Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2025-26 Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2025-26 The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) offers Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships for talented and highly motivated young people in low or middle-income countries. All the students of the Commonwealth countries who cannot afford to study in the UK universities and who cannot afford to pursue their PhD in the UK have a brilliant chance to fulfill their dream to study in the top universities of the UK. The scholarship is specifically for PhD students who are committed to achieving sustainable development goals through research and studies. That is, the PhD Commonwealth scholarship is to ensure equipment and educational aid of quality are offered to able and worthy candidates.
Moreover, since they are quality graduates and PhD candidates, they score based on the research interest in developing contribution of research to a brighter future for higher education in Commonwealth countries and also UK. This fully-funded scholarship demonstrates collaboration between the Uk and low-income or middle-income countries or Commonwealth countries. The Commonwealth PhD scholarships 2025 is solely offered for six CSC development themes.
These themes include; science and technology, health system and capacity strengthening, building a peaceful, secure, and well-governed world, strengthening reliance and response to crises, and access, inclusion, and opportunity. Thus, the fully-funded international scholarship in the UK aids financially all those students who want to progress in the above-mentioned fields. Commonwealth scholarship helps in the promotion of historically disadvantaged communities and countries. Besides all the benefits mentioned above, the international scholarship gives all the possible required financial aid to the PhD candidates during their stay and study in the UK.
This excellent opportunity for PhD candidates will therefore make a difference in the communities by creating talented scholars. All those candidates who think they are eligible to apply for this scholarship must not miss this chance. Here, in the following paragraphs, the whole guideline about eligibility criteria and procedure to apply and benefits of this Commonwealth scholarship 2025-26 has been included.
Application Guidelines of Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships
Host Country: United Kingdom
Funded By: The UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Purpose of Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships
The Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships sponsor and fund PhD students from Commonwealth low and middle-income countries to upgrade their academic and research capacity. Such scholarships enable splitting of PhD study between universities based in Commonwealth countries and host universities based in the United Kingdom.
Key Objectives:
Capacity Building: Share knowledge and support capacity building in the candidate’s home country.
Research Collaboration Research collaborations between the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth countries are encouraged.
Skills Development: Equip the students with higher learning skills and leadership innovation for specialized professions.
International Issues: International issues are identified and dealt with high-quality research applicable for the candidate’s home country and the global community.
This scholarship caters for tuitions, travel costs, living expenses, and other allowances whereby scholars can devote themselves thoroughly to research without any financial burden.
Eligibility Criteria Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships
- The applicant must be a Commonwealth country citizen.
- The applicant can be a British protected person.
- Even those whose applications are accepted within an eligible Commonwealth country and those holding refugee status qualify.
- This category applies when the applicant is a permanent resident of a commonwealth country.
- The applicant must be enrolled for a PhD in any university of the Commonwealth country at the time of confirmation of the scholarship in September 2025.
- Then, there has to be a relationship between the applicant’s host university and the UK’s university.
- Evidence supporting this element has to be made available by faculty members of the university that confirm the candidature’s eligibility.
Benefits of Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships
- I would get full tuition.
- The researchers have a monthly stipend of £1,378.
- If the university the scholar attends is within the area of London Metropolitan, then the monthly stipend will be £1,652.
- A round-trip air ticket will be provided.
- I would be provided travel and study grants.
- & Only where applicable-Warm clothes allowance would be provided.
- Firstly, to widowed, divorced, or single parents, first child allowance of £590 and second and third child allowance of £146 shall be paid on a monthly basis.
Application Process
An application is made for Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships as follows:
- Eligibility Verification
- Therefore, ensure you meet these eligibility criteria which include:
- Citizenship or permanent residence in any Commonwealth country.
- Registration in a PhD course at your home country university.
- The Split-site Scholarship may be pursued as part of a research proposal.
- Choose a UK Institution
- Identify one UK University aligned to your research interests.
- An employer must obtain a contract with a UK organization.
- Prepare Important Documents
- Completed application form, usually online.
- Academic transcript and a degree certificate.
- Research Proposal: The Importance of the Study.
- Letters of recommendation from:
- Your home country supervisor.
- Your nominated UK supervisor:.
- Proof of citizenship or refugee status.
- Make An Application
- Applications should be made through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s online application system.
- Submit any additional applications required by your chosen UK institution.
- Nominations
- These should be submitted accompanied with a nominating agency and contain:
- National nominating bodies in your home country.
