Scholarship • United Kingdom

Commonwealth PhD Scholarship (Least Developed Countries and Fragile States)

A UK government scholarship for citizens of least developed Commonwealth countries and fragile states (as classified by the OECD) to pursue a fully funded PhD at a UK university. Administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, it covers tuition and examination fees, airfare, a monthly stipend (around £1,378, or £1,690 in the London area), a study travel grant, and a warm clothing allowance. Applicants must be citizens of (or hold refugee status in) an eligible Commonwealth country, hold at least an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree plus a relevant Master's, and be unable to afford to study in the UK without scholarship support; candidates apply via the CSC's Electronic Application System and may also need a nominating body. The most recent cycle (for September 2026 entry) closed 14 October 2025; the next cycle is expected to open around autumn 2026 for 2027 entry, with exact dates to be confirmed by the CSC.