specific courses, but candidates must be able to demonstrate that their proposed study will develop leadership potential (for candidates from developed Commonwealth countries) or have a development impact on their home countries (for candidates from developing Commonwealth countries).

Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships support candidates who are undertaking PhD study at a university in their home country to spend up to one year at a UK university as part of their academic work. 

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are offered to developing country students who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK, for specific Master’s degree courses.

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships allow developing country students to study UK Master’s degree courses while living in their own countries. The scholarships are available for specific courses selected by the CSC on the basis of their quality and relevance to development.

Commonwealth Scholarships are also available for undergraduate study for citizens of the Falkland Islands, the Maldives, St Helena and the Seychelles only.

Commonwealth Academic Fellowships provide mid-career staff in developing country universities with the opportunity to network and update knowledge and skills related to their academic subject and responsibilities.

Commonwealth Professional Fellowships offer mid-career professionals from developing Commonwealth countries the opportunity to spend a period (typically three months) with a UK host organisation working in a relevant field.

The eligibility criteria for each type of scholarship and fellowship vary. More information is available on the CSC website.

The application process for each type of scholarship and fellowship varies. More information is available on the CSC website.

To help you prepare for your study abroad, we can provide information on the UK, and help you with specially-created information packs and pre-departure briefings before you leave for your studies.

If your scholarship or fellowship is awarded for study in the UK, you will be funded to live in the UK for the period of your study. During this time, you will be able to work part-time (no more than twenty hours per week), or full-time during the academic holidays. For more information on working while you study in the UK, please visit the Education UK website.

You will not be able to work permanently in the UK once your course is finished. You are expected to return to your country, where you can put your new skills and experience into practice.

More information

For more information on Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships in the UK, please visit the CSC website.