- Selected universities or university bodies.
- Choice Choosing
- Shortlisted candidates are assessed on:
- Academic merit.
- Quality of the research proposal.
- Impact on the home country.
- Award Notice
- Once selected candidates have been informed, travel and study arrangements are made.
Note: Deadline and other requirements change yearly, so it is best to visit the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and at the UK university for details.
Documents Required
- Completed Application Form
- Academic Transcripts and Certificates
- Research Proposal
- References
- Proof of Citizenship or Residency
- Support Letters from Supervisors
- Nomination Documentation
Application Deadline
All applications must be submitted by 16 December, 2024.
Application Tips
Understand Eligibility Requirements
- Carefully go through eligibility criteria and whether you fall into it.
Focus on your research’s relevance to your home country’s development needs.
Choose an Appropriate UK Institution and Supervisor
- Search for UK institutions specializing in your area of interest.
- A very good reason why the chosen institution and supervisor are appropriate for your study.
Propose a Solid Research Proposal
- Highlight:
- Significance: The importance of your research for your home country and globally.
- Feasibility: Clarify your methodology and timeframes.
- This study would thus align with the objectives of Commonwealth to respond to development challenges.
- Crystal clear, well ordered and error free.
Persuasive Letters of Recommendation Conclusion
- Personal, handwritten letters from both home and UK supervisors.
- Ensure that they stress your research potential and the need for conducting the split-site study.
Academic Record of Achievement
- This encompasses all academic documents and achievements.
- MENTION Publications, Awards, or other research experience.
Selection Criteria Address
- Customize your application using the CSC’s criteria for evaluation:
Academic value - The quality of the research proposal.
- How it may affect your country
Officially use the business language:.
- Avoid using jargon or overly technical terms.
- Finally, proofread your application for clarity and grammatical accuracy.
Follow Instructions Closely
- Give word count, formatting requirements, and deadlines.
- Submit all the documentations required in proper form.
Planning Ahead
- Start early so there will be enough time to go through documents, secure references, and finish the application.
Seek Counseling
- Seek advice from past recipients or mentors on how to fill up the application.
- Leverage your home institution’s international office for resources.
How to Apply
- The candidate should apply to a university that has a funding agreement with CSC. Universites which offer part-funding for students are listed below.
- The application is submitted directly to the CSC using an online application system at the CSC.
- An application not submitted through the online system of the CSC will not be accepted.
- Such files that will be required in the process include.
- Copy of Passport or national ID showing a clear picture and complete personal details.
- All those education transcripts.
- Annex Supporting statement of the supervisor from your home country.
- Supporting Statement from the UK University’s Supervising Supervisor.
- Third party letter of reference.
- You can download a template application form containing all these questions here. Technical guidance is available here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are your eligibility criteria for the scholarship?
- Applicants must:
- Be a citizen or have refugee status in any Commonwealth country.
- Be registered for a PhD at an institution based in their home country.
- Have an academic cooperation with a UK institution.
What does the money pay for?
- The scholarship typically covers:
- Fees levied by the UK institution:.
- Travel costs one way from UK.
- Maintenance allowance during their stay in UK.
- Research costs and other allowances.
For how long is the scholarship?
The research might be carried out in a single visit over a period of 12 months or in several visits as decided.
Can one apply without first establishing a UK supervisor?
No. You have to obtain agreement from a UK supervisor to complete your application. Pre-application with a UK university is required.
Do I need to pay for the application?
No. The application process via the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission is free of charge.
Do I have to be a citizen of a Commonwealth country to apply?
No, because this scholarship is only limited to a Commonwealth citizen or refugee with Commonwealth status.
May I bring dependents with me when I study in the UK?
The scholarship is not guaranteed to fund dependents. For details on that, see the conditions of the scheme for that year.
How does the applicant submit?
Applications are submitted online using the CSC application portal. Documents must be uploaded before the deadline is due.
How is selection determined?
- Applications will be evaluated on:
- Academic merit.
- The research proposal was good and feasible.
- Potential impact of the research on the applicant’s home country.
When can I expect to hear about my results?
The notification timelines are different, but successful applicants are usually notified months after the application deadline as confirmation.
May I reapply if my application is rejected?
Yes, and you can apply for the subsequent years if you still have the requirements.
How do I find more information?
To apply, go to the CSC’s official website or contact your national nominating agency for more information.
