Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for Least Developed Countries

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are for candidates from least developed countries and vulnerable states in the Commonwealth for full-time doctoral study at a UK university. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Commonwealth PhD Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

Applications for the 2027/28 academic year are now open. The closing date is 16:00 BST on Tuesday 20 October 2026. This opportunity is for study in the UK beginning in September/October 2027. The scholarship program aims to contribute to the development needs of Commonwealth countries by supporting research that will have a developmental impact. These awards will also enhance individual teaching and research capacity, leading to increased institutional capacity in academic and other sectors in Commonwealth countries. They contribute to UK higher education and research by attracting high-caliber international candidates and encouraging links and collaboration.

Applicants should be aware that the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission (CSC) does not charge candidates to apply for any of its scholarships or fellowships through its online application system, and it does not charge organizations to nominate candidates. This post is only for doctoral degree program applicants. If you wish to apply for a master’s degree program, please click on the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships.

Program Details

• Host Institution: Universities in the United Kingdom with a CSC part-funding agreement.
• Fields of Study: Scholarships are offered under six development themes (Science and technology for development; strengthening health systems and capacity; promoting global prosperity; strengthening global peace, security, and governance; strengthening resilience and response to crises; and access, inclusion, and opportunity).
• Number of awards: Not specified.
• Duration: 36 months of full-time study only. The CSC does not support four-year PhDs.
• Target group: Open to citizens or persons with refugee status of eligible Commonwealth countries. See the full list below.

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships Benefits

This Commonwealth PhD Scholarship to study in Europe provides successful applicants with:

• Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependents, nor the cost of journeys made before your 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 (usually the cost of one economy class return airfare to your fieldwork location), where approved
• Paid mid-term visit (airfare) to your home country (unless you have claimed or intend to claim spouse and/or child allowances during your scholarship, or have received a return airfare to your home country for fieldwork)
• Family allowances, as follows (rates quoted at current levels):
  • If you are accompanied by your spouse but have no children: spouse allowance of £313 per month for a maximum period of nine months, if you and your spouse are living together at the same address in the UK (unless your spouse is also in receipt of a scholarship; other conditions also apply)
  • If you are accompanied by your 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 children under the age of 16, if your spouse and children are living with you at the same address in the UK (unless your spouse is also in receipt of a scholarship; other conditions also apply)
  • If you have children and are widowed, divorced, or a single parent: 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 your children are living with you at the same address in the UK
• If you declare a disability, a full assessment of your needs and eligibility for additional financial support will be offered by the CSC.

Participating Universities in the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

Below is the list of universities that have part funding agreements with the CSC for Commonwealth Scholarships. Scholarships are available at any approved UK university or higher education institution with which the CSC has a part-funding agreement for a specific program of research for 36 months of full-time study only.

1. Aberystwyth University
2. Aston University
3. Bangor University
4. Bath Spa University
5. Birkbeck, University of London
6. Birmingham City University
7. Brunel University London
8. Cardiff University
9. City, University of London
10. Coventry University
11. Cranfield University
12. Durham University
13. Glasgow Caledonian University
14. Goldsmiths, University of London
15. Harper Adams University
16. Heriot-Watt University
17. Imperial College London
18. Keele University
19. King’s College London
20. Kingston University
21. Lancaster University
22. Leeds Beckett University
23. Liverpool Hope University
24. Liverpool John Moores University
25. Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
26. London School of Economics and Political Science
27. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
28. London South Bank University
29. Loughborough University
30. Manchester Metropolitan University
31. Newcastle University
32. Northumbria University
33. Nottingham Trent University
34. Open University
35. Oxford Brookes University
36. Plymouth University
37. Queen Mary, University of London
38. Queen’s University Belfast
39. Robert Gordon University
40. Royal Agricultural University
41. Royal Holloway, University of London
42. Royal Veterinary College
43. Sheffield Hallam University
44. SOAS, University of London
45. St George’s, University of London
46. Swansea University
47. Teesside University
48. Ulster University
49. University College London
50. University of Aberdeen
51. University of Bath
52. University of Birmingham
53. University of Bradford
54. University of Bristol
55. University of Cambridge
56. University of Central Lancashire
57. University of Chester
58. University of Dundee
59. University of East Anglia
60. University of East London
61. University of Edinburgh
62. University of Essex
63. University of Exeter
64. University of Glasgow
65. University of Greenwich
66. University of Huddersfield
67. University of Hull
68. University of Kent
69. University of Leeds
70. University of Leicester
71. University of Lincoln
72. University of Liverpool
73. University of Manchester
74. University of Northampton
75. University of Nottingham
76. University of Oxford
77. University of Portsmouth
78. University of Reading
79. University of Roehampton
80. University of St Andrews
81. University of Salford
82. University of Sheffield
83. University of Southampton
84. University of Stirling
85. University of Strathclyde
86. University of Surrey
87. University of Sussex
88. University of the West of England
89. University of Warwick
90. University of Westminster
91. University of West London
92. University of Wolverhampton
93. University of Worcester
94. University of York

