CCommonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC)
Fully funded
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for Least Developed Countries and Vulnerable States
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC), United Kingdom
Scholarship overview
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and run by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC). They support full-time doctoral study at a UK university for candidates from least developed countries and vulnerable states in the Commonwealth, as classified by the OECD DAC.
The research should have a development impact. The awards aim to build teaching and research capacity in Commonwealth countries and to attract high-calibre international candidates to UK higher education. Awards are offered under the six CSC development themes.
Candidates apply both to the CSC and to a nominating body (a national nominating agency or a selected NGO or charitable body); the CSC does not accept direct applications. Scholarships last 36 months.
Award Information
- 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 study in the UK by the start of the academic year in September 2027.
- By September 2027, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master's). Disabled applicants without a 2:1 may be considered through the Commonwealth Disabled People's Forum (CDPF) nominator.
- Not have 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 the scholarship.
- Commit to returning home after the award; switching to a Graduate or other visa to stay in the UK is not permitted.
- No age limit; no IELTS test required by the CSC.
- Not eligible: UK government employees and former employees within three years of leaving, and their relatives; Association of Commonwealth Universities or British Council staff; CSC Commissioners and their relatives.
- Provide all supporting documents in the required format.
Eligible countries
Bangladesh, The Gambia, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Zambia.
Study conditions
- 36 months of full-time study at approved UK institutions with a CSC part-funding agreement; four-year PhDs are not supported.
- One degree only; no concurrent study.
- Full tuition fees, paid by agreement between the CSC and the university.
- Stipend of £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month at universities in the London metropolitan area (current rates).
- Approved return airfare between your home country and the UK.
- Study travel grant for study-related travel in the UK or overseas.
- One economy return airfare to an approved overseas fieldwork location.
- A paid mid-term return airfare home, unless family allowances are claimed or a fieldwork airfare is received.
- Family allowances: spouse only, £313 per month for up to nine months; spouse and children, £313 per month for the spouse, £313 per month for the first child under 16 and £154 per month for the second and third; widowed, divorced or single parents, £622 per month for the first child under 16 and £154 per month for the second and third.
- Individual needs assessment and additional support for disabled scholars.
2027/28 entry:
- CSC application deadline: 16:00 BST, Tuesday 20 October 2026. Late applications are not accepted.
- Nominating bodies set their own, possibly earlier, closing dates.
- Nominations submitted to the CSC in December 2026.
- Outcomes expected by July 2027.
- Study begins September/October 2027.
- Check eligibility and contact your nominating body for its deadline and any extra rules.
- Identify three UK universities and supervisors in order of preference and apply for admission early.
- Obtain a signed supporting statement from a proposed UK supervisor at one of your named institutions.
- Complete the application on CSC Central and upload all documents; submitted applications cannot be edited.
- Submit by 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026 and complete your nominator's process.
- Await the outcome by July 2027.
Official links
Documents you will need
- Proof of citizenship or refugee status: passport or national ID card showing photo, date of birth and nationality.
- Full transcripts for all higher education qualifications, including current courses to date, with certified translations if not in English. Missing pages or transcripts make the application ineligible.
- At least two references as signed PDFs on institutional letterhead or from an identifiable email account.
- A signed supporting statement (PDF) from a proposed UK supervisor at one of the named institutions.
Application form content
- Three referees (one your current employer, if applicable).
- A four-part Development Impact statement, a detailed plan of study and career plans.
- A personal statement and details of voluntary activities and leadership.
How selection works
- Nominators carry out their own first selection; nomination does not guarantee an award.
- The CSC assesses candidates on merit (including academic experience), the quality of the research proposal, and potential impact on the development of the home country.
- The CSC makes the final placement decision and may overrule preferences.
