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 2026/27 academic year are now open. The scholarships are for study in the UK beginning in September/October 2026.

We are currently experiencing issues with the application system related to a high level of user traffic; your patience is appreciated while the IT team are working to resolve these.

Applications will close at 16:00 on 14 October 2025.

Applications to the CSC must be made using the application system, CSC Central. 

The CSC is unable to accept any applications or documentation not submitted via CSC Central.  

We are launching a new application system for this round and the form will look and feel different to that of previous years. If you experience any issues, please contact info@cscuk.org.uk. 

We recommended preparing answers outside of the system and then adding 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: 

1. The save function should be used to avoid loss of data. 
2. Refreshing the browser window will cause candidates to exit the form and will result in any unsaved data being lost.
3. Applications may not be edited after submitting.

Candidates are advised to complete and submit applications as early as possible as we anticipate that the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline. 

Candidates wishing to save a copy of their applications can either print the summary page when submitting or access the system again after submitting using the ‘view a submitted application’ section. 

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.

As well as applying to the CSC, applicants must apply to a nominator.  

 There are two types of nominator invited to participate in the PhD Scholarship programme: 

• National nominating agencies – this is the main route of application. 
• Selected non-governmental organisations 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 2025.  

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 2026. 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. 

Applicant eligibility

To apply for this scholarship, applicants 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 2026.
• By September 2026, 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, at a UK university or in their home country before September/October 2026.
• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
• Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format.

*The CSC recognises that disabled people have often faced and overcome challenges or barriers in their education journey which have prevented them 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 contextualised nomination through the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum (CDPF) nominator. For more information, please contact CDPF directly using the details on our NGOs and charitable body nominators page.

The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants. For further information on the support available to scholars who share that they have a disability, see the CSC disability support statement.

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
Cameroon
The Gambia
Kenya
Kiribati
Lesotho
Malawi
Mozambique
Nigeria
Pakistan
Rwanda
Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
Sri Lanka
Tanzania
Togo
Tuvalu
Uganda
Zambia