King's College London, University of London

What you'll study

Scholars undertake a full‑time PhD at a UK university and must secure a place on their chosen PhD programme (for example at Kings College London) as part of the application. Research should align with the CSCs development themes and demonstrate potential to contribute to the development needs of the scholars home country. Specific taught modules are not specified by the CSC; study is research‑based toward a doctoral thesis.

Entry requirements

To be eligible applicants must be citizens of, or refugees from, an eligible Commonwealth country or a British Protected Person and permanently resident in that country. By September 2027 applicants must hold at least a first degree of upper second‑class (2:1) honours or a lower second‑class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Masters). Applicants must be available to start studies in the UK at the start of the 2027/28 academic year and must not be registered for a PhD or MPhil leading to a PhD at a UK university or in their home country before September/October 2026. Applicants must be unable to afford UK study without the scholarship and must provide all required supporting documentation. Disabled applicants who do not meet the 2:1 requirement may be considered through contextualised nomination via the Commonwealth Disabled Peoples Forum (CDPF) nominator. All scholars commit to returning to their home country after the award; switching to a different UK visa to remain is not permitted.

Career prospects

The scheme is aimed at graduates who plan to become influential leaders, teachers or researchers contributing to development in their home countries. Outcomes emphasised by the CSC include enhanced individual teaching and research capacity and increased institutional capacity in academic and other sectors in Commonwealth countries. The award also encourages links and collaboration with UK higher education and research environments.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Each scholarship covers an approved return airfare to the UK, approved tuition fees (covered by agreement between the CSC and the host university), a CSC‑set stipend for living costs, a study travel grant, provision towards the cost of approved overseas fieldwork (one economy return airfare to the fieldwork location), and a paid mid‑term visit airfare to the scholars home country unless the scholar claims certain family allowances or has received a return airfare for fieldwork. Family allowances are available at set rates and additional financial support is offered after full needs assessment for applicants who disclose a disability. For full application instructions and the CSCs selection criteria (candidate merit, quality of research proposal, and potential development impact), applicants must apply via the CSC online system, apply to a nominator as required by the CSC, and secure a PhD place at their chosen UK university.