Entries now open for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for academic year 2025/2026
Applications are currently being accepted for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships program for the academic year 2025/2026. These scholarships are intended for candidates from the least developed countries and vulnerable states, as identified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), within the Commonwealth, who wish to pursue full-time doctoral studies at a university in the United Kingdom. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) administers this scholarship program, which is aligned with international development goals set by the UK government. This initiative exemplifies the UK’s long-standing dedication to the Commonwealth through the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP).
Eligibility Criteria for Applicants – Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for academic year 2025/2026
To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
– Be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be recognized as a British Protected Person.
– Reside permanently in an eligible Commonwealth country.
– Be prepared to commence academic studies in the UK at the beginning of the academic year in September 2025.
– By September 2025, possess a first degree with at least upper second-class (2:1) honors, or a lower second-class degree accompanied by a relevant postgraduate qualification (typically a Master’s degree)*.
– Not be enrolled in a PhD or an MPhil program leading to a PhD at a UK university or in their home country prior to September/October 2025.
– Demonstrate financial need, indicating that they cannot afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
– Submit all required supporting documents in the specified format.
Financial Support – Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for academic year 2025/2026
Each scholarship encompasses the following provisions:
– Approved airfare covering the Scholar’s travel from their home country to the UK and back at the conclusion of the award (the CSC will not reimburse travel expenses for dependants or for journeys taken prior to the confirmation of the award).
– Approved tuition fees: full tuition costs are covered through an agreement between the CSC and the UK university, ensuring that Scholars are not responsible for any portion of the tuition fees.
– A stipend (living allowance) of £1,378 per month, or £1,690 per month for those studying at universities located in the London metropolitan area (these rates are based on current levels).
– A warm clothing allowance, if applicable.
– A study travel grant to assist with expenses related to study-related travel within the UK or internationally.
– Financial support for fieldwork conducted overseas, which includes the cost of one economy class return airfare to the fieldwork destination, subject to approval.
– A paid mid-term visit (airfare) to the Scholar’s home country, unless they have claimed or plan to claim allowances for a spouse and/or children during their scholarship or have already received a return airfare for fieldwork purposes.
– Family allowances are structured as follows (rates are based on current levels):
– If a Scholar is accompanied by their spouse but no children, a spouse allowance of £297 per month is provided for a maximum duration of nine months, provided they and their spouse reside together at the same address in the UK (unless the spouse is also a scholarship recipient; additional conditions may apply).
– If a Scholar is accompanied by their spouse and children, a spouse allowance of £297 per month is granted, along with a child allowance of £297 per month for the first child and £146 per month for each of the second and third children under the age of 16, contingent upon their spouse and children living with them at the same address in the UK (unless the spouse is also a scholarship recipient; further conditions may apply).
If a Scholar has children and is widowed, divorced, or a single parent, child allowance of child allowance of £590 per month for the first child, and £146 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if their children are living with them at the same address in the UK.\
Nomination Procedure: – Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for academic year 2025/2026As well as applying to the CSC, applicants must apply to a nominator.
There are three types of nominator invited to participate in the PhD scholarship programme:
- National nominating agencies – this is the main route of application.
- Selected universities/university bodies – which can nominate their own academic staff.
- Selected non-governmental organisations and charitable bodies.
Nominators involved in the process are required to submit a predetermined number of candidates to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) for evaluation. The CSC does not accept applications directly from individuals seeking these scholarships.
Applicants are required to upload the following documents with their application:
Verification of citizenship or refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country, which can be provided through a copy of a valid passport or national ID card that includes a photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship.
Comprehensive transcripts that outline all higher education qualifications, including current transcripts for any ongoing courses, accompanied by certified translations if they are not in English. Applications will be deemed ineligible if any transcripts are missing or incomplete.
References from a minimum of two individuals, submitted in PDF format, signed, and printed on institutional letterhead or sent via email that clearly displays the sender’s details.
A supporting statement, also in PDF format, signed and either on institutional letterhead or sent via email that clearly shows the sender’s details, from a proposed supervisor in the UK affiliated with at least one of the institutions listed on the application form.
Application – Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for academic year 2025/2026
- For details visit the Official Webpage of the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships.
- Deadline is October 15, 2024
