learnifyhub- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Host University: Any University in the UK
- Scholarship Worth: Full tuition and a monthly stipend of £1,652
- Sponsor: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
- Study Level: Postgraduate (PhD)
The Commonwealth PhD scholarship is put in place for high-quality graduates from countries in the Commonwealth that are least developed. The reason these graduates are targeted for the scholarship is so that they can, after their postgraduate studies, take on world-class research that would play a huge role in the development of their respective countries. Recipients of this scholarship award are tipped to become influential personalities, leaders of communities, and researchers.
The Commonwealth PhD scholarship is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through the office of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) for students with outstanding academic talent, identifiable potential, and evident leadership traits. This scholarship program is proof of the UK government’s dedication to ensuring all-round development within the states of the Commonwealth.
The CSC takes full charge of tuition, gives scholars a monthly stipend of £1,300, and can get as high as £1,652 for those in the metropolitan areas. Also included in the package is a flight ticket to the UK for the commencement of the program, a return flight ticket to home countries at the completion of the program, and a monthly stipend for dependents- wife and/or children of the student who have traveled with them to the UK.
How To Apply For The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships Scholarship 2024/2025
Applications for the next stream of postgraduate scholarship (2024/2025) is already underway and every interested candidate must apply via the CSC’s online application system which will be closed by October 27, 2023, at exactly 17:00 hours BST (16:00 GMT). We recommend that applicants submit their applications as early as possible. This is because the online application system is projected to be very busy in the few days leading to the deadline.
It is necessary to note that the application does not end on the CSC online system, applicants must also apply to nominating agencies. These nominating agencies will then offer prospective scholarship candidates up to CSC for consideration. Some of the nominating agencies you can apply to include National nominating agencies, select universities or University bodies, and some global NGOs and charitable bodies.
Also, note that the deadline to apply to nominating agencies might differ from that of CSC as they reserve the right to not only set their own application closing dates but also to oversee their criteria and selection process. A nominating agency can have its own application rules and eligibility criteria.
After sending the details of their nominated candidates to the CSC for consideration, It is expected that the final results of the selection will be announced by July 2024. Successful candidates will be contacted by CSC via email. It is important to always check every mail folder regularly as the CSC reserves the right to withdraw a candidate’s scholarship status if they don’t respond to the email within the specified period of time.
Required Documents to Apply:
Applicants for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships must have the following documents ready:
- Proof of identity and belonging to an eligible commonwealth country. Could be a valid passport or national ID card that shows a candidate’s name, photograph, and date of birth.
- Full transcripts from a higher institution showing the candidate’s academic records.
- Reference letters in PDF format from at least two individuals of good repute. from at least two individuals, in PDF format. They must be signed and include an institutional letterhead.
Who Is Eligible For The Commonwealth PhD Scholarship?
- Citizens or permanent residents of eligible commonwealth countries, or a British-protected person.
- Holders of at least an upper second-class (2:1) in their first degree, or a lower second-class (2:2) and a relevant master’s degree.
- Candidates who would normally not be able to afford a postgraduate degree in the UK
- Not already registered for a PhD program before September/October 2024.
You can check the CSC UK website to find out more information about your eligibility status.
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Emmanuel