Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for least developed countries and vulnerable states

The 2026 Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are fully funded opportunities for applicants from the least developed and vulnerable Commonwealth countries to pursue full-time doctoral studies at UK universities. The scholarships are funded by the UK Department for Education (DfE) and managed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), aiming to support research with developmental impact and strengthen capacity in scholars’ home countries.

Full tuition fees; monthly stipend; airfare to/from the UK; clothing allowance; study travel grant; fieldwork provision; mid-term visit to home country; child allowances; disability support.

Applicants must be citizens or refugees of eligible Commonwealth countries, resident in an eligible country, and able to start studies in the UK by September 2026; they must hold a first degree with 2:1 or equivalent (or a relevant Master’s) by September 2026, and be unable to afford UK study without this scholarship.

Apply through the CSC online system via nomination by a national body or selected university; submit required documents and await CSC evaluation and results.