Scholarship

Commonwealth Split-site PhD Scholarships

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK Original Source

About This Opportunity

Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships are for candidates from low and middle income countries, as classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), in the Commonwealth, to conduct research at a university in the UK for 12 months. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), it operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and offers a vivid demonstration of the UK's enduring commitment to the Commonwealth. By attracting individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds and supporting them to become leaders and innovators on returning to their home countries, the CSC's work combines sustainable development with the UK national interest and provides opportunities for international partnerships and collaboration. The purpose is to widen access to UK equipment and expertise for quality doctoral candidates from Commonwealth countries, and to contribute to UK and Commonwealth higher education and research through collaboration and partnerships. The intended beneficiaries are high-quality graduates from Least Developed and middle-income countries (including fragile and conflict affected states) who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK but who have the potential to become influential leaders, teachers, or researchers in their home countries, and whose proposed research has a developmental and leadership focus.

12 - 13 mo
By July 2025 for 2025/26 applications

Who Can Apply

Region
Global
Citizenship
BD, BZ, BW, CM + 40 more
Residency
BD, BZ, BW, CM + 40 more
Project in
United Kingdom
Applicants
individual
Organizations
academic
Priority for
disabled, first_generation, low_income

Application Details

Institutional approval

Stages

  1. 1 single_stage

Required documents

cv research_proposal letters_of_recommendation transcripts

Review process

Applications are reviewed based on academic merit, quality of research proposal, and potential impact on development of applicant's home country.

Additional benefits

  • travel_support
  • housing

Restrictions

  • reporting_requirements
  • employment_restrictions
  • geographic_restrictions

Post-award obligations

  • final_report
  • acknowledge_funder
  • return_if_unused