Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

These scholarships are offered by the and funded by the UK Department for International Development. They are for students from least-developed Commonwealth countries and fragile states who want to study for a PhD in the UK. 

This scholarship covers: 

  • your tuition fees 
  • return travel costs 
  • a monthly stipend 
  • an allowances package 

Candidates will be chosen based on: 

  • academic merit of the candidate  
  • quality of the plan of study  
  • potential impact on the development of the candidate’s home country 

 

Eligibility 

You must:  

  • be a , a citizen, or a refugee in, one of the eligible countries and live there 
  • be available to start your studies in September 2025
  • not be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at either a UK university, in your home country or elsewhere before September 2025 
  • have the 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 
  • provide all supporting documentation in the required format 

You must also have either a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours or a second class degree (2:2) and a relevant postgraduate qualification (a master’s degree) by September 2025. 

 

Eligible courses 

This scholarship is for study across a range of subject areas. It is offered to students whose studies fall under one of these 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 crises 
  • Access, inclusion and opportunity 

 

Eligible countries 

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

 

Deadline for applying 

15 October 2024 at 4pm UK time (16:00 BST, 15:00 GMT)

How to apply  

1. Apply through your local or . 

2. Apply for your PhD programme at Southampton, stating that you wish to be considered for Commonwealth Scholarship funding. 

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission provides .