Commonwealth Scholarships 2027 Sri Lanka: UK Master’s & PhD Guide

The Commonwealth Scholarships Sri Lanka call for 2027 closed on 20 October 2026. Sri Lankan graduates can apply for a fully funded one-year Master’s or a three-year PhD at a UK university. The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education published its notice on 23 September 2026, and online applications close on 20 October 2026. Here is who can apply, what you need, and the exact steps.

Commonwealth Scholarships Sri Lanka 2027: who can apply

All applicants

• Must be a citizen of Sri Lanka.
• Should be in good health and ready to live in the UK for the study period.
• Qualifications must be completed on or before 20 October 2026.
• The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) also asks that you are permanently resident in Sri Lanka, are available to start in September 2027, and are unable to afford UK study without the scholarship.

Master’s applicants

• A 4-year (minimum duration) Bachelor’s degree (SLQF 6) with a First Class or Second Class Upper Division, in the relevant field, from a UGC-recognised university in Sri Lanka.
• The scholarship is for one-year taught Master’s programmes only.

PhD applicants

• The same Bachelor’s requirement as above, plus a Master’s degree (SLQF 9, 10 or 11) in the relevant field from a recognised university.
• You should not be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK or Sri Lankan university before September/October 2026 (wording as in the Ministry notice).
• You need a supporting statement from a proposed UK supervisor at one of the universities named in your application.

Study themes

Your study plan should fit one of the six CSC development themes listed in the notice:

• Science and technology for development
• Improving population health, health systems and capacity
• Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship
• Strengthening peace, security and governance
• Strengthening resilience and response to crises
• Access, inclusion and opportunity

What the scholarship covers

According to the CSC scholarship pages (updated 29 September 2026):

• Approved return airfare between Sri Lanka and the UK
• Approved tuition fees
• A monthly stipend of £1,712, or £2,000 at universities in the London metropolitan area
• A study travel grant, plus child allowance where eligible (PhD awards also include fieldwork provisions)

Documents to upload

• Proof of Sri Lankan citizenship
• Transcripts for all university qualifications (with a certified English translation if they are not in English)
• At least two references, on letterhead and signed
• PhD only: supporting statement from your proposed UK supervisor

How to apply: step by step

1. Read the Ministry notice and the CSC page for your level (links below).
2. Pick the UK universities and courses you will list on the CSC form. For Master’s, check that each one is a one-year taught course.
3. Create an account on the CSC online application system from the CSC scholarship page. The CSC does not accept direct applications, so your application goes through the Sri Lankan nominating body named in the notice.
4. Upload your citizenship proof, transcripts, references and (PhD) supervisor statement.
5. Submit before 4:00 pm UK time on 20 October 2026.
6. If shortlisted, attend the interview at the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Higher Education Division), No. 18, Ward Place, Colombo 07.

Bring these to the interview

• Original certificates proving your qualifications
• University placement letter (if you already have one)
• Two referee reports
• Birth certificate
• National Identity Card or passport
• Any other documents that support your application

Travel and other costs for the interview are not paid.

BrightNook tips

1. Use the earlier time. The CSC page gives the deadline as 16:00 BST and the Ministry notice says 16:00 GMT. To be safe, finish by 8:30 pm Sri Lanka time on 20 October, and aim for a few days earlier in case the site is slow.
2. Check your degree first. The Ministry notice asks for a 4-year (minimum) SLQF 6 degree with a First or Second Upper. If your degree is shorter or your class is lower, confirm with the Ministry before spending time on the form.
3. Ask referees this week. References must be on letterhead and signed. Lecturers are busy in October, so give them your CV, course choices and the deadline in one message.
4. PhD: email UK supervisors now. The supervisor statement is required, and replies can take a week or more. Send a short research summary that links to one of the six themes.
5. Link your plan to Sri Lanka. The scholarships are built around development themes. Explain clearly how your course will help your field, institution or community at home.

FAQ

Can I apply with a 3-year general degree?
The Ministry notice asks for a 4-year (minimum duration) Bachelor’s degree at SLQF 6. If you are unsure whether your degree meets this, check with the Ministry’s Higher Education Division before applying.

Can I apply for a two-year Master’s?
No. The CSC Master’s scholarship supports one-year taught Master’s programmes only.

Is there an age limit?
Not stated in the official notice – check with the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education.

Do I need a UK university offer before applying?
Not stated as a requirement in the notice. You bring a placement letter to the interview only if you already have one.

Who pays for travel to the interview?
You do. The notice says interview travel and other expenses will not be paid.

Official sources

• Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education – Commonwealth Master’s and Doctoral Scholarships 2027 notice (PDF, 23.09.2026)
• CSC – Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
• CSC – Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for Least Developed Countries and Vulnerable States