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Government scholarship, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC), funded by the FCDO

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

Fully funded UK PhD for citizens of least developed and vulnerable Commonwealth countries, applied for through a nominating body.
Official page for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (opens in a new tab)

What it pays

Full tuition fees, monthly stipend of GBP 1,712 (GBP 2,000 in London area), return airfares, study travel grant and a paid mid-term trip home, for 36 months.

Fields: Any field

Who can apply

Citizens of 11 listed countries

Eligible country codes: GM, LS, MW, MZ, NG, RW, SL, TZ, TG, UG, ZM

  • You must be a citizen or refugee of an eligible country and permanently resident there. Eligible African countries: The Gambia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia.
  • You need a first degree of at least a 2:1 by September 2027, or a lower second plus a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a master's.
  • You must not have started your PhD (or an MPhil leading to one) before September or October 2026.
  • You must show you cannot afford UK study without the scholarship. No IELTS test is required by the CSC, though universities may ask for English evidence.

Deadline

Closes in October. 2027/28 round: 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026. Nominators set their own earlier deadlines.

Deadlines move a little every year and some close early. Confirm the date on the official page before you plan around it.

Documents you will need

  • Passport or national ID showing photo, date of birth and citizenship.
  • Full transcripts for all higher education, with certified translations if not in English.
  • Two references on institutional letterhead or from a clearly identified email address.
  • A supporting statement from a proposed UK supervisor at one of your named universities.

How to apply, step by step

  1. Step 1: Choose universities and supervisors

    Pick three UK universities and supervisors in order of preference and apply to those universities in advance.

  2. Step 2: Contact a nominator

    Apply to your national nominating agency or a participating NGO or charity, such as the Commonwealth Disabled People's Forum for contextualised nominations.

  3. Step 3: Apply on CSC Central

    Complete the online application and upload your documents as PDFs before the deadline.

  4. Step 4: Wait for nomination and decision

    Nominators nominate candidates in December 2026 and outcomes are expected by July 2027. Nomination does not guarantee selection.
Official page for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (opens in a new tab)

Conditions if you accept

  • You must return home after the award and cannot switch to a UK graduate visa.
  • You must live in the UK during the award and need approval for overseas travel or paid work.
  • Awards can be ended for unsatisfactory conduct, progress or attendance.

Tips for a stronger application

  • Approach potential UK supervisors early. A supporting statement from one is mandatory, and it takes time to get.
  • Check the eligible country list first. Many African countries, such as Ghana and Kenya, are not on the PhD list but are on the master's list.
  • Check your nominator's own deadline today, as it may be earlier than 20 October.

Student visa guides

Winning the award does not include the visa. Plan your application with our guide for the host country.

Common questions

Sources

Checked against these official pages on 17 Oct 2026.

What we can and cannot promise

Jandify Global gives guidance and prepares documents. We do not decide visas, admissions or scholarships, and we cannot promise an outcome. Those decisions belong to embassies, universities and funders. Read the no guarantee policy.

This result uses the general rules. Your own documents, finances and history can change it. Have an advisor check your exact case.

  • GovernmentFully funded

    Chevening Scholarships

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    UK government scholarship for future leaders to study a one-year master's at a UK university, open to most African countries.

    Where
    United Kingdom
    Level
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    Pays
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    Full details on Chevening Scholarships
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    Where
    United Kingdom
    Level
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    Pays
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    Deadline
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    Full details on Clarendon Fund Scholarships
  • GovernmentFully funded

    Commonwealth Master's Scholarships

    Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC), funded by the FCDO

    Fully funded one-year UK taught master's for citizens of listed Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

    Where
    United Kingdom
    Level
    Master's
    Pays
    Full tuition fees, return airfare, a monthly stipend of GBP 1,712 (GBP 2,000 in London), and a study travel grant. Family allowances are only a partial contribution.
    Deadline
    Opens around mid-year and closes in October. 2027/28 round: 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026. Your nominating agency may set an earlier deadline.
    Full details on Commonwealth Master's Scholarships
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