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships Eligibility

To qualify for a PhD Scholarship, applicants must be:

• a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
• permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
• available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2027
• by September 2027, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a master’s degree)
• not be registered for a PhD or an MPhil leading to a PhD before September/October 2026
• unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
• able to provide all supporting documentation in the required format.

The CSC recognizes that disabled people have often faced and overcome challenges or barriers in their education journey which have prevented them from achieving the academic requirement for a Commonwealth Scholarship. Disabled applicants who can demonstrate their potential to contribute to international development but who do not hold a 2:1 undergraduate degree may be considered for a contextualized nomination through the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum (CDPF) nominator.

There is no age limit for CSC applications. Applicants are advised to confirm with their employers any age restrictions on leave entitlement they may have in place. All Commonwealth Scholars commit to returning home following the end of their scholarships to contribute to the development of their home countries. Switching to a graduate or other visa to remain in the UK is not permitted.

Eligible Countries

Please note that only candidates from the eligible countries listed below can apply for Commonwealth PhD Scholarships.

Bangladesh, The Gambia, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, and Zambia.

Selection Criteria

Candidates for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships will be selected using the following criteria:

• Academic merit of the candidate
• Quality of the research proposal
• Potential impact on the development of the candidate’s home country

Applicants should note the criteria carefully and link their answers in the application form to each point listed.

How to Apply for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships?

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. The closing date for applications is 16:00 BST on Tuesday 20 October 2026.

As well as applying to the CSC, applicants must apply to a nominator. There are two types of nominators invited to participate in the PhD Scholarship programme:

• National nominating agencies – this is the main route of application
• Selected non-governmental organizations and charitable bodies

Participating nominators put forward an agreed number of candidates to the CSC for consideration. The CSC does not accept direct applications for these scholarships. Each nominator oversees its own selection process and may have additional eligibility criteria. Applicants must check with the nominator for their specific advice and rules for applying and their own eligibility criteria. Nominators may set their own closing dates for applications. They will nominate candidates to the CSC in December 2026.

Selections are made from the pool of nominations. Candidates are asked to note that a nomination is no guarantee of selection. Applicants can expect to hear the outcome of their applications by July 2027. We will contact all applicants by email, and they should ensure all folders of their email accounts are monitored, including junk mail and spam folders. A scholarship offer may be withdrawn if a candidate is emailed but does not respond within a specified time.

Using CSC Central

• 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.
• 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 the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline.
• Users should use system back buttons rather than those on the browser.
• A template application form and guidance document are available to assist applicants.

Supporting Documentation

Applications must include supporting documentation to be eligible. Applicants are required to collect references and supporting statements, either on institution letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender’s details, from referees and proposed supervisors in the UK, and then upload them in PDF format to the application system with their other supporting documentation.

