Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for least developed countries and vulnerable states)

Who it is for

• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are for candidates from least developed countries and vulnerable states in the Commonwealth, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university.
• Applications for Commonwealth PhD scholarships for the 2027/28 academic year will open on Tuesday 8 September..
• The scholarships are for study in the UK beginning in September/October 2027..
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are for applicants from least developed countries and vulnerable states, as classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), in the Commonwealth, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university..
• The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives.
• It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and offers a vivid demonstration of the UK's enduring commitment to the Commonwealth.
• By attracting individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds and supporting them to become leaders and innovators on returning to their home countries, the CSC's work combines sustainable development with the UK national interest and provides opportunities for international partnerships and collaboration..
• Purpose: Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Commonwealth PhD scholarships contribute to the development needs of Commonwealth countries by supporting research that will have a developmental impact.
• They also enhance individual teaching and research capacity leading to increase institutional capacity in academic and other sectors in Commonwealth countries, and will contribute to UK higher education and research by attracting high-calibre international applicants and encouraging links and co

Good to know

Each scholarship provides:. Approved airfare from the Scholar's home country to the UK and return at the end of the award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor the cost of journeys made before the award is confirmed).. Approved tuition fees: full fees are covered by agreement between the CSC and the UK university, and Scholars are not liable to pay for any part of the tuition fee.. Stipend (living allowance) at a rate set by the CSC.. Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.. Provision towards the cost of fieldwork undertaken overseas (the cost of one economy class return airfare to the fieldwork location), where approved.. Paid mid-term visit (airfare) to the Scholar's home country, unless they have claimed or intend to claim spouse and/or child allowances during their scholarship or have received a return airfare to their home country for fieldwork.. Family allowances (at set rates). If a Scholar shares that they have a disability, a full assessment of their needs and eligibility for additional financial support will be offered by the CSC.. The CSC's family allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards the cost of maintaining a Scholar's family in the UK. The true costs are likely to be considerably higher, and Scholars must be able to supplement these allowances to support any family members who accompany them to the UK.. For more information, please visit the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships website.. Exact official public KCL record revalidated 2026-09-11, unsupported precision omitted.