The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2025/2026 are fully funded scholarships offered by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). These scholarships aim to support research that will have a developmental impact in Commonwealth countries.

The scholarships are open to applicants from least developed countries and fragile States, as classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), in the Commonwealth, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university.

Scope of Work

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives.

It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and offers a vivid demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth.

By attracting individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds and supporting them to become leaders and innovators on returning to their home countries, the CSC’s work combines sustainable development with the UK national interest and provides opportunities for international partnerships and collaboration.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, 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 2025.

• 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, at a UK university or in their home country before September/October 2025.

• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.

• Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format.

Budget and Duration

Each scholarship provides:

• Approved airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award.

• Approved tuition fees: full fees are covered by agreement between the CSC and the UK university.

• Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,378 per month, or £1,690 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area.

• Warm clothing allowance, where applicable.

• Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.

• Provision towards the cost of fieldwork undertaken overseas.

• Paid mid-term visit (airfare) to the Scholar’s home country.

• Family allowances, as follows:

Key Dates

The deadline for submitting an application is 16:00 hours BST (15:00 GMT) on 15 October 2024.

For More funding Opportunities, Visit Global Funding Opportunities.