Closing Date: 20 October 2026
Applications are now open for the Fully Funded 2027/28 Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for study in the UK
Overview
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 the six CSC Development themes.
How to apply
Applications for Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for the 2027/28 academic year are now open.
The closing date for applications is 16:00 BST on Tuesday 20 October.
Please note that this opportunity is for study in the UK beginning in September/October 2027. Applications to the CSC are made using the application system, CSC Central.
The CSC is unable to accept any applications or documentation not submitted via CSC Central.
Candidates wishing to save a copy of an application that has already been submitted can access the system and use the ‘view a submitted application’ function.
It is recommended to prepare answers outside of the system and then add them to the form once they have been finalised.
There is a template application form and guidance document available to assist applicants when applying.
The form uses a two-factor authentication (2FA) system and will require access to either a smartphone or a second email account when registering. The 2FA system must be passed each time a user logs in to access the form.
When logging in to view a saved or completed application, a user will be asked for a reference (in format 01234-SSP-UK-15) and a 22-character passcode. These are found in the Application Reference Number email you received upon completing the enter your details page. Please remember to keep this email and the details contained within it safe.
Candidates are asked to note:
- The save function should be used to avoid loss of data.
- Refreshing the browser window will cause candidates to exit the form and will result in any unsaved data being lost.
- Applications may not be edited after submitting.
Candidates are advised to complete and submit applications as early as possible as CSC anticipates that the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline and not able to accept late applications if you run out of time to submit.
Users should use system back buttons rather than those on the browser. Please note that clicking on the CSC logo will return users to the log in screen where they will need to pass 2FA again to enter again.
Financial assistance
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 the rate of £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels).
- 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, as follows (rates quoted at current levels):
- If a Scholar is accompanied by their spouse but no children: spouse allowance of £313 per month for a maximum period of nine months, if they and their spouse are living together at the same address in the UK (unless the spouse is also in receipt of a scholarship; other conditions also apply).
- If a Scholar is accompanied by their spouse and children: spouse allowance of £313 per month and child allowance of £313 per month for the first child, and £154 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if their spouse and children are living with them at the same address in the UK (unless their spouse is also in receipt of a scholarship; other conditions also apply).
- If a Scholar has children and is widowed, divorced, or a single parent, child allowance of child allowance of £622 per month for the first child, and £154 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.
