Commonwealth PhD Scholarships: Eligibility, Requirements, & Assistance

Last Updated on August 29, 2024

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are available for applicants from Commonwealth least developed countries and fragile states, as classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), to pursue full-time doctoral studies at a UK university. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom (CSC) administers the UK government’s scholarship program, which is guided by international development objectives.  Moreover, it functions under the guidance of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP), indicating the UK’s enduring dedication to the Commonwealth. This promise reassures applicants from Commonwealth least developed countries and unstable governments by guaranteeing the program’s stability and continuation. 

Sustainable development and the national interests of the UK are combined in the work of the CSC. Attracting people with exceptional skills and discernible potential from all backgrounds and assisting them in becoming leaders and innovators when they return to their home countries creates chances for global collaborations and collaboration. Furthermore, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) funds Commonwealth PhD Scholarships. By promoting research that influences development, Commonwealth PhD scholarships aid in the growth of Commonwealth nations. We’ll go into great detail about the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships in this blog article.

What is the eligibility for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships?

The essential eligibility criteria that you will be required to meet are given as follows:

• Be a citizen or refugee of an eligible Commonwealth country or a British Protected Person.
• Be a permanent resident of an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be ready to begin academic studies in the UK by the start of the academic year in September 2024.
• By September 2024, you must have a first degree with at least upper second-class (2:1) honours 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 by September/October 2024.
• This scholarship is necessary to afford to study in the UK. 

How To Apply for Commonwealth PhD Scholarships?

The Commonwealth PhD Scholarship Application Process is simple, and you can easily apply by following these simple steps:

1. Applications for Commonwealth PhD scholarships for the 2024/25 academic year are closed.
2. Applications must be made via the CSC’s online application system.
3. Applicants are advised to submit applications early due to the busy online system.
4. Applicants must also apply to a nominating agency, which plays an essential role in the selection process. There are three kinds of nominating agencies: national, selected universities/university bodies, and selected non-governmental organisations/charitable bodies.
5. Each agency has its selection process and eligibility criteria, so understand them before applying.
6. Nominating agencies submit applicants to the CSC for consideration.
7. Each agency has its selection process and eligibility criteria.
8. Nominating agencies may set their closing dates for applications.
9. Nominations to the CSC will be made by December. 

What are The Documents Required For Commonwealth PhD Scholarships?

The list of the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships documents required are as follows:

1. A valid passport (or national ID card) with a photo, birth date, and citizenship country is proof of citizenship or refugee status in any qualifying Commonwealth nation.
2. Complete transcripts outlining all degrees earned in higher education, including current transcripts for any courses taken so far and certified translations in case the original language is not English. The application will be accepted if any transcripts are included or contain all the pages.
3. References from two or more people, in PDF format, signed on official letterhead, or in an email with the sender’s details prominently displayed.
4. A supporting statement from a potential supervisor in the UK in PDF format signed and on official letterhead or an email identifiable as the sender from at least one of the institutions named on the application form.

Eligible countries for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

Eligible countries for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

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

Financial Assistance under the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

The financial assistance that is included under the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships is as follows:

1. Approved round-trip airfare for the scholar from their home country to the UK after the award; the CSC will not pay for the tickets of dependents or travel expenses incurred before the award is confirmed.
2. A written agreement between the CSC and the UK university covers the approved tuition fee; scholars are not responsible for any portion of this cost.
3. Living allowance (stipend) at £1,347 per month (rates indicated at current levels) or £1,652 per month for students attending universities in the London metropolitan region.
4. Allowance for warm clothing, where applicable.
5. Study travel grant to help pay for study-related domestic or international travel.
6. If authorised, the amount allotted will cover the expense of conducting fieldwork abroad (one economy-class return ticket to the study site).
7. They paid mid-term visits (airfare) to the scholar’s home country unless the scholar has received a return ticket to their home country for fieldwork or has claimed or plans to claim spouse and child allowances during their scholarship.
8. The following family allowance rates (given at current levels):
9. Suppose a scholar is travelling with their spouse but does not have children. In that case, they will get a spouse allowance of £290 per month for a maximum of nine months provided they reside in the same UK address (unless the spouse also receives a scholarship; further criteria also apply).
10. Suppose a scholar is travelling with their spouse and kids. In that case, they will receive a monthly allowance of £290 for the spouse and £290 for the first child (and £143 for the second and third children under 16) if they live at the same UK address (unless their spouse is also receiving a scholarship; additional conditions also apply).
11. If a scholar is a widow, divorced, or single parent with children, their children must live with them at the same residence for the scholar’s child allowance of £576.61 for the first kid and £143 for the second and third under the age of sixteen.

The CSC will thoroughly evaluate a Scholar’s needs and eligibility for further financial help if they disclose that they have a handicap.

Wrapping Up!!

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are offered to applicants from the Commonwealth’s least-developed countries and fragile states to pursue full-time doctoral studies at UK universities. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) administers the scholarship program, guided by international development objectives. The CSC combines sustainable development with UK national interests, providing global partnerships and collaboration opportunities. Eligibility criteria include being a citizen or refugee, permanent resident, ready to begin academic studies in the UK by September 2024, having a first degree, and not being registered for a PhD or MPhil.

FAQs

Does Commonwealth offer PhD scholarships?

The Commonwealth provides PhD scholarships through the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships program, intended for students from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries. These scholarships cover tuition fees, airfare, and living costs.

How do I get a 100% scholarship for PhD abroad?

Focus on top universities that offer total funding to secure a 100% scholarship for a PhD abroad. Apply for scholarships like Fulbright, Erasmus Mundus, and university-specific grants. Vital academic records, research proposals, and recommendations are required.

Can I get a full scholarship for PhD in Australia?

Australia offers full PhD scholarships through programs such as the Research Training Program (RTP) and university-specific scholarships. These scholarships cover tuition and living expenses and are typically awarded based on academic achievement and research potential.

Can Indians get a Commonwealth Scholarship?

Yes, Indian students are eligible for Commonwealth scholarships. They can apply for various programs, including the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, which provide students from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries with funding for tuition, travel, and living expenses.