Commonwealth PhD Scholarships: Fully Funded Opportunity

The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are now open for applications for the 2025/2026 academic year.

These scholarships are funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

They aim to help Commonwealth countries develop by supporting research with real impact.

This opportunity is for those from least developed countries and fragile states, as classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC).

The scholarships offer full-time doctoral study at a UK university.

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC)

The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are provided by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK.

The CSC runs the UK government’s scholarship programme, which supports international development goals.

It works under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP).

The CSC plays a key role in showing the UK’s ongoing support for the Commonwealth.

This scheme brings together talented people from different backgrounds and supports them to become leaders when they return home.

It also creates opportunities for international cooperation and partnerships.

What the Scholarship Offers

The scholarship covers the following:

• Airfare: An approved flight from your home country to the UK and back once the award ends.
• Tuition Fees: Full fees are covered, and you won’t have to pay any part of the tuition fee.
• Stipend: A monthly allowance of £1,378, or £1,690 if you are studying in the London metropolitan area.
• Warm Clothing Allowance: If needed.
• Study Travel Grant: This helps with the costs of travel related to your study within the UK or abroad.
• Fieldwork Costs: If your fieldwork takes place overseas, an economy class return flight to the location will be provided.
• Mid-term Visit: A paid return trip to your home country, unless you claim family allowances during your scholarship.
• Family Allowances: If your spouse and children live with you in the UK, you can get extra funds to help cover living costs.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for this scholarship, you must:

• Be a citizen or refugee of a Commonwealth country or a British Protected Person.
• Be permanently living in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be ready to start your studies in the UK by September 2025.
• Have at least an upper second-class degree or a lower second-class degree with a relevant Master’s degree by September 2025.
• Not be registered for a PhD at a UK university or in your home country before September/October 2025.
• Prove that you cannot afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
• Provide all required supporting documents.

Selection Criteria

The selection of candidates is based on:

• Academic merit.
• The quality of the research proposal.
• The potential impact of the research on the candidate’s home country.

How to Apply

Applications for Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for the 2025/2026 academic year are now open.

The deadline for submitting applications is 15 October 2024 at 16:00 BST (15:00 GMT).

Applicants should submit their applications as early as possible to avoid issues with the online system as the deadline approaches.

In addition to applying to the CSC, you must also apply through a nominator.

There are three types of nominators:

• National nominating agencies – view the list here.
• Selected universities/university bodies – view the list here.
• Non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies – find out more here.

Apply now for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships.

For further details, visit the official Commonwealth PhD Scholarships webpage.

Make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements and submit your application by October 15, 2024.