Commonwealth Scholarship 2027/2028: FG Opens Application for Nigerian Students

The Federal Government of Nigeria has opened the nomination exercise for the 2027/2028 Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) for qualified Nigerian graduates seeking postgraduate study in the United Kingdom.

The Federal Ministry of Education is inviting eligible Nigerian university graduates to apply for the scholarship nomination exercise. The available opportunities include one-year taught Master’s programs and PhD study of up to three years, subject to the specific scholarship category and university.

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) confirms that applications for the 2027/28 academic year opened on September 8, 2026, with applications due by 4:00 p.m. BST on October 20, 2026. The scholarships are for study in the UK beginning in September or October 2027.

What Is the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan?

The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) provides postgraduate study opportunities for citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries.

The scholarships are funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and are designed to support talented graduates whose studies can contribute to development in their home countries. The CSC says the awards are aimed at candidates who may not otherwise be able to afford to study in the UK.

Nigeria is among the countries eligible for the Commonwealth Master’s and PhD scholarship schemes.

Commonwealth Scholarship 2027/28 Categories

For the Nigerian nomination exercise, applicants can pursue postgraduate study under the relevant Commonwealth scholarship category.

Master’s Scholarship

The Master’s route is for candidates seeking to undertake a full-time taught Master’s program at a UK university.

The CSC’s current eligibility rules require applicants to hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) standard, or a lower second-class degree together with a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master’s degree.

The Federal Ministry of Education’s Nigerian nomination requirements should also be checked carefully because the national nomination process can include requirements in addition to the CSC’s general eligibility rules.

PhD Scholarship

The PhD route supports candidates undertaking doctoral study in the UK.

The CSC states that applicants must meet the academic requirements and demonstrate the potential to undertake research with developmental impact. PhD applicants also have to apply through an approved nominating route.

The Nigerian nomination notice also requires PhD candidates to provide a supporting statement from a prospective supervisor at a chosen UK institution.

Who Can Apply?

The scholarship is intended for qualified Nigerian graduates who meet the academic and other requirements for their chosen category.

For the Nigerian nomination exercise, applicants should have:

• A qualifying university degree for the Master’s category.
• A relevant Master’s degree where required for the PhD category.
• The required class of degree.
• Admission from eligible UK institutions.
• Evidence of NYSC discharge or exemption, where required by the Nigerian nomination process.
• A supporting statement from a prospective UK supervisor for PhD applicants.

Applicants should check both the Federal Ministry of Education’s requirements and the specific CSC requirements for their scholarship category before submitting an application.

The CSC also states that each nominating agency can have its own eligibility requirements and application deadline.

UK Admission Is Important

Applicants should not treat the Commonwealth scholarship application as a replacement for university admission.

The Nigerian nomination notice requires candidates to have admission into at least two UK institutions. PhD applicants must also provide the required supporting statement from a prospective supervisor.

Applicants should therefore begin contacting suitable UK universities and departments early rather than waiting until the scholarship deadline.

The CSC also requires applicants to identify their preferred courses and institutions as part of the application process.

How to Apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship 2027/28

Applicants should complete the required online application through the CSC Central application system and follow the Nigerian nomination requirements issued by the Federal Ministry of Education.

The CSC says applications for the 2027/28 Master’s and PhD scholarships must be submitted through CSC Central. It does not accept applications or supporting documents sent outside its application system.

For the Nigerian nomination exercise, applicants should also follow the instructions provided by the Federal Ministry of Education and submit any documents required for the national nomination process.

Documents to Prepare

Applicants should prepare clear copies of relevant documents before completing the form.

These may include:

• University academic transcripts
• Degree certificates
• Passport photograph
• NYSC discharge or exemption certificate
• UK university admission letters
• Supporting statement from a prospective PhD supervisor, where applicable
• Birth certificate or other required identity documentation
• Official translations and evaluations for foreign certificates, where applicable

Do not upload documents simply because they appear on an unofficial checklist. Check the current instructions for your specific scholarship category before submitting.

Commonwealth Scholarship Application Deadline

For the 2027/2028 academic year, the CSC states that applications must be received by:

Deadline: October 20, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. BST

The scholarship is intended for study beginning in the UK in September or October 2027.

The Federal Ministry of Education may also set requirements or deadlines for its own nomination process. Applicants should therefore not wait until the CSC deadline if an earlier Nigerian nomination deadline applies.

What Areas of Study Are Relevant?

The Commonwealth scholarship is linked to development priorities, and applicants are expected to explain how their proposed study can contribute to development in their home country.

Relevant areas can include:

• Education
• Health
• Economic growth and the private sector
• Governance and conflict
• Climate and the environment
• Water and sanitation
• Engineering
• Science and technology
• Food and nutrition
• Humanitarian disasters and emergencies

Applicants should make a clear connection between their proposed course, their professional goals and the development needs they intend to address.

How Are Commonwealth Scholarship Applications Assessed?

The CSC says Commonwealth scholarship applications are assessed through criteria that include academic merit, development impact and the quality of the study plan.

This means applicants should pay attention to more than their academic qualifications.

Your application should clearly explain why the proposed course is relevant to your career, what you intend to gain from studying in the UK and how you expect to use the knowledge or skills after returning to your home country.

Is the Commonwealth Scholarship Application Free?

Applicants should be careful about anyone asking for money to guarantee a Commonwealth scholarship or nomination.

The scholarship application should be completed through the official application and nomination channels. The CSC does not accept direct applications for these scholarships outside its approved nominating routes.

Do not give your application login details, passwords or other sensitive information to agents claiming they can guarantee selection.

What Happens After Applying?

Submitting an application does not automatically mean that you will receive the scholarship.

For the PhD and Master’s schemes, applicants first go through the relevant nominating process. Nominating agencies put forward candidates to the CSC, after which final selections are made from the nomination pool. The CSC specifically states that being nominated does not guarantee selection.

The CSC expects applicants to receive the outcome of their applications by July 2027.

Official Commonwealth Scholarship Websites

Nigerian applicants should use official sources when checking the requirements, application form and updates.

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission:  CSC Commonwealth Scholarships Portal : https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/about-us/scholarships/

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships: Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships Portal : https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/ 

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships: Commonwealth PhD Scholarships Portal 

Federal Ministry of Education: Federal Ministry of Education Nigeria portal : https://education.gov.ng/

Before submitting, applicants should read the current instructions for their scholarship category and make sure every required document and nomination step has been completed.