Applicants must upload the following documents with the application:

• Proof that they are a citizen or have refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country: a copy of a valid passport (or national ID card) showing a photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship.
• Full transcripts detailing all higher education qualifications, including to-date transcripts for any courses currently being studied, with certified translations if not in English. Where any transcripts are missing or do not include all pages, the application will be considered ineligible. If to-date transcripts are not available, the application must include an explanation why this is the case.
• References from at least two individuals, in PDF format, signed and on institutional letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender’s details.
• A supporting statement, in PDF format, signed and either on institutional letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender’s details, from a proposed supervisor in the UK from at least one of the institutions named on the application form.

Applications will be considered ineligible if any of the required documentation is not included by the closing date. The CSC will not accept supporting documentation submitted outside the online application system.

Completing the Application Form

In the application form, applicants are asked to:

• List all undergraduate and postgraduate university qualifications obtained.
• List up to 10 publications and prizes.
• Provide details of employment history and explain how the experience gained supports and is relevant to the program to be undertaken in the UK.
• List names and positions of three referees who are qualified to comment on both their capacity to benefit from the proposed scholarship in the UK and their ability to deliver development impact afterwards. One of the referees must be a current employer (if applicable), and at least two references must be included with the application.
• Provide a development impact statement in four parts.

In the first part applicants should explain how the proposed scholarship relates to development issues at the global, national, and local levels and development issues connected to the chosen CSC development theme and the wider sector. The second part should explain how they intend to apply their new skills once the scholarship ends. The third part should outline what they expect will change in development terms following the scholarship, including the outcomes they aim to achieve, the timeframe for implementation, and who the beneficiaries will be. In the fourth part applicants should write about how the impact of their work could be best measured and evidenced.

Applicants are also asked to confirm their award objectives and how each will be met by the scholarship program, their career plans for the five years following the Scholarship, their long-term career plans, provide a detailed plan of study, provide a personal statement, and summarize their engagement in voluntary activities and leadership.

Tenure and Placement

Scholarships are available at any approved UK university or higher education institution with which the CSC has a part-funding agreement for a specific program of research for 36 months of full-time study only. Scholarships are to obtain one degree; funding will not be extended to enable candidates to complete a qualification in addition to or higher than that for which the selection was made. Scholarships are made in respect of full-time study only, and no other course of study may be undertaken at the same time. The CSC does not support four-year PhDs.

The CSC does not provide new direct financial or promotional support for the fossil fuel energy sector overseas, defined as the extraction, production, transportation, refining, and marketing of crude oil, natural gas, or thermal coal, as well as any fossil-fuel-fired power plants.

Applicants are advised to list three universities and supervisors that they think are the most appropriate for their study, in order of preference, and to explain their reasons. It is strongly recommended to include a second and third choice in case placement at the first choice is not possible. If three choices are not included and the CSC are not able to place an applicant at the institutions included, the scholarship will not be able to proceed.

General Conditions

A Commonwealth Scholarship covers fees, approved fares, and personal maintenance. Other scholarships, awards, or bursaries that cover the same costs may not be held concurrently. The CSC does not require any applicants to take an IELTS (English language) test. Candidates will be required to submit a Health and Disability Form before the Confirmation of Award can be issued. Candidates will be required to sign an undertaking to return to their home country as soon as possible after the end of the award.

The following are not eligible to apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship or Fellowship: an employee, a former employee, or a relative of an employee of the Government of the United Kingdom; a staff member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities or the British Council; or a Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner, former Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner, or a relative of a Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner. Former employees of the organizations listed above are eligible to apply three years after ceasing their employment with them.

In line with the UK Bribery Act 2010, any applicant convicted of bribery will be banned from reapplying for a Commonwealth Scholarship or Fellowship for a period of up to five years. An award may be terminated at any time for reasons of unsatisfactory conduct, progress, or attendance, or if registration is suspended or terminated by the university for any reason.

FAQs and Enquiries

For general information about applying for Commonwealth Scholarships or Fellowships, please see the FAQs page. For queries not covered on the website, please use the contact us form.

The deadline to submit applications is 16:00 BST on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Please visit the official page to know more about the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships.