Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for least developed countries and vulnerable states)

Award details

Applications for Commonwealth PhD scholarships for the 2025/26 academic year are open until 16:00 hours BST (15:00 GMT) on 15 October 2024.

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.

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.

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 six CSC Development themes.

As part of a partnership agreement between the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and King's College London, scholars who are funded on this scholarship receive support towards their tuition fees from King's.

Award value

Each scholarship provides:

• Approved airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor the cost of journeys made before the award is confirmed).
• Approved tuition fees: full fees are covered by agreement between the CSC and the UK university, and Scholars are not liable to pay for any part of the tuition fee.
• Stipend (living allowance) at a rate set by the CSC.
• 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 (the cost of one economy class return airfare to the fieldwork location), where approved.
• Paid mid-term visit (airfare) to the Scholar’s home country, unless they have claimed or intend to claim spouse and/or child allowances during their scholarship or have received a return airfare to their home country for fieldwork.
• Family allowances (at set rates)

If a Scholar shares that they have a disability, a full assessment of their needs and eligibility for additional financial support will be offered by the CSC.

The CSC’s family allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards the cost of maintaining a Scholar’s family in the UK. The true costs are likely to be considerably higher, and Scholars must be able to supplement these allowances to support any family members who accompany them to the UK.

For more information, please visit the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships website.

Eligibility criteria

To apply for this scholarship, 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.
• By 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.

The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants. For further information on the support available to scholars who share that they have a disability, see the CSC disability support statement.

Application process

Applications for Commonwealth Master’s scholarships for the 2025/26 academic year are now open. The deadline for submitting an application is 16:00 BST (15:00 GMT) on 15 October 2024. The scholarships are for study in the UK beginning in September/October 2025.

Applications to the CSC must be made using the CSC’s online application system.

As well as applying to the CSC, applicants must apply to a nominator.

For full details and to apply, please visit the Commonwealth Scholarships website.

Selection process

Applications will be considered according to the following selection criteria:

• Academic merit
• Quality of research proposal
• Potential impact on the development of the candidate’s come country

 

 

Student Testimonial

Ishrat Shahnaz, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Research PhD

"As one of the UK's oldest and top-ranked universities, King's College London has always been a top preference for an international student like me. Its internationally acclaimed teaching, excellent research group, and groundbreaking research have attracted me the most. I found this world-leading university a perfect match for me to produce new knowledge.

I always wanted to contribute more to the field of psychology and psychiatry. I have looked at plenty of chances in this area, and I feel this program is the best one of its kind. It is much related to my prior work knowledge and will be the best platform to expand and extend my research skills to a higher level. I am willing to continue my teaching, conduct more research and pursue my postdoctoral studies after my PhD to broaden my horizon further.

This fully-funded scholarship has helped me to fulfil my dream of a PhD researcher by removing the financial barrier and provided me ample opportunities to meet and network with fellow scholars to create a community.

If you want to empower yourself by developing skills and deepening your knowledge in your desired field without any financial burden, this scholarship is the perfect opportunity to apply for. Studying at King's College London with the support of a Commonwealth Scholarship will enhance your confidence to attain your academic and career dreams."