Scholarship

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (Least Developed Countries and Fragile States)

Offered by Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK

  • United Kingdom
  • PhD / Doctorate
  • Fully Funded

Closed Applications closed. Next application cycle has not been announced

Visit Official Scholarship Website

Last verified: September 26, 2026

Quick facts

Provider
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
Study destination
United Kingdom
Level
PhD / Doctorate
Funding
Fully Funded, Stipend, Research Funding, Travel Grant
Amount
GBP 1,712 per month (GBP 2,000 per month at universities in the London metropolitan area)
Eligible students
Citizens (or refugees) of 17 eligible Commonwealth countries, permanently resident there
Deadline
Applications closed. Next application cycle has not been announced
Duration
Normally the length of the PhD programme
Application method
Government / provider online portal; Nomination by a government or national agency; Multiple-stage application

Overview

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships fund doctoral study at an approved UK university for candidates from the least developed and fragile Commonwealth countries. They are funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and awarded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC).

Candidates cannot apply to the CSC directly: they must be nominated by an approved national nominating agency.

To build research capacity for development in the least developed and fragile Commonwealth countries.

Who Can Apply

Citizens (or refugees) of an eligible least developed or fragile Commonwealth country who live there permanently, are nominated by their national nominating agency and apply for a PhD at an approved UK university.

Am I eligible? A quick check

  • Citizens (or refugees) of 17 eligible Commonwealth countries, permanently resident there
  • Study in United Kingdom
  • Level: PhD / Doctorate

This is a summary. The official eligibility rules decide who can apply.

Residency and citizenship

You must be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.

Study Destination

Approved UK universities.

Education Level

Eligible Nationalities

Citizens (or refugees) of 17 eligible Commonwealth countries, permanently resident there

Show all 17 eligible countries
  • Bangladesh
  • Gambia
  • Kiribati
  • Lesotho
  • Malawi
  • Mozambique
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Rwanda
  • Sierra Leone
  • Solomon Islands
  • Sri Lanka
  • Tanzania
  • Togo
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • Zambia

Eligibility can change between cycles. Confirm your country on the official website.

What Does This Scholarship Cover?

Tuition

  • Full tuition fees (covered)

Living costs

  • Monthly stipend (covered)

Travel

  • Airfare (covered)
  • Travel grant (covered)

Research

  • Fieldwork (covered)

Other

  • Support for family / dependants (covered)

"Fully funded" here means the published coverage includes full tuition and a living allowance. Costs not listed above may not be covered.

Funding Details

Amount: GBP 1,712 per month (GBP 2,000 per month at universities in the London metropolitan area)

Each scholarship provides an approved return airfare, full approved tuition fees, a monthly stipend (GBP 1,712, or GBP 2,000 in the London metropolitan area), a study travel grant, and, where approved, an airfare for fieldwork and a mid-term visit home. Allowances for a spouse and children are available under the CSC's rules.

Eligibility Requirements

Other requirements

You must be nominated by an approved nominating agency in your country; the CSC does not accept direct applications.

Application Deadline

Status
Closed Applications closed. Next application cycle has not been announced
Deadline
October 20, 2026, 16:00 BST
Deadline type
Fixed deadline
Current cycle
2027/28 academic year

This is the CSC deadline. National nominating agencies set their own, usually earlier, closing dates.

Deadlines change every cycle. Always confirm the current dates on the official website.

How to Apply

Both, separately: The scholarship and university admission are separate applications, each with its own requirements and deadlines.

  1. Check that your country is one of the 17 eligible countries.
  2. Apply to the nominating agency in your country and follow its rules and deadlines.
  3. Complete the CSC application in CSC Central by 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026.
  4. Apply separately for admission to your chosen UK universities.

Important: scholarship eligibility and university admission requirements may be different. Check both before applying.

Duration and Renewal

Duration: Normally the length of the PhD programme

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Indian students apply?

No. India is not one of the 17 eligible countries for Commonwealth PhD Scholarships. Indian candidates can look at Commonwealth Master’s and Shared Scholarships instead.

Last verified: September 26, 2026

Application Abroad is not the scholarship provider and does not accept applications. Apply through the official provider; its website is the final source for eligibility, funding and deadlines.

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