A Guide to Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships help students from Commonwealth countries, including India, study in the UK by paying for tuition fees, travel, and living costs. These scholarships are funded by the UK government to support research that helps with development. To apply, students must go through a nominating agency.

The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships give money to students from Commonwealth countries so they can study for a full-time PhD or do research at a UK university. Think of it as your golden ticket (without the chocolate factory) that covers tuition fees, living costs, and airfare.

In this guide, I’ll outline the various Commonwealth Scholarship schemes, explain their benefits, and provide a straightforward approach to applying—no magic needed. So, grab a cup of coffee and let’s embark on this academic journey together. By the end, you might feel ready to tackle your thesis!

The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and are available for students from various Commonwealth countries. There are three main types of scholarships:

• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for least developed countries and fragile states: These are for students from economically underdeveloped or politically unstable Commonwealth countries to pursue a full-time PhD at a UK university.
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for high-income countries: These scholarships support citizens of wealthier Commonwealth countries to study full-time PhDs in the UK.
• Commonwealth Split-site PhD Scholarships: These allow students from specific low-and-middle-income Commonwealth nations to spend 12 months of their research at a UK university. The funding only covers expenses for the time spent in the UK.

Your research must fit one of the following six themes, set by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC):

• Access, inclusion and opportunity
• Promoting global prosperity
• Science and technology for development
• Strengthening global peace, security and governance
• Strengthening health systems and capacity
• Strengthening resilience and response to crises

The eligibility criteria for all three scholarship schemes are largely the same. Depending on your nationality, you’ll only be eligible for one of the three schemes. Once you’re sure which scholarship scheme applies to you, you’ll need to tick these boxes:

• Be a citizen (or have been granted refugee status) by an eligible Commonwealth country
• Be a permanent resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
• Have a 2.1 undergraduate degree or a 2.2 undergraduate degree with a postgraduate degree (like a Masters)
• Be able to demonstrate your financial situation and that you wouldn’t otherwise have been able to afford PhD study in the UK

Oh, and if you're after a Split-site Scholarship, your home university has to have some ties to the UK university—no random matchmaking here!

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are quite generous but don’t forget—only the time you spend in the UK for the Split-site Scholarship is covered. Here’s what the main Commonwealth PhD golden ticket will grant you:

• Full tuition fee waiver (yes, please!)
• Airfare to and from your home country (maybe bring back some good sweets)
• Monthly living stipend worth £1,378 (£1,690 if you fancy living in London)
• Study-related travel expenses (because you’ll definitely need to escape the library now and then)

Got a family tagging along? You’re in luck! You’ll get extra cash for them too:

• Only your spouse? You’ll receive £290 per month for up to nine months—because a happy partner means fewer eye rolls.
• A spouse and child? You get the spouse allowance plus £290 for the first child and £143 for the second and third (as long as they’re under 16).
• Just kids? £576.61 for the first child and £143 for the second and third (again, under 16). Because who doesn’t love an extra few quid to help with those endless LEGO sets?

All applicants need to apply directly to the CSC via their website. However, depending on the scholarship scheme you’re applying, there might be a few other steps in the application process.

Applicants from the least developed and fragile commonwealth states must also apply to a nominating agency which includes national nominating agencies, selected universities or selected non-governmental and charitable organisations. These agencies put forward candidates to the CSC for consideration and usually have their own selection process.

Split-site Scholarship applicants can only apply to a UK university that has a part funding arrangement with the CSC. You can see the full list of eligible universities on the Commonwealth Scholarships website.

To complete your application, you will also need to submit these supporting documents:

• Proof that you are a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country (like a National ID)
• Full transcripts from your previous degree(s)
• Two references

Once you’ve applied, the CSC will assess you on three main criteria. Your academic merit, the quality of your research proposal and the impact of your research on your home country.

Applications for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarship for least developed countries and fragile states for the 2024/25 academic year are open until 17 October 2023. Applications for the other schemes are yet to open for the next academic year.

• Start early and stay organised – Don’t leave everything to the last minute. You’ll need your transcripts, references, and a solid research proposal, so give yourself plenty of time to gather everything.
• Polish your research proposal – Make sure your research fits with the Commonwealth Scholarship’s goals, like improving global health or promoting peace. This is not the place for ideas like "how British biscuits impact diplomacy" (trust me, it won’t work).
• Be honest about your finances – The scholarship is for people who really need the money to study in the UK. Be clear about why you wouldn’t be able to afford a PhD without the funding.