Commonwealth Opens Fully Funded Scholarships for Kenyans and Others: How to Apply

Kenyans and other eligible Commonwealth citizens can now apply for the Commonwealth Scholarships for the 2027/28 academic year, opening fully funded opportunities to pursue postgraduate studies at approved universities in the United Kingdom.

Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships target talented candidates who may not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

The programme seeks to equip scholars with knowledge and skills that can contribute to sustainable development in their home countries.

“Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK,” the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission states.

Who Can Apply for the Commonwealth Scholarships?

Applications for the Commonwealth Scholarships opened on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and will close at 4:00 pm BST on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

Successful scholars will begin their studies in September or October 2027.

For Kenyan candidates, the CSC requires applicants to apply through a nominating agency in addition to submitting an application through its online system.

National nominating agencies provide the main route, while selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies can also nominate candidates.

To qualify, candidates must:

• Be citizens or refugees of an eligible Commonwealth country or British Protected Persons.
• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be available to begin studies in the UK in September 2027.
• Hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard by September 2027.
• Hold a lower second-class degree alongside a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master’s degree.
• Demonstrate that they cannot afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
• Provide all required supporting documents.

Also Read: Russia Announces Scholarships for Kenyans and International Students with Stipends

Importantly, the programme does not impose an age limit, allowing eligible candidates to apply regardless of their age.

“There is no age limit for CSC applications. Applicants are advised to confirm with their employers any age restrictions on leave entitlement they may have in place,” the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission states.

A photo of students graduating. PHOTO/NPU

What the Commonwealth Scholarships Cover

Successful scholars will receive financial support throughout their one-year taught Master’s programmes in the UK.

Among the benefits, the Commonwealth Scholarships provide:

• Approved return airfare to and from the UK.
• Full approved tuition fees.
• A monthly stipend of £1,712 (Ksh 300,028) for scholars studying outside London.
• A monthly stipend of £2,000 (Ksh 350,500) for those studying in London.
• Study travel grants where applicable.
• Child allowance for eligible widowed, divorced or single parents with children under 16 living with them.

Additionally, the CSC funds one-year taught Master’s programmes but does not fund MBA degrees.

Candidates who have already studied at Master’s level at a UK institution or previously received a Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship cannot apply.

Required Documents 

Before applying, candidates should prepare all supporting documents to avoid disqualification over incomplete submissions. Applicants need:

• Proof of citizenship or refugee status, such as a valid passport or national ID showing a photograph, date of birth and citizenship.
• Full transcripts covering all higher education qualifications.
• Up-to-date transcripts for any course currently being studied.
• Certified translations where documents are not in English.
• At least two references uploaded in PDF format.
• Signed references on institutional letterhead or emails that clearly identify the sender.

For transcripts, the CSC states, “Where any transcripts are missing or do not include all pages, the application will be considered ineligible.”

Also Read: Fully Funded UK Master’s Scholarships Open to Kenyan Graduates in 2027: How to Apply

How to Apply

To apply, candidates must submit their applications through the CSC Central online application system.

The commission does not accept direct applications for these agency-nominated scholarships.

Furthermore, candidates must apply to a participating nominator, which may impose its own eligibility requirements and deadline. Nominators will then forward their selected candidates to the CSC for consideration.

Candidates can access the official Commonwealth Scholarships application information through: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/masters.

“The CSC does not accept direct applications for these scholarships,” the CSC states.

Meanwhile, applicants should apply separately for admission to their preferred UK universities because universities may set different admission deadlines.

Candidates can list up to three preferred universities and courses, although the CSC makes the final decision.

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Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba during the 10th Graduation Ceremony of Machakos University held on November 7, 2025, where he presided over the event. PHOTO/MoE