Full PhD / Doctorate

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2027

UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Award

Full

Awards

—

Eligible

India

Deadline

Rolling

Overview

The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2027 are offered by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and fund full-time doctoral study at selected UK universities. They cover 100% tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, return airfare, study travel grant, fieldwork expenses, mid-term return airfare, and an eligible family allowance. The scholarship is tenable for up to 36 months. Applicants must be citizens of or have refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country, be permanent residents there, and be unable to afford UK study without the scholarship. They need a first degree of at least upper second-class honours or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification, and must not be registered for a PhD or MPhil leading to a PhD before September/October 2026. Applications are made through the CSC's designated nominating agency in the home country, with up to three UK universities and supervisors listed in order of preference.

Eligibility

Must be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country or be a British Protected Person.
Must be a permanent resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
Must be available to start academic studies in the UK by the beginning of the UK academic year in September 2027.
Must hold, by September 2027, 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.
Must not be registered for a PhD or an MPhil leading to a PhD at a UK university or in their home country before September/October 2026.
Must be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
Must provide all required supporting documentation in the specified format.

Benefits

100% tuition fees.
Monthly living allowance.
Return airfare.
Study travel grant.
Fieldwork expenses.
Mid-term return airfare.
Eligible family allowance.

How to apply

Check your eligibility and confirm that your country is included among the eligible least developed countries and vulnerable Commonwealth states.
Identify a suitable PhD programme and approved UK university, and contact a potential UK PhD supervisor to obtain their support.
Apply through the CSC's designated nominating agency in your home country.
Complete the online CSC scholarship application, upload all required documents, and provide details of your proposed research project, study plan, and anticipated development impact.
Submit the application before the specified deadline.

Please note: scholarship values, the number of awards, eligibility and deadlines change from year to year and are indicative here. Always confirm the current details on the official provider or university website before applying, and beware of any third party asking for payment to “secure” a scholarship.

Apply on official site

Official source: https://www.wemakescholars.com/scholarship/commonwealth-phd-scholarships