Applications for Commonwealth PhD scholarships for the 2023/24 academic year are now open for candidates from least developed countries and fragile States in the Commonwealth, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university.

About the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission

The Commonwealth ScholarshipCommission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and offers a vivid demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth.

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Brief Description | Commonwealth PhD scholarships

Scholarship Sponsor(s): Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC)

Scholarship Type: Full Funding

Host Institution(s): UK Universities

Number of Awards: Several

Study Level: Postgraduate

Nationality:ÂCommonwealth Countries

Eligibility Criteria for Commonwealth PhD scholarships

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the Commonwealth PhD scholarships

• Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
• Be available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2023
• By September 2023, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second class degree (2:2) and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree)*.
• NOT be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university or in your home country before September/October 2023
• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
• Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format

Eligible Countries

Please note that only candidates from the eligible countries listed below can apply for Commonwealth PhD scholarships (for least developed countries and fragile states) in 2023/24.

• Bangladesh
• Cameroon
• Kenya
• Kiribati
• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Mozambique
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Rwanda
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• Tanzania
• The Gambia
• Tuvalu
• Uganda
• Zambia

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Scholarships Benefits

• Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor the cost of journeys made before your award is confirmed).
• Approved tuition fees: full fees are covered by an agreement between the CSC and the UK university, and scholars are not liable to pay for any part of the tuition fee.
• Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,236 per month, or £1,516 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels).
• Warm clothing allowance, where applicable
• Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas
• Provision towards the cost of fieldwork undertaken overseas (the cost of one economy class return airfare to your fieldwork location)
• Paid mid-term visit (airfare) to your home country, unless you have claimed or intend to claim spouse and/or child allowances during your scholarship, or have received a return airfare to your home country for fieldwork.
• Family allowances, as follows (rates quoted at current levels):
  • If you are accompanied by your spouse but no children: spouse allowance of £266 per month for a maximum period of nine months if you and your spouse are living together at the same address in the UK (unless your spouse is also in receipt of a scholarship; other conditions also apply).
  • If you are accompanied by your spouse and children: spouse allowance of £266 per month and a child allowance of £266 per month for the first child, and £131 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if your spouse and children are living with you at the same address in the UK (unless your spouse is also in receipt of a scholarship; other conditions also apply).
  • If you are accompanied by your children but no spouse, you will receive a child allowance of £529 per month for the first child, and £131 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if your children are living with you at the same address in the UK.

How to apply for Commonwealth PhD scholarships

The closing date for applications (including all supporting documentation) is October 18, 2022, at 16:00 GMT.

Applications must be made using the CSC’s online application system

Candidates must apply to one of the below nominating agencies as well as to the CSC. Nominating agencies will then put forward candidates to the CSC. The CSC does not accept direct applications for these scholarships.

• National nominating agencies – this is the main route of application.
• Selected universities/university bodies – which can nominate their own academic staff
• Selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies

Supporting Documents

• Full transcripts detailing all higher education qualifications.
• A copy of a valid passport
• References from at least two individuals on institutional letterhead
• A supporting statement on institutional letterhead from a proposed supervisor in the UK from at least one of the institutions named on the application form