Commonwealth Scholarship from Sri Lanka: What to Finish Before 20 October
TL;DR: The Commonwealth Scholarship from Sri Lanka for a UK master's opens with 10 master's nominations and 6 PhD nominations for the next round. You apply online through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) portal by 20 October at 4:00 PM UK time, which is 8:30 PM in Colombo. You need a four-year bachelor's degree at SLQF 6 with a First or Second Class Upper. It covers tuition, flights and a monthly living allowance.
A fully funded UK master's is on the table for a small number of graduates this year, and the application portal closes on 20 October. Here is who qualifies, what the award pays for, and what you should finish first.
Not sure whether your degree and results fit a funded UK master's? Check your eligibility with Prosper.
What the Commonwealth Scholarship covers
The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship is funded by the UK government and run by the CSC. According to the CSC, each award provides:
- full tuition fees
- an approved return airfare between your home country and the UK
- a living allowance of £1,712 a month, or £2,000 a month in London
- a study travel grant
- a child allowance where it applies
Study starts in September or October next year. The CSC says it does not accept direct applications. You apply through your national nominating agency, which then nominates its shortlist to the CSC.
Who can apply
This is where many graduates fall out. The Sri Lanka notice for this round, as reported by the Sunday Times, asks for:
| Requirement | Master's | PhD |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | Four years minimum, SLQF 6 | Four years minimum, SLQF 6 |
| Class | First or Second Class Upper | First or Second Class Upper |
| Awarding body | UGC-recognised university | UGC-recognised university |
| Master's degree | Not needed | SLQF 9, 10 or 11 in a relevant field |
| Nominations this round | 10 | 6 |
Nominations are limited, so meeting the minimum is only the first step. The nominating agency nominates only a shortlist to the CSC.
Want a view on which UK master's courses fit your degree before you apply?
Two rules that decide most applications
A three-year degree does not meet the rule. A three-year general degree sits below SLQF 6, so it does not qualify, even with a strong class. If that is your degree, this scholarship is not your route this year, and a self-funded or university-funded master's may be.
Your plan must serve your home country. The CSC selects on merit, the quality of your study plan and its potential impact on your home country's development. Every application must fit one of six themes: science and technology for development, improving population health, health systems and capacity, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, strengthening peace, security and governance, and strengthening resilience and response to crises.
What to finish before 20 October
The CSC portal closes at 4:00 PM UK time on Tuesday 20 October, which is 8:30 PM in Colombo. Do not leave the final upload for the last evening.
- Choose three UK courses. The CSC asks you to list three universities and courses in order of preference. Pick courses that link clearly to your theme and your work at home.
- Apply to those universities as well. The CSC expects you to apply for admission yourself. A scholarship without an offer does not get you to the UK.
- Write your development case. Explain what you will study, why it matters for your home country and what you will do with it when you return. Be specific about the problem, the sector and your role.
- Collect your documents. Keep your degree certificate, transcripts and references ready in clear scans.
- Prepare for a nomination interview. Check the current notice for this year's steps.
If you are also looking at other funding, our guide to the Chevening Scholarship from Sri Lanka covers a different award with an earlier deadline.
What happens after you apply
The nominating agency nominates candidates to the CSC. The CSC then makes its own selection and says applicants will hear by July next year. That leaves a long wait, so keep a self-funded option open in parallel. If you do receive an award, you will still need a Student visa, and our guide to the UK student visa credibility interview explains one step some applicants face.
Applying from Sri Lanka
- The national nominating agency is the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education. It has called for applications, as the Sunday Times reported on 27 September, and it nominates its shortlist to the CSC by December.
- You must be a Sri Lankan citizen with a degree from a UGC-recognised Sri Lankan university. This round offers 10 master's nominations and 6 PhD nominations for Sri Lanka.
- Your study plan must show its potential impact on Sri Lanka's development and link to your work in Sri Lanka. The approved return airfare is between Sri Lanka and the UK.
- In last year's round, the Ministry shortlisted eligible candidates by a grading system and interviewed them in Colombo before nominating.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship from Sri Lanka? Applicants with a four-year bachelor's degree at SLQF 6, with a First or Second Class Upper, from a UGC-recognised university. PhD applicants also need a relevant master's degree.
What is the deadline for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship? 4:00 PM UK time on 20 October, which is 8:30 PM in Colombo, through the CSC online portal.
Does the Commonwealth Scholarship cover living costs? Yes. The CSC pays £1,712 a month, or £2,000 a month in London, as well as tuition, return flights and a study travel grant.
Can I apply with a three-year degree? No. The notice asks for a four-year degree at SLQF 6 or above.
How many candidates are nominated? This round offers 10 master's nominations and 6 PhD nominations.
PS: A scholarship application is only as strong as the three courses behind it. Lasantha holds a UK master's from Staffordshire University, and Prosper applies to two or three carefully matched universities for each student. That same discipline suits the CSC's three-course list. If you want help choosing UK courses that fit your degree, your theme and your plans back home, check your eligibility with Prosper and we will go through the options with you.
References
Commonwealth Master's Scholarships, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK. https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/ (accessed 29/09/2026)
UK Commonwealth Scholarship: Ministry calls for applications from post-grad candidates, The Sunday Times Sri Lanka, 27 September 2026. https://www.sundaytimes.lk/260927/education/uk-commonwealth-scholarship-ministry-calls-for-applications-from-post-grad-candidates-658103.html (accessed 29/09/2026)
Commonwealth Master's and Doctoral Scholarships tenable in the UK, 2026 notice, Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education. https://www.mohe.gov.lk/images/pdf/Commonwealth_Web_Notice-2026_-_edited_on_10082025.pdf (accessed 29/09/2026)
