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Nepali citizens cannot apply for Commonwealth Scholarships. The awards, run by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK, are for citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries, and Nepal is not a Commonwealth member. Chevening and UK university scholarships are the realistic options for Nepali students. House of Admissions (HOA) gives free guidance from Kathmandu and Pokhara.

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Quick answer

No. Commonwealth Master's and PhD Scholarships are only for citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries, and Nepal has never been a Commonwealth member. Nepali students should look at Chevening and university scholarships.

Scholarships 4 min read

Commonwealth Scholarship and Nepal: Eligibility Explained

Commonwealth Scholarships are among the best-known UK awards, and many Nepali students are told they can apply through a nominating body in Nepal. They cannot. Here is why, and what to apply for instead.

Rahul Chhetri Director, House of Admissions • Putalisadak, Kathmandu
Last updated:

Eligibility checked on 20 October 2026 against the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's Master's Scholarships page.

Student reading a letter at a desk

Commonwealth Scholarships and Nepal: key facts

Open to Nepali citizens?
NoNepal is not a member of the CommonwealthCommonwealth Master's Scholarships
Who runs them
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UKFunded by the UK government (FCDO)
Who can apply
Citizens of eligible Commonwealth countriesThrough a national nominating body or a UK university
What a Master's award covers
Fees, flights and a stipendStipend £1,712 a month, or £2,000 in London
Fully funded alternative for Nepal
CheveningNext round usually opens August 2027Chevening application timeline
Most available alternative
University merit awardsUsually tuition discounts

What Are Commonwealth Scholarships?

Commonwealth Scholarships are run by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) and funded by the UK government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. They fund master’s and PhD study in the UK for people from eligible Commonwealth countries, usually applying through a nominating body in their own country.

A Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship covers tuition, return flights and a monthly stipend of £1,712 (£2,000 in London), plus some allowances. CSC, 2026

Why Nepal Is Not Eligible

Eligibility follows citizenship of an eligible Commonwealth country. Nepal has never been a member of the Commonwealth, so Nepali citizens are not eligible for CSC scholarships, including the Master’s, PhD and Shared Scholarship schemes.

Old advice is wrong. Earlier versions of this page, and some agency sites, said Nepali students could be nominated “via UGC”. No Nepali body nominates for Commonwealth Scholarships, because Nepal is not on the eligible list.

The confusion is understandable: Nepal has close ties with the UK and with Commonwealth neighbours such as India and Bangladesh, and the word “Commonwealth” appears in many scholarship lists. Check the CSC page for the current list of eligible countries.

What Nepali Students Can Apply For Instead

OptionOpen to Nepali citizens?Best for
CheveningYesGraduates with at least two years of work experience who plan to return to Nepal
University merit scholarshipsUsually yesApplicants with strong grades; many awards are automatic
Early payment discountsWhere offeredFamilies able to pay the first year in full
GREAT ScholarshipsNo (2026/27)Not available to Nepal this round
Commonwealth ScholarshipsNoCitizens of eligible Commonwealth countries only

If You Also Hold a Commonwealth Citizenship

Eligibility depends on the citizenship you apply with and, for most schemes, where you live. A student who is a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country, and meets the residence rules, applies through that country’s nominating body. Living or studying in Nepal does not make you eligible.

Planning Your Funding Without It

Most Nepali master’s students fund their degree through a combination of family savings, a Nepali bank education loan and a university scholarship. Plan the visa funds early: you must show tuition owed plus living costs, held for 28 consecutive days. See the 28-day rule guide.

If your goal is a fully funded award, prepare for Chevening: build up 2,800 hours of work experience, and use the months before August to draft your essays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

Every source below was checked on 20 October 2026. Rules and fees change; the official pages are the authority.

  1. Commonwealth Master's Scholarships (Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK), eligible countries and benefits
  2. Chevening application timeline (Chevening (FCDO)), 2027/28 dates
  3. Chevening eligibility (Chevening (FCDO))
  4. GREAT Scholarships (British Council), country list for 2026/27