Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2027/2028
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC)
Quick Facts
A word from Eli, founder of Rise Africa Scholars
MSc Information Security — Unicaf Scholar
While you wait for a fully funded opportunity, don’t put your education on hold. I completed my MSc through Unicaf — studying online from Nairobi while working full-time. The tuition discount made it genuinely affordable, and the degree is from an accredited UK university.
If you’re serious about advancing your career now, I’d encourage you to explore it. I only recommend what I’ve used myself.
About This Scholarship
The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships support high-quality graduates from Commonwealth countries to undertake world-class research of developmental nature at UK universities for full-time doctoral study beginning in September/October 2027. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, these scholarships aim to develop research and teaching capacity in home countries while enhancing UK higher education through international collaboration.
What This Scholarship Covers
- Full tuition fees covered
- Monthly stipend of £1,712 (£2,000 in London metropolitan area)
- Approved airfare from home country to UK and return
- Study travel grant for study-related travel within UK or overseas
- Fieldwork allowance (one economy class return airfare to fieldwork location, where approved)
- Paid mid-term visit airfare to home country (conditions apply)
- Spouse allowance of £313 per month for maximum nine months (conditions apply)
- Child allowance of £313 per month for first child and £154 per month for second and third child under age 16 (conditions apply)
- Child allowance of £622 per month for first child and £154 per month for second and third child under age 16 for widowed, divorced, or single parents (conditions apply)
Who Can Apply
- 1 Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
- 2 Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
- 3 Be available to start academic studies in the UK by September 2027
- 4 By September 2027, 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)
- 5 Not be registered for a PhD or an MPhil leading to a PhD at a UK university or in home country before September/October 2026
- 6 Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
- 7 Provide all supporting documentation in the required format