Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2027
University of Sussex
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 University of Sussex Commonwealth PhD Scholarships provide fully funded doctoral study opportunities for talented candidates from eligible low-income Commonwealth countries classified as least developed countries and fragile states by the OECD Development Assistance Committee. The programme, funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), supports research contributing to sustainable development and begins in the 2027/2028 academic year.
What This Scholarship Covers
- Full overseas PhD tuition fees
- Monthly stipend
- Return travel to the United Kingdom
- Research Training Support Grant
- Fieldwork costs
Who Can Apply
- 1 Be a citizen of or have refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country
- 2 Be permanently resident in an eligible country
- 3 Be available to begin studies in the UK by September/October 2027
- 4 Hold by October 2027 a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a second-class degree combined with a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master's degree)
- 5 Not already be registered for a PhD or MPhil leading to a PhD at a UK university before September/October 2027
- 6 Demonstrate inability to afford doctoral study in the UK without the scholarship
- 7 Have identified a suitable research project and established contact with a potential University of Sussex supervisor