Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP)

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom (CSC) is responsible for managing Britain’s contribution to the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP).

The CSC supports over 800 awards annually. Awards are funded by the Department for International Development (for developing Commonwealth countries), and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Scottish Government (for developed Commonwealth countries), in conjunction with UK universities. The CSC also nominates UK citizens for scholarships to study in other Commonwealth countries under the CSFP.

The CSC makes available seven types of award:

  • Scholarships for PhD research
  • Scholarships for Masters study
  • Shared Scholarships with UK universities in support of Masters programmes
  • Academic Fellowships for staff serving in developing country universities
  • Split-site Scholarships for PhD students to spend up to one year in the UK
  • Professional Fellowships for mid-career professionals in developing countries
  • Distance Learning Scholarships for developing country students to study UK Masters degree courses while living in their own country

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are for applicants from least developed countries and vulnerable states, as classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), in the Commonwealth, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university.

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and offers a vivid demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth. By attracting individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds and supporting them to become leaders and innovators on returning to their home countries, the CSC’s work combines sustainable development with the UK national interest and provides opportunities for international partnerships and collaboration.

To apply for this scholarship, applicants 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 academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2026.
  • By September 2026, hold 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).
  • 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.
  • Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
  • Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format.

Provisional selection for a scholarship is subject to the agreement of the university for which candidates are selected as part funding for the scholarship is provided by that university.


The Commonwealth PhD scholarships are for study in the UK beginning in September/October 2026.

Applicants must have applied for admission to an eligible programme of study at the University of Edinburgh and hold an unconditional, or a conditional offer only on finance, at the time of the application.


Applications for Commonwealth PhD scholarships for the 2026/27 academic year are now open. The scholarships are for study in the UK beginning in September/October 2026.

Applications to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) must be made via the following CSC application link: Apply here - CSC Central

The deadline for submitting an application is 16:00 (UK Time) on 14th October 2025.

The CSC is unable to accept any applications or documentation not submitted via above CSC Central link. If you experience any issues when applying, please contact info@cscuk.org.uk


Applicants can expect to hear the outcome of their applications by July 2026. The CSC will contact all applicants by email and they should ensure all folders of their email accounts are monitored, including junk mail and spam folders. A scholarship offer may be withdrawn if a candidate is emailed but does not respond within a specified time. 


For general information about applying for Commonwealth Scholarships or Fellowships, please visit the CSC's FAQs page.


The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission


Contact details

Address

Woburn House
20-24 Tavistock Square
London
WC1H 9HF

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