United Kingdom · UK universities
Overview
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, funded by the UK FCDO and run by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, support candidates from low and middle income Commonwealth countries for a full PhD at a UK university, on themes such as science and technology for development, health systems, governance and resilience.
2027 round: CSC online application closes 20 October 2026, 16:00 BST. You must also apply to your national nominating agency (in Pakistan: HEC) by its own deadline, and to your UK university with a supervisor statement.
Who can apply
Citizens (or refugees) and permanent residents of one of 17 eligible countries — Bangladesh, The Gambia, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Zambia — with at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or a second-class degree plus a relevant master's, unable to afford UK study without the scholarship.
- Eligible nationalities
- Bangladesh, Gambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia
- Academic stage
- Master's, PhD
- Minimum grade
- UK 2:1 honours or equivalent (or second-class + master's)
Mandatory conditions
- Apply through your national nominating agency (HEC for Pakistan) as well as online to CSC.
- You must not already be registered for a UK PhD.
- You must show you cannot afford UK study without the award.
Funding package
Full PhD tuition fees, a stipend, return airfare, research training support grant and fieldwork costs.
- Tuition covered
- Stipend or salary covered
- Travel covered
- Accommodation not stated
- Health insurance not stated
Application dates
- Deadline
- 20 Oct 2026 · 16:00 BST (CSC online application) Closes in 2 days
- Duration
- 3–4 years
Verification
- Status
- Verified against the official source
- Official source
- cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
- Last checked
- 18 Oct 2026
- Listing updated
- 18 Oct 2026
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