What the funding covers
- Full tuition fees, by agreement between the Commission and the UK university.
- A stipend of £1,712 a month, or £2,000 a month at London universities.
- Approved airfare to and from the UK, a study travel grant, fieldwork airfare, a paid mid-term visit home and family allowances.
- 36 months of full-time study.
What you will still pay
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Paid in full by agreement between the Commission and the university |
| Living costs | A stipend of £1,712 a month (£2,000 in London) |
| Flights to and from the UK | The Commission (approved airfare) |
Who can apply
- Citizens of, or refugees in, an eligible country who live there permanently: Bangladesh, The Gambia, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda and Zambia.
- A first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours, or a lower second plus a relevant postgraduate qualification.
- No age limit. For a 2027 start you must not have registered for a PhD before September or October 2026.
- Ghana and Kenya are not on the list.
Which nationalities can apply
Citizens of 17 countries can apply. Eligible countries for Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for least developed countries and fragile states, 2027–28 round. Official list, as of Nov 9, 2026.
See all 17
Bangladesh, Gambia, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Zambia
Documents you will need
- The CSC Central online application
- Your nominator's own application and documents
- Degree certificates and transcripts showing a 2:1, or a 2:2 with a relevant postgraduate qualification
How to apply
- Apply to a nominator, usually your country's national nominating agency or a selected NGO; the Commission does not accept direct applications.
- Complete the application in CSC Central, the Commission's online portal.
- Nominators put candidates forward to the Commission in December.
- The 2027–28 deadline was 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026; watch for the 2028–29 call.
Before you apply: things to know
- Nominating agencies set their own, earlier deadlines.
- Split-site PhD Scholarships for low and middle income countries are paused for 2026 and 2027.
- Funding covers 36 months of full-time study only.
- Ghana and Kenya are not eligible for this PhD scheme; their citizens can look at the Commonwealth Master's Scholarships.
Common questions
Can Ghanaians apply for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarship?
No. Ghana is not on the list of eligible countries for the PhD scheme. Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi and Rwanda are among the African countries that are.
How do I apply?
Through a nominator in your country, such as the national nominating agency, using the CSC Central portal. The Commission does not take direct applications.
When is the deadline?
The 2027–28 round closed on 20 October 2026. The 2028–29 round is not yet announced.