Commonwealth Scholarships: Study a Master’s or PhD in the United Kingdom
Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) is a nominating agency for the UK’s Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). If you’re aiming for postgraduate study in the UK starting September 2027, here’s what the opportunity involves and how to be considered for FAWE’s nomination.
CSC APPLICATIONS OPEN: 8 Sep 2026
CANDIDATE APPLICATION DEADLINE: 20 Oct 2026
What’s on offer
Fully funded Commonwealth Scholarships for Master’s and PhD study at UK universities, for the academic year starting September 2027. FAWE can put forward a limited number of nominations to the CSC each cycle. Being nominated is the first step, not a guarantee of an award. The CSC typically receives around three times more nominations than it can fund.
Who should apply
Commonwealth Scholarships exist for people who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. Every applicant must declare they have no independent means to fund UK study. Full eligibility (nationality, qualifications, experience) differs for Master’s and PhD study, so check the official criteria before applying:
How candidates are judged
The CSC’s selection panel grades every application against three things:
- Candidate merit; academic record and leadership experience
- Quality of the study plan; how well thought-through the proposed course or research is
- Potential impact back home; how clearly the study connects to development in the candidate’s home country.
Your personal statement is where you make that home-country link explicit, it’s read closely by the panel, even though it isn’t separately scored.
Documents to have ready
- Proof of citizenship or refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country
- All university academic transcripts
- At least two references, on letterhead and signed
- A supporting statement from a UK supervisor (PhD applicants only)
Everything must be attached at the time of online submission. The CSC does not accept late documents or hard copies by post. An incomplete application is an ineligible one.
How to get nominated by FAWE
Nomination has to come through FAWE, so reach out before the CSC’s own deadline, the earlier the better, since we need time to review candidates internally ahead of 20 October 2026. Get in touch and we’ll walk you through FAWE’s internal process and dates.
Good to know: being nominated by FAWE Uganda does not guarantee CSC selection or a scholarship and please don’t contact the CSC directly about your nomination status; that goes through FAWE.
