Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for least developed countries and vulnerable states)
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
UK FCDO-funded 36-month PhD scholarships at UK universities for candidates from 17 least developed and vulnerable Commonwealth countries. Ghana is NOT on the 2027/28 eligible-country list. Applications open 8 September 2026 and close 20 October 2026, 16:00 BST.
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Eligibility
- Who can apply
- Bangladesh, Gambia, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique and 12 more
- Education required
- Bachelors completed
- Fields
- Any field of study
- Language
- The CSC does not require IELTS; the UK university may require proof of English for admission
- Residency
- Must be a citizen of, or have refugee status in, one of the 17 eligible countries and be permanently resident there
- Also required
- Ghana is not on the 2027/28 eligible-country list for this programme
- Hold by September 2027 at least a 2:1 first degree, or a 2:2 plus a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master's)
- Not be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university or at home before September/October 2026
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship; commit to returning home after the award
- Apply to the CSC via CSC Central and to a national nominating agency or approved NGO nominator
- Supporting statement from a proposed UK supervisor at one of the named institutions is compulsory
About this opportunity
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are for applicants from least developed countries and vulnerable states (OECD DAC classification) in the Commonwealth, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university under the CSC's six development themes. They fund research with developmental impact and build teaching and research capacity at home.
For 2027/28 only 17 countries are eligible: Bangladesh, The Gambia, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda and Zambia. Ghana is not eligible (Ghanaians should consider the Commonwealth Master's and Shared Scholarships). Candidates apply via CSC Central and a national nominating agency, need a 2:1 (or 2:2 plus a postgraduate qualification), must not already be registered for a PhD, and must upload a supporting statement from a proposed UK supervisor.
- Level
- PhD
- Where
- United Kingdom
- Duration
- 36 months full-time
- Difficulty
- Very high · about 10 weeks to prepare
Funding
Fully funded
- tuition
- stipend
- travel
- research costs
- family allowance
Full tuition fees; stipend GBP 1,712 per month (GBP 2,000 London); return airfare; study travel grant; overseas fieldwork airfare where approved; paid mid-term home visit; spouse allowance GBP 313/month (max nine months) and child allowances; disability support.
What you will need
- Passport or national ID
- Academic transcripts
- Reference letters (2)
- Research proposal
- Other documents
Passport/national ID; full transcripts (certified translations if needed); at least two signed references in PDF; a signed supporting statement from a proposed UK supervisor; detailed plan of study/research proposal; Development Impact statement; personal statement and career plans, all submitted on CSC Central by the deadline.
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