The Commonwealth has announced PhD scholarships for least-developed countries and Fragile states. The scholarships are offered under six developmental themes. The program covers tuition fees, travel costs, bursary, and living costs. The scholarship awarding bodies are the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The eligible countries include Pakistan and Bangladesh. Cameroon. Kenya. Kiribati. Lesotho. Malawi. Mozambique. Nigeria. Rwanda. Sierra Leone. Solomon Islands. Tanzania. The Gambia. Togo. Tuvalu. Uganda. Vanuatu. Zambia.
Commonwealth PhD scholarship program supports a full-time doctoral study at a UK University. Commonwealth also offers fully funded scholarships for master’s studies at the UK university. The purpose of these programs is to support developing countries as well as research. The program brings understanding among the participants about the UK as a country. It helps improve their teaching and research capacity. Commonwealth is very active in the academic sector supporting students in studies and research. The scholarship programs attract highly talented individuals with great intellect. The programs encourage links and coordination among the participants for a better future.
The six developmental themes for all commonwealth scholarships including PhD are:
- Science and Technology for development
- Strengthening health system and capacity
- Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship
- Strengthening global peace, security and governance
- Strengthening resilience and response to crises
- Access, inclusion and opportunity
The applicants should consider the above theme while choosing their course for studies in the UK university.
Also check
KAUST Global Fellowship 2025 in Saudi Arabia for Postdoc Researchers
USEFP Fulbright Scholar Program for Pakistan 2024|Fully Funded|
Benefits of Commonwealth PhD scholarships
The Commonwealth will fully support the students for three years. It provides complete financial benefits to those who can not afford their fee. The scholarship provides:
- Airfare from their home country to the UK and vice versa
- Tuition fees and a stipend £1,378 per month, or £1,690per month
- Allowance for warm clothing for winters since UK gets really cold
- Travel grants within or outside the UK
Family allowance
- Those living with their spouse without children will get £297 per month for up to nine months.
- Spouses with children will get £297 per month for your spouse, £297 for your first child, and £146 for each additional child under 16.
- Single parent, widowed, or divorced, you can receive £590 per month for your first child and £146 for each additional child under 16, as long as they live with you in the UK.
Eligibility Criteria for Commonwealth PhD scholarship
To apply for Commonwealth PhD scholarships, you 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 2024
- By September 2024, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second class degree (2:2) 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 your home country before September/October 2024
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
- Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format
The CSC is committed to the policy of equal opportunity. It can identify and make potential changes and encourage participation from diverse backgrounds.
Important Documents for the program
- Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees
- Up to 10 publications and prizes
- Statement of relevance on employment (up to 300 words)
- A Letter of reference.
- Scanned copy of passport or national identity card.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for Commonwealth Scholarships 2025 in the UK is 15 October 2024.
How to apply for a Commonwealth PhD Scholarship?
Commonwealth PhD scholarships require the applicant to submit two applications. It has representatives and agencies in each country who accept applications and nominate participants. Therefore, the participants need to check with their country’s agency. The agencies also have additional eligibility criteria. They can apply through ;
- Use CSC’s online application system to submit application to Commonwealth
- Submit application to nominator, a national agency, selected universities or NGOs.
- Check agency eligibility criteria and additional deadlines
- Once you submit an application, the nominating agency will forward the application to CSC after selection.
- The CSC selects candidates from the nominating agency pool.
- Results will be shared by July 2025 via email.
