Commonwealth PhD Scholarships fund full-time doctoral research at approved UK universities. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office funds them and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission administers them.
They target graduates from eligible least-developed Commonwealth countries and vulnerable states whose research can advance development. The 2027/28 awards begin in September/October 2027.
Benefits & funding
- Covers full approved tuition, return airfare, and a monthly stipend of £1,712, or £2,000 in metropolitan London.
- Includes study-travel support and, where approved, overseas fieldwork airfare; eligible scholars may receive family or disability support.
- Funds 36 months of full-time study.
- Awardees must return home after the scholarship and may not switch to a visa to remain in the UK.
Eligibility
- Be a citizen or recognised refugee of an eligible Commonwealth country, or a British Protected Person, and permanently resident in an eligible country.
- Eligible countries: Bangladesh, The Gambia, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, and Zambia.
- Start study in the UK in September 2027.
- By then, hold a 2:1 bachelor’s degree, or a 2:2 plus a relevant postgraduate qualification; current undergraduates may apply if graduating by then.
- Disabled applicants lacking a 2:1 may seek contextual nomination through CDPF.
- Before September/October 2026, not be registered for a PhD or PhD-track MPhil; be unable to self-fund UK study.
- Submit all required documents.
- UK Government staff, former staff and staff relatives, ACU/British Council staff, and current/former CSC Commissioners and relatives are barred; former staff qualify three years after leaving.
- A bribery conviction can bar reapplication for up to five years.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Residence required
Bangladesh · Gambia · Kiribati · Lesotho · Malawi · Mozambique · Nigeria · Pakistan · Rwanda · Sierra Leone · Solomon Islands · Sri Lanka
+ 5 more
Tanzania · Togo · Tuvalu · Uganda · Zambia
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor
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Application process
- 1Apply to a participating nominator under its eligibility rules and deadline, which may be earlier than the CSC deadline.
- 2Submit through CSC Central by 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026; the CSC does not accept direct applications.
- 3Upload citizenship or refugee proof, all higher-education transcripts, at least two references, and a supporting statement from a proposed UK supervisor by the deadline.
Program timeline
CSC application deadline
20 October 2026, 16:00 BST
Nominators submit candidates
December 2026
Outcomes expected
July 2027
Studies begin
September/October 2027