Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are for applicants from least developed countries and vulnerable states, as classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), in the Commonwealth, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university.
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.
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Purpose: 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 increase 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.
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Intended beneficiaries: 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.
Benefits
Eligibilities
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Must be a citizen of, or have refugee status from, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
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Must be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
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Must be available to start academic studies in the UK by September 2026.
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By September 2026, must hold:
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A first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours, or
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A lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s).
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Must 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 2026.
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Must be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
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Must provide all supporting documentation in the required format.
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Disabled applicants who do not meet the 2:1 requirement may be considered through the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum (CDPF) if they can demonstrate potential to contribute to international development.
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CSC promotes equal opportunity and non-discrimination; applications from diverse backgrounds are encouraged.
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There is no age limit, but applicants should check any employer restrictions on leave entitlement.
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All scholars commit to returning home after their scholarship to contribute to their country’s development; switching to a graduate or other visa to remain in the UK is not permitted.
Application Process
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Check eligibility with your nominator and ensure you meet all requirements.
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Prepare answers offline using the template and guidance documents.
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Register on CSC Central and complete two-factor authentication (2FA) using a smartphone or second email.
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Fill in the application form on CSC Central with your prepared answers.
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Save frequently to avoid losing data; do not refresh the browser.
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Submit the application before 09:00 UTC, 14 October 2025.
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Apply to a nominator (national agency or selected NGO/charity) and follow any additional instructions they have.
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Keep your Application Reference Number and 22-character passcode from the confirmation email safe.
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After submission, you can print the summary page or view your submitted application in the system.
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Wait for nomination decisions from your nominator (submitted to CSC in December 2025).
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Outcome announced by CSC in July 2026; monitor all email folders including spam/junk.
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Respond promptly to any scholarship offer to avoid withdrawal.
Application Deadline: October 14, 2025 (13 Days Remaining)
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