The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are designed for students from least developed countries and vulnerable states who want to pursue full-time doctoral studies in the UK. Funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in partnership with UK universities, these scholarships aim to support outstanding researchers and help them contribute to global knowledge and development.
The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships Summary
- Host Country: United Kingdom (UK)
- Study Abroad: UK
- Category: postgraduate and PHD students
- Eligible Countries: Commonwealth Countries
- Reward: Full Scholarship | £1,781 per month | Airfare Tickets
- Deadline: October 14, 2025
2026 Commonwealth PhD Scholarship Details:
- The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for high-income countries, funded by the UK Department for Education (DfE), are designed to support research that makes a real impact in areas connected to sustainable development. These scholarships operate under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP), reflecting the UK’s long-standing commitment to the Commonwealth.
- The program not only strengthens individual teaching and research skills but also helps build institutional capacity across academia and other sectors in Commonwealth countries. At the same time, it contributes to the UK’s higher education and research landscape by attracting outstanding international scholars and fostering collaboration.
- These scholarships are aimed at talented graduates who have the potential to carry out world-class, development-focused research and to grow into future leaders, teachers, or researchers in their home countries. You can check out more on the official site https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-phd-scholarships-for-least-developed-countries-and-vulnerable-states/
2026 Commonwealth Scholarship Requirements:
To qualify for the 2026 Commonwealth Scholarships, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Nationality: Be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country, hold refugee status in one, or be a British Protected Person.
- Residency: Be permanently living in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Start date: Be ready to begin academic studies in the UK by September 2026.
- Academic background: Hold at least a first degree with upper second-class (2:1) honours. Applicants with a lower second-class degree must also hold a relevant postgraduate qualification (such as a Master’s degree).
- PhD registration: Must not already be registered for a PhD or an MPhil leading to a PhD in the UK or in their home country before September/October 2026.
- Financial need: Show that studying in the UK would not be possible without this scholarship.
- Documentation: Provide all required supporting documents in the correct format.
2026 Commonwealth PhD Scholarship Duration and Reward
- Each scholarship provides:
The Commonwealth PhD Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support to ensure scholars can fully focus on their research without financial worries. Benefits include:
- Airfare: A return ticket from your home country to the UK at the start and end of the award (dependants’ fares are not covered).
- Tuition fees: Full tuition costs are covered in agreement with the university, so scholars do not pay any fees.
- Living allowance: A monthly stipend of £1,452, or £1,781 if studying at a London university.
- Warm clothing allowance: Additional support for winter clothing, if applicable.
- Study travel grant: Funding for study-related travel within the UK or abroad.
- Fieldwork costs: Support for overseas fieldwork, including one return economy airfare to the field location.
- Mid-term home visit: A paid return airfare to your home country, unless claiming family allowances.
- Child allowance: If a scholar is widowed, divorced, or a single parent, they may receive £622 per month for the first child, plus £154 per month for the second and third child under 16, provided the children live with them in the UK.
Required Documents for Commonwealth PhD Scholarship
When applying for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarship, candidates must upload the following documents:
- Proof of eligibility: A valid passport or national ID card showing your photo, date of birth, and country of citizenship (or refugee status).
- Academic transcripts: Full records of all higher education qualifications, including current studies. Certified translations must be provided if not in English. Incomplete or missing transcripts (including missing pages) will make the application ineligible.
- References: At least two signed references in PDF format, on institutional letterhead or from an official email showing the sender’s details.
- Supervisor statement: A signed supporting statement in PDF format from a proposed UK supervisor at one of the universities you listed in your application, also on institutional letterhead or from an official email.
- University offer letter: An unconditional offer (or one conditional only on finance) for the 2023 academic year from all the UK institutions named in your application.
Important: Applications will not be considered if any of these required documents are missing at the time of submission.