Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for low and middle income countries)

Published by Leonarda

Deadline: 19 December 2018
Open to: citizens of an eligible Commonwealth country, not having commenced or be currently registered for a PhD, in their home country or elsewhere
Benefits: fully funded

Description

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are for candidates from low and middle income Commonwealth countries, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university.

Funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), Commonwealth PhD Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. These scholarships are offered under six themes:

  1. Science and technology for development
  2. Strengthening health systems and capacity
  3. Promoting global prosperity
  4. Strengthening global peace, security and governance
  5. Strengthening resilience and response to crises
  6. Access, inclusion and opportunity

Eligibility

To apply for these scholarships, you must:

  • Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person;
  • Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country;
  • Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2019;
  • By October 2019, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree);
  • NOT be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university before September/October 2019;
  • NOT have commenced and be currently registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, in your home country or elsewhere;
  • Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.

The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change. They are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination, and encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates. For further information on the support available to candidates with a disability, see the CSC disability support statement.

Terms and conditions: 

For full terms and conditions – including further details of the scholarship themes, tenure and placement, value of the scholarship, and general conditions – see the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2019 terms and conditions.
You should apply to study at a UK university which has a part funding agreement with the CSC. View a full list of UK universities with part funding agreements.

You may propose to study at one university for a four-year PhD, but this must be based in a recognised Doctoral Training Centre. You must research this option thoroughly (further details can be found on the websites of the individual UK research councils) and justify its added value compared with a three-year PhD. As the CSC will fund only a limited number of four-year PhDs, if you do choose this option, you are strongly advised to also propose at least one three-year PhD choice.

Benefits

Each scholarship provides:
  • Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependents, nor the cost of journeys made before your award is confirmed)
  • Approved tuition fees
  • Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,084 per month, or £ 1,330 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area(rates quoted at2018-2019 levels)
  • Warm clothing allowance, where applicable
  • Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas
  • Provision towards the cost of fieldwork undertaken overseas (usually the cost of one economy class return airfare to your fieldwork location), where approved
  • Paid mid-term visit (airfare) to your home country (unless you have claimed (or intend to claim)
  • Spouse and/or child allowances during your scholarship, or have received a return airfare to your home country for fieldwork)

How to apply?

Before applying, we suggest you to check the terms and conditions.

Find more information about this scholarship and how to apply by visiting the official webpage.