Commonwealth PhD Scholarship

The University of Nottingham has excellent links with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and is a popular destination for Commonwealth scholarship holders.

What are Commonwealth PhD Scholarships?

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)-funded awards that enable students from least developed countries and fragile States to undertake full-time doctoral study at a UK university.

These awards are for high-calibre graduates with the potential to undertake world-class research of a developmental nature, and to become influential leaders, teachers, or researchers in their home countries. They cover approved tuition fees, approved airfare, and a living allowance stipend, amongst other financial assistance. Full details are on the Commonwealth website.

Subject areas

Scholarships are offered under six themes:

• Science and technology for development
• Strengthening health systems and capacity
• Promoting global prosperity
• Strengthening global peace, security and governance
• Strengthening resilience and response to crises
• Access, inclusion and opportunity

This scheme is now open for applications for 2025/26 academic year.

To apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship, you must:

• be a Commonwealth Citizen, refugee or 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 2025
• by September 2025, hold or be predicted to gain a first degree of at least 2:1 honours standard or a 2:2 degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a masters degree)
• be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
• provide Commonwealth with all supporting documents in the required format
• not be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD at a UK university or in your home country before September/October 2025

You must also ensure that you have an offer to study at the University of Nottingham on a relevant course.  Please ensure that you make your academic application as early as possible to ensure there is time for your academic application to be considered.  As a guide, we recommend that you allow at least 6 weeks for your academic application to be considered.

See the Commonwealth Scholarships website for full details of the scholarships available and their eligibility criteria.

Applications for Commonwealth PhD scholarships for the 2025/26 academic year are now closed.