Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for High Income Countries)

Overview

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are for candidates from high income countries for full-time doctoral study at a UK university.

Funded by the UK Department for Education (DfE) and the host university, Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for high-income countries support research that will have an impact in a field relating to sustainable development.

These scholarships are intended to enhance individual teaching and research capacity, leading to increased institutional capacity in academic and other sectors in Commonwealth countries, and will contribute to UK higher education and research by attracting high-calibre international candidates and encouraging links and collaboration.

The scholarships are considered to support scholars who cannot afford to study in the UK without additional financial support. Applicants from traditionally marginalised or under-represented groups and those who have overcome significant disadvantages or other barriers in their educational journey so far will be given priority when making selections.

Please note the eligibility requirements include that candidates must hold an unconditional offer, or an offer conditional only on finance, for their chosen university at the time of application and be ready to commence their studies in September/October 2024.

Eligibility criteria

To be considered for these scholarships, candidates must:

• Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country.

• Show evidence that they are currently permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country. Candidates must have been living in an eligible Commonwealth country for a period of two years prior to the date they submit their application, which must be clear within the application.

• Not be registered for or have started a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD at a UK University prior to the start of the Scholarship and be available to start the Scholarship and academic studies in the UK in September/October 2024 (exact date to be agreed by the CSC). The Scholarship will not be offered to anyone who has already started their PhD in the UK prior to September 2024.

• Hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree) by the time they apply for the Scholarship, with evidence of the degree to be submitted within the application.

• Not have commenced or be currently registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, in their home country or elsewhere.

• Hold an unconditional offer or a conditional offer conditional only on finance for the 2023 UK academic year from all of the UK universities listed on their application, to be submitted as part of the application.

• Provide references from at least 2 individuals, in PDF format, signed and on institution letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender’s details.

Application closing date: 27 February 2024.