Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2027/28

About this opportunity

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships fund full-time doctoral study at a UK university for people from the Commonwealth's least developed countries and vulnerable states, as classified by the OECD's Development Assistance Committee. They are UK government scholarships, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and managed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), and they support research that can make a difference to development in the scholar's home country while building teaching and research capacity there.

The award covers 36 months of full-time study and includes return airfare, full tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, a study travel grant and, where approved, a return airfare for overseas fieldwork. Depending on circumstances, there may also be a paid mid-term visit home and family allowances. Only three-year PhDs are funded — four-year PhDs are not.

As with the Master's scheme, you cannot apply directly: you need a nominator (usually your national nominating agency) and you must also apply on CSC Central. You must not already be registered for a PhD (or an MPhil leading to one) before September/October 2026. The CSC strongly recommends a supporting statement from a supervisor at your first-choice university.

Purpose & benefits

• Approved return airfare to the UK.
• Full tuition fees for 36 months.
• Living allowance of £1,712 a month, or £2,000 a month in the London area (current rates).
• Study travel grant.
• Return airfare for approved overseas fieldwork.
• Paid mid-term visit home (conditions apply) and family allowances where eligible.

Eligibility

You must:

• be a citizen of (or have refugee status in) one of the 17 eligible countries, or be a British Protected Person, and be permanently resident in an eligible country;
• by September 2027, hold at least a 2:1 first degree, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master's);
• not be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, before September/October 2026;
• be able to start in the UK by September 2027 and unable to afford UK study without the scholarship;
• be nominated by an approved nominator.

• Nationality: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Gambia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu.
• Country of residence: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Gambia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu.
• Where it takes place: United Kingdom.
• Field of study or work: Any field linked to the CSC development themes; full-time PhD (36 months)

Citizenship requirements

Citizen of, or refugee in, one of the 17 eligible Commonwealth countries (or British Protected Person).

Residency requirements

Permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.

Required qualifications

First degree of at least upper second-class (2:1), or lower second-class plus a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s), by September 2027.

Who should consider applying

Researchers from eligible countries such as Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi and Sierra Leone who have a strong degree and a research idea with clear development impact, and who have not yet started a PhD.

Important restrictions

• Direct applications to the CSC are not accepted: you must go through a nominator.
• Only 36-month, full-time PhDs at approved UK universities; four-year PhDs are not supported.
• Not open to people already registered for a PhD or an MPhil leading to a PhD before September/October 2026.
• The CSC does not fund support for the fossil-fuel energy sector.

How to apply

1. Contact your nominator (normally your national nominating agency) and follow its rules and closing date.
2. Apply for admission to your preferred UK universities as well — many courses have strict admission deadlines.
3. Complete the application on CSC Central and upload all documents, references and supporting statements by 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026.
4. Nominators put forward candidates to the CSC in December 2026.

Documents you'll need

• Copy of a valid passport or national ID showing citizenship (or proof of refugee status)
• Full transcripts of all higher education qualifications
• References and supporting statements, uploaded to CSC Central
• Research proposal (in the application form)

How applicants are selected

Applications are assessed on candidate merit, the quality of the research proposal, and the potential impact on the development of the candidate’s home country. A nomination does not guarantee selection.

Preparing a strong application

• Secure a supporting statement from a potential supervisor at your first-choice university — the CSC strongly advises it.
• List up to three universities and supervisors in order of preference, with reasons.
• Write a research proposal that shows a clear development impact for your home country.
• Check your nominator's deadline, which may be earlier than the CSC's.