The Commonwealth PhD Scholarship is a UK government award for full-time doctoral study at a UK university. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) runs it for applicants from least developed countries and vulnerable states. Funding comes from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Indian citizens cannot apply. The eligible countries are Bangladesh, The Gambia, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda and Zambia. India is not on that list. Indian students who want a Commonwealth award should look at the CSC’s other scholarship types and check each one’s eligibility. The CSC’s scholarships page lists several types, including Master’s Scholarships.
The 2027-28 round has closed. The CSC’s amounts are in pounds, and the official page gives no rupee figure.
What you get
For a selected candidate from an eligible country, the award works like this:
- The CSC covers one approved fare to the UK and one back at the end of the award, but not fares for dependants or trips made before the award is confirmed.
- The CSC and the university agree the full fee, so the scholar pays none of it.
- The monthly stipend is £1,712 outside London and £2,000 at universities in the London metropolitan area.
- A study travel grant covers study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
- Fieldwork abroad may be covered by one economy return fare, where approved.
- Spouse and child allowances are paid at set monthly rates, and the CSC calls them only a contribution to family costs.
Funding runs for 36 months of full-time study at an approved UK university that has a part-funding agreement with the CSC for the programme.
Who can apply
Every applicant must meet these conditions:
- Be a citizen of, or hold refugee status from, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
- Live permanently in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be ready to start UK study by the academic year beginning in September 2027.
- Hold, by September 2027, a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours, or a lower second class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master’s.
- Not have registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to one, before September or October 2026.
- Be unable to pay for UK study without this scholarship.
Employees of the UK government, staff of the Association of Commonwealth Universities or the British Council, and CSC Commissioners, along with some of their relatives, cannot apply. Former employees of those bodies may apply three years after they leave. The CSC states there is no age limit for its applications. Scholars must commit to returning home after the award ends.
How to apply
The CSC does not accept direct applications, and the 2027-28 round is closed. The steps below show the process the official page sets out, so you can plan for a future round.
- Each nominator sets its own selection process and may add eligibility criteria, so check its rules first.
- National nominating agencies are the main route, and selected NGOs and charitable bodies can also nominate.
- Name three UK universities and supervisors in order of preference, with reasons. Apply for admission to your preferred universities before the scholarship application.
- Complete the form on CSC Central, the CSC’s online system. The CSC cannot accept applications or documents submitted any other way. Prepare your answers offline first.
- Upload references and supporting statements by the deadline. Late uploads are not accepted.
Documents you need
- A copy of a valid passport or national ID card showing your photo, date of birth and citizenship.
- Full transcripts of all higher education, with certified translations if not in English. Missing transcripts or pages make the application ineligible.
- References from at least two people, signed, on institutional letterhead or from a clearly identified email.
- A signed supporting statement from a proposed UK supervisor at one of the universities you name.
- A Development Impact statement in four parts, covering the outcomes you expect and how you will measure them.
- A list of up to 10 publications and prizes.
How students are selected
The CSC judges candidate merit, including academic experience, the quality of the research proposal, and the likely impact on the candidate’s home country. A nomination does not guarantee selection. The CSC emails applicants, so check spam folders, because an offer may be withdrawn if you do not reply in time.
Renewal
The official page does not describe a renewal. The award is for one degree, and funding is not extended to a qualification higher than the one selected for.
Important dates
- Applications for 2027-28 closed at 16:00 BST on Tuesday 20 October 2026.
- Nominators send candidates to the CSC in December 2026.
- Applicants can expect the outcome by July 2027.
- Awards are for study starting in September or October 2027.
The official page covers 2027-28 only, so it shows no dates for the 2026-27 round.
Official sources
- Commonwealth PhD Scholarships - Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
- Scholarships - Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
Checked against these official sources on 5 November 2026.
