Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

Details of the financial assistance provided by this scholarship can be found under  ‘Financial Assistance’ at the following link on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) webpage: Commonwealth PhD Scholarships - Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK.

The closing date for applications to the CSC is 16:00 BST on Tuesday 20 October 2026.

To apply for this scholarship, applicants 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 2027.
• By September 2027, 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, before September/October 2026.
• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
• Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format.

Further information on eligibility can be found under ‘Applicant Eligibility’ and ‘Eligible Countries’ at the following link: Commonwealth PhD Scholarships - Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are for applicants from least developed countries and vulnerable states, as classified by the OECD Development Assistant Committee (DAC), in the Commonwealth, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university.

Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Commonwealth PhD Scholarships contribute to the development needs of Commonwealth countries by supporting research that will have a developmental impact. They also enhance individual teaching and research capacity leading to an increase in institutional capacity in academic and other sectors in Commonwealth countries, and will contribute to UK higher education and research by attracting high-calibre international applicants and encouraging links and collaboration, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. 

Commonwealth PhD scholarships are for high-quality graduates who have the potential to undertake world-class research of a developmental nature and to become influential leaders, teachers, or researchers in their home countries. 

These scholarships are offered under the six CSC Development themes.