The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships to Study in the United Kingdom are now accepting applications for the academic year 2025/2026. The intake for this application cohort will begin studies in 2025. Eligible overseas students with strong academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply for a fully financed study opportunity in the United Kingdom.
The scholarships are funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), a department of the United Kingdom’s government, and are primarily aimed at applicants from least developed countries and vulnerable states (as classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) in the Commonwealth) for full-time doctoral study at a UK university.
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Brief Description
Scholarship Sponsor(s):ÂUK Government
Host Institution(s):Â UK Universities
Scholarship Worth:Â Fully Funded
Number of Awards:ÂNot Stated
Study Level:Â Doctoral
Nationality:Â Least Developed/Developing Countries
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Eligibility Criteria
Applicants applying for the 2025/2026 Commonwealth PhD Scholarships must:
- 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 2025.
- By September 2025, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree 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 their home country before September/October 2025.
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
- Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format.
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Eligible Countries
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships is open only to candidates from the following eligible countries;
- Bangladesh
- Cameroon
- The Gambia
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Rwanda
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- Sri Lanka
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Zambia
Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship is fully funded, and thus will cover;
- Approved airfare (to and from UK)
- Approved tuition fees (full fees are covered)
- Stipend (living allowance) up to £1,690
- 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
- Paid mid-term visit (airfare) to the Scholar’s home country
- Family allowances (rates vary per family size)
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How to Apply for Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2025
To apply for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2025/2026, application must be made to CSC using the CSC’s online application system. Applications not submitted via the online application system will not be treated. Early application is advised.
As well as applying to the CSC, applicants must apply to a nominator. There are three types of nominator invited to participate in the PhD scholarship programme:
- National nominating agencies
- Selected universities/university bodies
- Selected NGOs and charitable bodies.
You can find more details on how to reach the nominators and be nominated at the scholarship official website (link below)
Application Deadline: 15 October 2024.