Applications for the Commonwealth PhD scholarships for Least Developed Countries are now open for the next academic year. The 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. The closing date for applications (including all supporting documentation) is 18 October. The scholarships is fully funded, monthly stipends up to £1,236.
Scholarship Description
The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for Least Developed Countries is provided by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) for the UK government, led by international development objectives. It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP), offering a vivid demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth. It attracts individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds and supports them to become leaders and innovators. The scholars, 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.
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.
Award Benefits | Commonwealth PhD Scholarships
Each scholarship provides:
- Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award.
- Approved tuition fees.
- Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,236 per month, or £1,516 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels).
- Warm clothing allowance, where applicable.
- Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
- Provision towards the cost of fieldwork undertaken overseas (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, at various rates.
See Also: Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships to Study in UK
Candidate Eligibility | Commonwealth PhD scholarships
To apply for these scholarships, candidates 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 of subsequent year.
- By September start 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 at a UK university or in your home country before September/October start year.
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
- Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format
Also Check: OIST PhD Scholarships and Research Internships (Fully Funded) in Japan
Application Procedure
How-To-Apply: Applications to the Commonwealth PhD scholarships must be made:
- Using the CSC’s online application system
- To one of the nominating agencies as well as to the CSC.
- Nominating agencies will then put forward candidates to the CSC. The CSC does not accept direct applications for these scholarships.
Application Deadline: October 18.
