Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2027/28 for eligible countries
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
Fully funded PhD study at approved UK universities for citizens or refugees permanently resident in eligible Commonwealth countries. Apply through CSC Central and a nominating agency by 20 October 2026, 16:00 BST; nominators may set earlier deadlines.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission is accepting applications for full-time PhD study in the UK beginning September or October 2027. This award supports research with development impact in eligible Commonwealth countries. Applicants must apply both through CSC Central and to an approved national nominating agency or selected charitable nominator. A CSC portal submission alone is not sufficient. Nominators can set an earlier deadline than the CSC deadline.
The scholarship covers approved tuition fees, return airfare and a living stipend for 36 months of full-time study. The current published stipend is £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month at universities in the London metropolitan area. A study travel grant and some conditional fieldwork or family support may also be available.
Before applying, identify suitable UK universities and proposed supervisors, prepare a development-focused research proposal, and check the rules of your nominating agency.
Source and verification
Check the current official call before applying
Recorded source check: October 12, 2026. A stored check date does not guarantee that every field is complete or still current. Compare the provider, eligibility, funding and deadline with the live official call before applying.
Benefits
Approved full tuition fees; return airfare; current stipend of £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month for London metropolitan-area universities; study travel grant. Conditional fieldwork and family allowances may apply under CSC rules.
Eligibility summary
Citizen of, or refugee status granted by, an eligible Commonwealth country; permanent residence in an eligible country. Eligible countries listed by CSC: Bangladesh, The Gambia, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda and Zambia. Applicants must be available to begin UK study in September 2027, meet the stated degree standard, and be unable to afford UK study without the award.
Requirements
By September 2027, normally hold at least an upper second-class first degree, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification. Applicants must not have been registered for a PhD or MPhil leading to PhD before September/October 2026. A proposed UK supervisor statement and development-focused research plan are required. Check any additional criteria and earlier deadline set by the nominator.
Documents required
CSC requires proof of citizenship or refugee status, complete higher-education transcripts, two signed references, and a signed supporting statement from a proposed UK supervisor. Upload all documents to CSC Central by the CSC deadline. Check the official page for formatting and other required information.
Language/test requirements
How to submit applications
Verified against the current CSC 2027/28 call on 12 October 2026. CSC Central application portal loads. Applicants must submit to CSC Central and a separate nominating agency; nominator deadlines may be earlier.
Listing-board disclaimer
Prime Scholarship Alerts is an independent listing board, not the scholarship provider, university or funder. We do not select applicants, collect provider application fees or guarantee an award. Verify requirements, deadlines, funding, fees and application instructions through the current provider page before applying.