Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are for candidates from least developed countries and fragile states in the Commonwealth, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, 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.

These scholarships are offered under six 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 crisis.

• Access, inclusion and opportunity.

To apply for these 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 a permanent resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.

• Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year.

• 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, in your home country or elsewhere.

• Have support of a potential supervisor from at least one UK university listed in your application form.

• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.

• Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format.

Eligible Commonwealth countries

Bangladesh, Cameroon, The Gambia, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi ,Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia.