Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2025/26: Apply for Fully Funded Doctoral Study in the UK
The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are now open for applications from individuals in least developed countries and vulnerable states, as classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC). These scholarships offer an exceptional opportunity for full-time doctoral study at UK universities, aiming to support outstanding talent from across the Commonwealth.
Overview Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), these scholarships are part of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s (CSC) effort to promote international development objectives. The CSC operates within the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP), showcasing the UK’s commitment to the Commonwealth by nurturing future leaders, innovators, and researchers.
Scholarship Purpose The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships contribute to the development of Commonwealth countries by supporting impactful research. The program enhances individual teaching and research capacities, leading to strengthened institutional capacity in both academic and professional sectors. This initiative also supports UK higher education by fostering international collaboration and attracting talented students from across the globe.
Who Can Apply? The scholarships are aimed at high-quality graduates who demonstrate the potential to conduct world-class research that addresses developmental challenges. Recipients are expected to become influential leaders, educators, and researchers in their home countries, contributing to long-term national and global development.
Key Scholarship Details
- Application Deadline: October 15, 2024, at 16:00 BST (15:00 GMT)
- Study Start Date: September/October 2025
- Scholarship Themes: Applications are accepted under six CSC Development themes..
- Submission Process: Applications must be submitted through the CSC’s online application system. The CSC will not accept any applications outside this system. Applicants are advised to apply early to avoid system delays near the deadline.
Financial Assistance Each Commonwealth PhD Scholarship provides:
- Approved Airfare: Covering the cost of travel from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award. Note: Dependents’ fares and any journeys before the award confirmation are not reimbursed.
- Tuition Fees: Full fees are covered by agreement between the CSC and the UK university; Scholars are not liable for any part of the tuition fee.
- Stipend: A living allowance of £1,378 per month, or £1,690 per month for those studying in the London metropolitan area (rates at current levels).
- Warm Clothing Allowance: Provided where applicable.
- Study Travel Grant: Contributing towards study-related travel costs within the UK or overseas.
- Fieldwork Provision: Cost coverage for one economy class return airfare to the fieldwork location, if approved.
- Mid-term Visit: Paid airfare for a visit to the Scholar’s home country, unless they have claimed or intend to claim spouse and/or child allowances or received a return airfare for fieldwork.
- Family Allowances:
- Spouse allowance of £297 per month for up to nine months if living with the Scholar in the UK (conditions apply).
- Child allowance of £297 per month for the first child, and £146 per month for the second and third children under 16, if living with the Scholar in the UK (conditions apply).
- For widowed, divorced, or single parents, a child allowance of £590 per month for the first child, and £146 per month for the second and third children under 16.
- Additional support may be available for Scholars with disabilities.
Please note that these allowances are intended as contributions towards the cost of maintaining a family in the UK, and Scholars should be prepared to supplement these allowances as needed. For more details, refer to the current Handbook for Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows.
Eligibility Criteria To apply for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of or have refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be available to commence studies in the UK by September 2025.
- Hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours, or a lower second-class degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification by September 2025.
- Not be registered for a PhD or MPhil leading to a PhD at a UK university or in their home country before September/October 2025.
- Demonstrate financial need for the scholarship.
- Provide all required supporting documentation.
Disabled applicants who may not meet the standard academic requirements but can demonstrate significant potential are encouraged to apply through the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum (CDPF) nominator.
Application Process Applicants must:
- Apply through the CSC’s online application system.
- Apply to a designated nominator, as direct applications to the CSC are not accepted. Nominators may include:
- National nominating agencies (main application route)
- Selected universities/university bodies (for their academic staff)
- Selected NGOs and charitable bodies
Each nominator manages its own selection process and may set additional eligibility criteria or deadlines. Nominators will forward their shortlisted candidates to the CSC by December 2024.
Application Components Applicants are required to:
- List qualifications, publications, and prizes.
- Provide employment history and relevance to the proposed research.
- Include details of three referees.
- Submit a Development Impact statement outlining the scholarship’s relevance and expected outcomes.
- Provide a detailed study plan, personal statement, and career plans.
Tenure and Placement Scholarships are tenable at any approved UK university or higher education institution with a CSC part-funding agreement for a 36-month full-time study. Scholarships cover one degree only and are not extended for additional qualifications. The CSC does not support four-year PhDs or the fossil fuel energy sector.
Applicants should list preferred universities and supervisors and apply for admission in advance. Supporting statements from named supervisors are required.
For further details and to apply, visit the CSC website.
Apply now to seize this transformative opportunity for impactful research and development.
