2027/28 Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

Scholarship Overview

About the Scholarship

The Commonwealth PhD Scholarship supports full-time doctoral study at an approved UK institution. It is intended for talented applicants whose research could contribute to development in their home country and who would not otherwise be able to afford to study in the UK.

The scholarship is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). Applicants must connect their proposed research to the CSC’s development priorities and explain how they plan to use their skills after returning home.

This award is available only to applicants from the countries listed by the CSC for this scholarship. It is not open to all Commonwealth countries.

Scholarship Benefits

Selected scholars receive a package intended to cover the main costs of full-time doctoral study in the UK. The CSC’s published support includes:

• Full approved tuition fees, covered through an agreement between the CSC and the UK university.
• Return airfare between the scholar’s home country and the UK for the start and end of the award.
• A monthly living allowance of £1,712, or £2,000 for scholars studying at universities in the London metropolitan area.
• A study travel grant for approved study-related travel.
• Support for approved overseas fieldwork, including one economy return airfare to the fieldwork location.
• A paid mid-term return visit to the scholar’s home country, subject to the CSC’s conditions.
• Family allowances for eligible scholars who meet the stated requirements.

Eligible Countries

The CSC’s current list for this scholarship includes:

• Bangladesh
• The Gambia
• Kiribati
• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Mozambique
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Rwanda
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• Sri Lanka
• Tanzania
• Togo
• Tuvalu
• Uganda
• Zambia

Eligibility Requirements

To apply, candidates must meet the CSC’s eligibility rules. In general, applicants must:

• Be a citizen of, or have refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
• Live permanently in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be ready to begin study in the UK in September/October 2027.
• By September 2027, hold a first degree at upper second-class (2:1) level or higher, or hold a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a master’s.
• Not already be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, before September/October 2026.
• Be unable to afford UK doctoral study without the scholarship.
• Submit all required documents in the format specified by the CSC.

Applicants must also commit to returning to their home country after the scholarship and contributing to its development. The CSC does not support four-year PhD programs under this award.

Required Documents

The CSC requires supporting documents to be uploaded through its online system. Applicants should prepare:

• Proof of citizenship or refugee status, such as a valid passport or national ID showing the applicant’s photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship.
• Complete transcripts for all higher education studies, including current transcripts for any ongoing course. Certified translations are needed for documents that are not in English.
• At least two references, submitted as PDFs and signed on institutional letterhead or sent from an email address that clearly identifies the referee.
• A supporting statement from a proposed supervisor at a UK institution named in the application. This must also be submitted as a PDF.

Missing documents can make an application ineligible. Check the CSC guidance and your nominator’s instructions for any additional requirements.

How to Apply

1. Read the official CSC scholarship page and confirm that your country and circumstances meet the eligibility requirements.
2. Research suitable UK universities and doctoral supervisors. Applicants should take steps to apply for admission to their preferred universities.
3. Contact an eligible nominator and check its own application process and deadline. Nominators may set an earlier deadline than the CSC.
4. Complete the CSC application through CSC Central and upload all required supporting documents by the deadline.
5. Submit an application to a nominator as well. The CSC does not accept direct applications, and a nomination does not guarantee a scholarship.
6. Submit early where possible; the CSC warns that its online system may be busy near the closing date.

Important Dates

• CSC application deadline: October 20, 2026 at 16:00 BST.
• Nominator deadlines: Vary by nominator and may be earlier than the CSC deadline.
• Nomination to the CSC: Nominators are expected to submit candidates in December 2026.
• Expected decision notification: By July 2027.
• Study begins: September/October 2027.

Official Scholarship Website

Apply for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarship

Source

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK