The UK Government Announces Commonwealth Split-site (PhD) Scholarship Program 2025/26 for Students from Low-Income Countries. The UK Government is offering fully funded Commonwealth Split-site (PhD) Scholarships for students from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries.
This scholarship provides an opportunity to conduct 12 months of research in the UK, enhancing academic collaboration and supporting scholars who lack the financial means to study there.
Application Deadline:
Applications close at 16:00 GMT on Monday, 16 December 2024.
What is the Commonwealth Split-site (PhD) Scholarship Program?
This program allows doctoral candidates from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries (as classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee) to conduct a portion of their PhD research in the UK. The goal is to foster academic exchange and enable scholars to access world-class resources and facilities in the UK.
Eligibility Fields:
All academic disciplines are eligible for this scholarship.
Scholarship Type:
Fully funded scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for this program, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Be registered for a PhD at a university in an eligible Commonwealth country before the scholarship starts in September 2025.
- Ensure there is a robust institutional or departmental link between their home university and the proposed UK university. Both supervisors (home and UK) must provide statements detailing this link.
- Be available to begin academic study in the UK by September 2025.
- Hold a first degree of at least an upper second-class (2:1) standard or a lower second-class degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification (e.g., a Master’s degree).
- Demonstrate that they cannot afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
- Submit all required supporting documentation in the prescribed format.
Selection Criteria:
Applicants will be assessed based on:
- Academic Merit: The candidate’s academic record and achievements.
- Research Proposal Quality: The depth, innovation, and feasibility of the research proposal.
- Development Impact Potential: The anticipated contribution of the research to the applicant’s home country.
Required Documents
Applicants must upload the following documents:
- Proof of Citizenship or Refugee Status: A valid passport or national ID card showing a photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship.
- Academic Transcripts: Complete transcripts of all higher education qualifications, including current courses. If not in English, certified translations are required. Missing or incomplete transcripts will result in ineligibility.
- References: At least two signed references on institutional letterhead or sent via email with sender details.
- Supporting Statement from the UK Supervisor: Signed and on official letterhead, detailing the supervisor’s role and the institutional link.
- Supporting Statement from the Home University Supervisor: Similarly, signed and on letterhead, describing the collaboration and academic relationship.
Benefits of the Award
The scholarship provides comprehensive financial support, including:
- Airfare: Approved travel costs from the home country to the UK and return upon completion.
- Tuition Fees: Fully covered under an agreement between the CSC and UK universities.
- Living Allowance: £1,378 per month or £1,690 per month for those studying in the London metropolitan area.
- Warm Clothing Allowance: Where applicable.
- Study Travel Grant: To cover costs of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
- Child Allowance: If a scholar is widowed, divorced, or a single parent, a child allowance of £590 per month for the first child and £146 per month for up to two additional children under 16 years of age, provided they live with the scholar at the same UK address.
Scholarship Duration
The scholarship lasts 12 months and aligns with the academic year starting in September 2025.
See the list of eligible countries here.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via the CSC Central application system.
- For issues or inquiries, contact: info@cscuk.org.uk.
- Templates and technical guidance are available on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s website.
Eligible students are encouraged to apply early to avoid any last-minute challenges.
Take this opportunity to enhance your academic and professional journey with the Commonwealth Split-site (PhD) Scholarship!
