Commonwealth PhD Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission · All India
| Scheme Name | Commonwealth PhD Scholarships |
| Provided By | Commonwealth Scholarship Commission |
| Eligibility Summary | PhD · No income limit |
Status check
The previous application cycle (2025–26) closed on 20 October 2026. The upcoming 2026–27 cycle is expected to open soon. We will update the links here as soon as the official notification is released.
View active scholarships you can apply for today →About the Program
Comprehensive guide for Commonwealth PhD Scholarships. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
£1,712/mo (approx. ₹45.0 Lakh+)
The Commonwealth PhD Scholarship is a fully funded program, covering approved tuition fees directly paid to the UK university, along with a monthly living stipend. The monthly stipend is approximately £1,712 for universities outside London and £2,000 for those in the London metropolitan area. In addition to tuition and stipend, the scholarship includes return economy-class airfare from the scholar's home country to the UK, a warm clothing allowance, a study travel grant for academic-related travel, provision for fieldwork, and visa costs. Family allowances are also available for eligible dependents, including a spouse allowance of £313 per month and child allowances of £313 for the first child and £154 for subsequent children (up to three, under 16, if living with the scholar in the UK). A thesis grant for printing and binding costs is also covered. Converted to INR (at an approximate rate of 1 GBP = 105 INR), the annual value including estimated average tuition fees (approximately £25,000) and stipend ranges from roughly 4,450,000 to 4,870,000 INR. There is no mention of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts, as this is a UK-based scholarship.
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Nationality/Residency:Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person, and be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
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Academic Qualification:By September 2026, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree (2:2) and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master's degree).
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Study Status: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.
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Financial Need:Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
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Start Date:Be available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2026.
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Target Degree:For full-time doctoral study at a UK university.
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Country Classification:Primarily for applicants from least developed countries and vulnerable states, as classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), in the Commonwealth.
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Development Impact:Proposed studies must demonstrate a clear development impact aligned with the CSC's six development themes.
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Age Limit:There is no age limit, but applicants should check any employer restrictions on leave entitlement.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | PhD |
| Course / Stream | PhD |
| Minimum Marks | 60% |
| Income Limit | No income bar |
| Category / Caste | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓Proof of citizenship or refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country
- ✓Full transcripts detailing all higher education qualifications (undergraduate and postgraduate), including up-to-date transcripts for any courses currently being studied, with certified translations if not in English
- ✓At least two signed references on institutional letterhead
- ✓Supporting statement from a prospective UK supervisor (for PhD candidates only)
- ✓Research proposal
- ✓English language proficiency certificate (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL)
- ✓University admissions/offer letters from UK universities (typically applicants are encouraged to apply to at least two UK universities)
Selection Process
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Candidates for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are selected through a rigorous two-stage process. Applicants must first be citizens of or hold refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person, and be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country, such as India. They must demonstrate that they would be unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship. Academically, applicants must hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree (2:2) combined with a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master's degree), by September of the year their scholarship would begin. For Indian students, this generally translates to roughly 60% or more marks, with specific criteria of 60% in Humanities and Social Science, and 65% in Engineering and Technology, Science, and Agriculture.
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The application process requires submission through two mandatory channels: the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's (CSC) online application system (CSC Central) and the national nominating agency in India (the Ministry of Education via its SAKSHAT portal). The national nominating agency conducts an initial shortlisting of applicants and forwards a restricted quota of top nominees to the CSC. The CSC then evaluates these nominated candidates based on three core criteria: academic merit, the quality of their study plan, and their potential development impact in their home country. Scholarships are awarded under six key development themes, and applicants' studies should align with these themes. For PhD candidates, a supporting statement from a prospective UK supervisor is also a crucial requirement.
Renewal Policy
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The Commonwealth PhD Scholarship typically supports full-time doctoral study for three to four years, covering the full duration of the PhD program
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Renewal conditions are not explicitly detailed as an annual re-application process
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rather, it is implied that satisfactory academic progress and adherence to the terms and conditions of the scholarship are required for continued funding throughout the approved study period
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The scholarship is designed to enable scholars to complete their doctoral studies without interruption, assuming good standing.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Understand Eligibility and Requirements
* Ensure you meet all nationality, residency, academic, and financial eligibility criteria as outlined on the official CSC website. * Verify that your proposed PhD study aligns with one of the six CSC development themes. * For PhD, you must hold at least an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree, or a lower second-class (2:2) with a relevant Master's, by September of the award year. For Indian applicants, minimum marks are generally 60% or 65% depending on the field. * You must not be registered for a PhD or MPhil leading to a PhD at a UK university or in your home country before September/October of the award year (e.g., 2027 for the 2027/28 cycle). **
- 2Secure a UK Supervisor
* Identify and contact potential supervisors at UK universities where you wish to pursue your PhD. Obtaining a supporting statement from a prospective UK supervisor is a mandatory requirement for your application. **
- 3Prepare Necessary Documents
* Gather all mandatory documents, including proof of citizenship, full academic transcripts (undergraduate and postgraduate, with certified translations if not in English), at least two signed references on institutional letterhead, your research proposal, and an English language proficiency certificate (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL). **
- 4Dual Application Process
* CSC Central Application: Complete and submit your application through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's (CSC) online application system. This portal is where you'll detail your academic history, employment, referees, study plan, and development impact statement. * National Nominating Agency Application (India): Simultaneously, you must apply through India's national nominating agency, the Ministry of Education, via its SAKSHAT portal. You will typically need to upload your completed CSC Central application as part of your Ministry submission. * Crucial Note: Both applications are mandatory. Missing either one will result in disqualification. **
- 5Meet Deadlines
* Pay close attention to the application deadlines for both the CSC Central portal and the Ministry of Education's portal. For the 2027/28 academic cycle, applications opened on September 8, 2026, and the CSC Central deadline is 16:00 BST on October 20, 2026. The Ministry of Education's deadline may be slightly earlier, so verify this directly on their portal. **
- 6Status Tracking
* While specific real-time tracking guides are not detailed in official sources, final selection outcomes are typically announced by the CSC around July of the year the scholarship would begin (e.g., July 2027 for the 2027/28 cycle). Notifications are generally communicated through the application portals or via email.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Can I apply directly to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission for a PhD scholarship?
No, you cannot apply directly to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). You must be nominated by an approved nominating body in your home country. For Indian students, this typically means applying through the Ministry of Education via its SAKSHAT portal, in addition to completing the CSC's online application system. Both applications are mandatory for consideration.
What expenses does the Commonwealth PhD Scholarship cover?
The Commonwealth PhD Scholarship is fully funded and comprehensive. It covers approved tuition fees at your UK university, a monthly living stipend (higher for London-based universities), return economy-class airfare from your home country to the UK, a warm clothing allowance, and a study travel grant. It also includes provision for fieldwork, family allowances for eligible dependents, a thesis grant for printing and binding, and visa costs.
What are the minimum academic qualifications required for this scholarship?
To be eligible for a Commonwealth PhD Scholarship, applicants must hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree (2:2) combined with a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master's degree), by September of the year their scholarship would commence. For Indian students, this generally means achieving roughly 60% or more marks, with specific requirements of 60% in Humanities and Social Science, and 65% in Engineering and Technology, Science, and Agriculture disciplines.
Plan your study abroad
Use these guides to plan your next steps. Check this scholarship's eligibility before choosing a university or program.
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IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website before final submission.