Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2025 is an initiative initiated by the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It is a commendable opportunity for those folks who are passionate and bright. Commonwealth Scholarship is a great alternative for applicants belonging to high-income nations to continue their studies to a doctoral level at famous institutions in the UK. It enables people to gain the appropriate knowledge, skills, and talents required for attaining the goals of sustainable development. It drives top-class graduates to initiate quality-oriented research.
The 2024 Commonwealth fellowship intends to promote candidates from diverse cultural origins, races, and economies through a consistent policy of non-discrimination. This fully-funded scholarship in the UK helps ensure promising cooperation and collaboration among foreigners. Moreover, it permits candidates to participate through a merit-based approach who cannot afford it otherwise. Its objective is to cater to the development necessities of Commonwealth nations with the help of supporting research so that it would finally have a considerable developmental influence.
The Commonwealth doctoral scholarship for international students is available for six development themes which include tailoring science and technology for development; strengthening health systems and capacity; promoting global prosperity; strengthening international peace, security, and governance; strengthening resilience and response to crises; accompanied with access, inclusion, and opportunity. This UK scholarship promotes the educational career of candidates and aids in polishing their abilities further, which will be a useful complement to their professional careers.
It gives financial aid to the candidates throughout their study in the UK, with a monthly stipend and additional family allowances. Moreover, it gives applicants a chance to grow while engaging with the world’s greatest mentors. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK attempts to give such scholarship, considering worldwide development objectives. It strives to merge British national interest with sustainable development goals by supporting future leaders and innovators and catching the attention of talented people.
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2025-26:
Host Country:
- United Kingdom
Host University:
- UK Universities
Funded by:
- The UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
Degree Level:
- PhD
Program Duration:
- The duration of the UK Commonwealth Scholarship for PhD students is 3 years.
Benefits of the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships in UK:
- It is a globally extensive scholarship program catering to multiple development themes.
- It provides complete financial assistance to those who cannot otherwise afford to study in the UK.
- It provides approved airfare from the home country to the UK and then the UK to the hometown after the award.
- It provides approved tuition fees and a stipend of £1,378 per month, or £1,690per month.
- It facilitates students with a warm clothing allowance if required.
- It provides students with study travel grants within or outside the UK.
- Family Allowances
- If you’re living with your spouse (no children), you can get £297 per month for up to nine months. (If your spouse also has a scholarship, this doesn’t apply, and other conditions may apply.)
- If you’re living with your spouse and children, you get £297 per month for your spouse, £297 for your first child, and £146 for each additional child under 16. (If your spouse also has a scholarship, other conditions apply.)
- If you’re a single parent, widowed, or divorced, you can receive £590 per month for your first child and £146 for each additional child under 16, as long as they live with you in the UK.
Eligibility Criteria of Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2025-26:
- An applicant must be a native or a refugee of eligible Commonwealth countries.
- An applicant must be a permanent resident of eligible Commonwealth countries.
- An applicant must be available for study in the UK by the beginning of the UK academic calendar, i.e., September 2025..
- A candidate must possess a first degree of at least upper second-class honors standard, or a second-class degree and a Master’s degree by September 2024. If an applicant is applying for a second UK Master’s degree, he must provide a reasonable justification because CSC does not fund such degrees.
- A candidate must not be registered for an MPhil or Ph.D. degree at UK University or any other native university before September/October 2025.
- An applicant must provide evidence that he might not otherwise afford to study in the UK.
- An applicant must have provided all the necessary documents in the required format.
- If a candidate is declared disabled, additional financial support will be provided after a thorough assessment.
How to Apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship in 2024:
- Apply using the CSC’s online application system.
- Applicants must also apply through a nominator, which could be a national nominating agency, selected universities, or NGOs.
- Each nominator has its own eligibility criteria and may set additional deadlines.
- Nominators forward candidates to the CSC for consideration.
- The CSC selects candidates from the nominated pool, though a nomination does not guarantee selection.
- Results will be shared by July 2025 via email, and applicants should monitor their inbox, including junk/spam folders.
Selection Criteria of the UK Commonwealth Scholarship 2025:
An applicant will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Academic merit
- Quality of the Study Plan
- Prospective Effect on the development of the home country
Documents Required for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2025:
- Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees
- Up to 10 publications and prizes
- Statement of relevance on employment (up to 300 words)
- A Letter of reference.
- Scanned copy of passport or national identity card.
Application Deadline:
- The application deadline for the Commonwealth Scholarships 2025 in the UK is 15 October 2024.
