Commonwealth Scholarship for Nepali StudentsFully Funded UK Master's & PhD 2026
The Commonwealth Scholarship is one of the most prestigious fully-funded scholarships available to Nepali students. Tuition paid by the UK government, monthly stipend, return airfare — everything covered. Here is how to apply from Nepal.
What the Commonwealth Scholarship Covers
Commonwealth Scholarship Eligibility for Nepali Students
To be eligible for Commonwealth Shared Scholarships from Nepal:
- Nepali citizen (Commonwealth member state)
- Hold a Bachelor's degree (at minimum 2nd class upper / equivalent 3.5+ GPA)
- Not have studied in a high-income country for more than 1 year
- Meet IELTS / English requirements for the specific UK university
- Apply through UGC Nepal (not directly to UK universities)
- Not for priority development countries for all Commonwealth categories (check CSC website for Nepal's eligible categories)
Application route: In Nepal, Commonwealth Scholarships are administered through the University Grants Commission (UGC) Nepal. Applications open December–February each year. Check ugcnepal.edu.np or cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk for current open applications.
Other UK Scholarships for Nepali Students
Beyond Commonwealth, HOA identifies these scholarships for every Nepali student application:
| Scholarship | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Chevening Scholarship | Fully funded 1-year Master's | UK Government — any university |
| GREAT Scholarship | £10,000+ tuition reduction | British Council + 50+ universities |
| University Merit Awards | £2,000–£5,000 per year | Automatic on high grades |
| HOA Scholarship Search | All available for your profile | Free search by HOA |
Commonwealth Scholarship for Nepali Students — FAQ
In Nepal, Commonwealth Scholarships are administered through the University Grants Commission (UGC) Nepal. You apply through UGC Nepal — not directly to UK universities. Applications open December–February each year for September intake. Check ugcnepal.edu.np for the current application cycle and which categories are open for Nepal. Required documents: academic transcripts, references, personal statement, IELTS scores, and evidence of development impact.
Very competitive. Approximately 40–60 Nepali students receive Commonwealth scholarships per year across all categories. This includes Shared Scholarships, Doctoral Fellowships, and other CSC awards. With thousands of eligible Nepali applicants, acceptance rates are approximately 1–2%. A strong academic record (GPA 3.5+/4.0), a compelling development impact statement, and evidence of leadership or professional achievement are essential.
Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded by the UK government through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) — applied for through UGC Nepal, covers developing country citizens, strongest for development-focused subjects. Chevening Scholarships are also UK government (FCO) but applied for directly at chevening.org — open to any nationality, requires 2+ years work experience, no development impact requirement. Both are fully funded. HOA advises on which scholarship best suits your profile. Full Chevening guide at houseofadmissions.com/study-in-uk/scholarships/chevening/.
More UK Study Resources
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