Full funding · Study in the UK
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships
Fully funded PhD: tuition, stipend, airfares, thesis grant and study travel allowance
- Funder
- Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK
- Level
- Doctoral
- Coverage
- Full
About this scholarship
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships fund doctoral study in the UK for candidates from low and middle income Commonwealth countries, including Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan.
Awards target research with clear development impact for the scholar's home country.
🗓️ Deadline
Nominating agency deadlines typically fall between October and December each year
Award cycles shift year to year. Confirm the current deadline on the official site before you plan around it.
Eligibility
- Citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country
- A first degree at upper second class or above plus a relevant master's
- Applying through a nominating agency or approved university route
- Research aligned with one of the CSC development themes
How to apply
- Secure a provisional supervisor and offer at a UK university
- Apply through your country's nominating agency by its deadline
- Complete the CSC online application in parallel
- Final results are released in spring for autumn entry
- Your counsellor can coordinate the university offer and nomination timelines
Studying in the UK
World-leading universities, a two-year post-study work route and degrees recognised everywhere. Post-study work: 2 years (Graduate Route).
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Commonwealth PhD Scholarships: your questions, answered
What does the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships cover?
Fully funded PhD: tuition, stipend, airfares, thesis grant and study travel allowance. Commonwealth PhD Scholarships fund doctoral study in the UK for candidates from low and middle income Commonwealth countries, including Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan.
Who is eligible for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships?
Core requirements are: Citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country; A first degree at upper second class or above plus a relevant master's; Applying through a nominating agency or approved university route; Research aligned with one of the CSC development themes. Eligibility rules are set by the funder and can change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
When is the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships deadline?
Nominating agency deadlines typically fall between October and December each year. Because award cycles shift year to year, always check the official programme website for the current date.
Is the university placement service really free?
Yes, our service is 100% free. Counselling, university matching, application support and guidance right up to your offer cost you nothing. There are no consultation fees and no agent fees, because we are funded by our university partners. The only cost you take on is the university’s own tuition or semester fees, which you pay directly to the university after you accept your offer.
What exactly do you help with?
Everything from start to finish: understanding your options, shortlisting the right programme, preparing your application and personal statement, submitting to the university, and guiding you through the offer, enrolment and visa paperwork, all with a dedicated counsellor.
Which universities can you place me into?
We place students into a range of UK and international universities, and we shortlist the best-fit options for your grades, budget and goals rather than pushing a single school. On some pages we run dedicated free placement drives for a specific partner university, and we are always adding more partners. Tell us your goals and your counsellor will map out your options.