The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK has opened applications for the 2025/26 Commonwealth Master’s and PhD Scholarships. Since 1960, the CSC has supported more than 30,000 individuals, using education as a powerful pathway for development and change. At HALI Access Network, we’re proud to continue our partnership with the CSC in supporting talented young leaders from Africa to access quality graduate education and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world.

From the 2024/25 cycle, we are proud to share that 5 HALI Access Network nominees were selected for the Commonwealth Scholarships, 2 for Master’s programs and 3 for PhD studies.

What’s Next?

Applications for the 2025/26 cycle will open on 2nd September and close on 14th October 2025. We encourage all member organizations to begin identifying and supporting strong candidates for this opportunity.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for these scholarships, you must:

  • Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
  • Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
  • Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2026
  • By September 2026, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, OR a second-class degree (2:2) and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree). The CSC would not normally fund a second UK Master’s degree. If you are applying for a second UK Master’s degree, you will need to provide justification as to why you wish to undertake this study
  • Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
  • Provide full transcripts detailing all your higher education qualifications including to-date transcripts for any qualifications you are currently studying (with certified translations if not in English) – uploaded to the online application system
  • Provide references from at least two individuals.

For PhD candidates only:

  • NOT be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university or in your home country before September/October 2026
  • Provide a supporting statement from a proposed supervisor in the UK from at least one of the institutions named on your application form. 

Agency Selection Criteria

The HALI Access Network will only nominate applicants already affiliated with one of our member organizations. All potential nominees must be submitted to the network by our member organizations. Applicants without prior affiliation with a HALI member organization cannot apply to become a member of the network to gain a nomination.

How to apply

Candidates must apply using the CSC’s online application system, which can be found on the CSC website. Each scholarship has a ‘How to apply’ section, which will have information and guidance on the application process and the link to the online application system. The CSC is unable to accept any applications that are not submitted via the online application system or after the closing date listed above.

For more information, please contact the HALI Member Organization you are affiliated with. All the best!