Commonwealth Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded UK Master's & PhD

The Commonwealth Scholarship is the UK government's fully funded award for students from Commonwealth countries who cannot otherwise afford a British degree. For Pakistani graduates it pays tuition, airfare and a monthly living allowance for a one-year taught master's or a three-year PhD. This guide explains the 2027-28 cycle, why it matters now, and how to prepare for the next round.

Important: the 2027-28 cycle is already closed

Applications for the 2027-28 Commonwealth Scholarship opened on 8 September 2026 and closed on 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) portal. Pakistani applicants also had to apply on the Higher Education Commission (HEC) portal by 4:00 PM Pakistan time on the same day. If you missed that deadline, you cannot apply for 2027 entry. The value of this guide is in the preparation: the 2028-29 cycle is expected to follow the same pattern, opening around September 2027, and the work you do now decides whether you are ready.

What the scholarship covers

• Full tuition fees, paid through an agreement between the CSC and your UK university. You pay none of it.
• Approved return airfare to the UK at the start and end of your award.
• A monthly living allowance of £1,712, or £2,000 in the London metropolitan area.
• A study travel grant for study-related travel inside the UK or overseas.
• Family allowances where they apply — the CSC says these are only a contribution towards family costs, and scholars must be able to top them up.
• Additional support for scholars with disabilities, where applicable.

It is a genuinely fully funded award. Unlike Chevening, which is also fully funded, the Commonwealth route is aimed specifically at students from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries, and it is administered through a nominating agency in your own country.

Who can apply (Pakistan route)

• You must be a Pakistani or AJ&K national and resident in Pakistan.
• You must hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) standard, or a second-class degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification.
• You must not be able to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
• You must apply for a one-year taught master's or a full-time PhD. MBA programmes and research-based master's degrees are not funded.
• You must apply through both portals: the CSC's own online system and the HEC scholarship portal. Applying on one portal only means your application is incomplete.

The HEC route, step by step

For the 2027-28 cycle, HEC had 26 nomination slots for master's degrees and 30 for PhD, and the final decision belongs to the CSC. The process was:

1. Check eligibility and choose a course. Pick a full-time taught master's or PhD at a participating UK university. Your course must start in September or October 2027.
2. Take the HAT test. HEC ranks candidates on the Higher Education Aptitude Test, with a minimum score of 60 out of 100 in categories one to four.
3. Apply on the HEC portal (scholarship.hec.gov.pk) before the deadline — 4:00 PM Pakistan time on 20 October 2026 for the 2027-28 cycle.
4. Apply on the CSC portal (CSC Central) before 16:00 BST the same day.
5. Wait for nomination. HEC nominates its shortlist to the CSC, and the CSC makes the final selection. Selection for the 2027-28 cycle is expected to be announced in 2027.

How to prepare for the 2028-29 cycle

1. Start now, not in September 2027. The application window is about six weeks. Everything else — your course choice, your references, your statement — should be ready before it opens.
2. Prepare for the HAT. A score below 60 out of 100 ends your application. Practise the HAT format and sit a mock test months in advance.
3. Choose your UK course carefully. The CSC funds courses that match its development themes. A course with a clear development impact on Pakistan — public health, education, climate, engineering — is a stronger fit than a generic business degree.
4. Line up three referees now. Two should be academic. Tell them early, give them your CV and statement, and confirm they will respond quickly.
5. Write your statement around impact. The CSC funds people who will return and use their degree. Show what you have already done in Pakistan and what you will do next — not just that you want a UK degree.

Commonwealth vs Chevening — which fits you?

Both cycles are closed for 2027 entry. If you are a recent graduate without work experience, the Commonwealth route is usually the better fit. If you have two or more years of work experience, apply to both next year.

FAQ

Is the Commonwealth Scholarship really fully funded? Yes. It covers approved tuition fees, return airfare, a monthly living allowance and a study travel grant. Family allowances are only a contribution, so budget extra if your family travels with you.

Can I apply directly to the CSC? No. You must apply through the CSC online system and obtain a nomination from an approved nominating agency — for Pakistan, that is HEC. Direct applications are not accepted.

What HAT score do I need? HEC requires a minimum of 60 out of 100 in HAT categories one to four. In practice, the nominated candidates score well above the minimum.

Does it fund undergraduate study? No. The Commonwealth Scholarship is for postgraduate study only — a one-year taught master's or a PhD.

Figures checked 2026-11-05: 2027-28 cycle opened 8 September 2026 and closed 20 October 2026 (CSC 16:00 BST; HEC 4:00 PM PKT); stipend £1,712 a month (£2,000 in the London metropolitan area); HEC nomination slots 26 master's + 30 PhD; HAT minimum 60 out of 100; no MBA or research master's funding. The 2028-29 cycle has not been announced yet — confirm dates on the CSC and HEC websites when it opens.

Related guides on Pakunii

Fully Funded Scholarships 2027 · UCAS Application Guide 2027 · IELTS Academic Guide · FAFSA 2027-28 Guide

Sources and verification: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission 2027/28 guidance; HEC announcement for 2027-28 (checked September–October 2026).