UK (Commonwealth Union)_ According to the latest announcement from the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), applications for the highly sought-after Commonwealth Split-Site PhD Scholarships for the academic year 2025/2026 are now open. These scholarships are customized for skilled candidates hailing from low- and middle-income countries within the Commonwealth, as classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), providing them the opportunity to conduct research at a UK university for 12 months.
Also read: Study these trending courses at top UK university with a £10,000 scholarship!
The Commonwealth Split-Site Scholarships, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), are an integral part of the UK’s international development strategy. They are part of a broader commitment under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP), which aims to foster research, development, and leadership across Commonwealth countries. By attracting talented individuals with clear potential for future leadership, the scheme contributes to sustainable development in developing nations while strengthening the UK’s ties within the Commonwealth.
Also read: US university launches $2 million scholarship for Indian students
Scholarship benefits
The Commonwealth Split-Site PhD Scholarships offer several financial benefits to successful applicants. These include:
- Airfare: The scholarship covers the cost of an approved airfare from the candidate’s home country to the UK, as well as the return trip at the end of the award. To note, the CSC does not cover costs for dependents or for travel made before the scholarship is confirmed.
- Tuition fees: The CSC directly pays the full tuition fees to the UK university, ensuring that scholars do not have to pay for any portion of their education.
- Stipend: Scholars will receive a living allowance of £1,378 per month, with a higher rate of £1,690 per month for those attending universities in the London metropolitan area.
- Additional allowances: Scholars may also be eligible for a warm clothing allowance (if applicable) and a study travel grant for research-related travel within the UK or overseas.
- Child allowance: Single parents or those with dependents may qualify for additional support, with a child allowance of £590 per month for the first child and £146 per month for additional children under 16.
Also read: Grand scholarship: Pakistan opens doors to 100 Bangladeshi students
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet several criteria, including the following, to be eligible for the Commonwealth Split-Site PhD Scholarship.
- Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens of or granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Residency: Applicants must be permanent residents in one of the eligible Commonwealth nations.
- PhD enrollment: Candidates must be registered for a PhD at a university in their home country by the time the scholarship begins in September 2025.
- Institutional link: There must be a formal institutional or departmental link between the candidate’s home university and the proposed UK university. This link should go beyond individual collaborations and necessitate a supporting statement from both academic supervisors to guarantee the validity of the application.
- Academic qualifications: Candidates should hold at least an upper second-class (2:1) honors degree or a lower second-class degree, along with a relevant postgraduate qualification, by the time the scholarship begins.
- Financial need: Candidates must show that they are unable to afford study in the UK without the scholarship.
- Supporting documentation: Applicants must submit all required supporting documentation in the correct format.
Selection process
The selection of candidates will be based on the following key criteria:
- Academic merit: The candidate’s academic record and achievements will be considered.
- The research proposal will be evaluated based on its quality and feasibility, with a particular emphasis on its potential to contribute to the development of the candidate’s home country.
- Impact on home country: The potential impact the candidate’s research and future leadership could have on their home country’s development.
Application deadline
By 16:00 GMT on Monday, December 16, 2024, applicants for the Commonwealth Split-Site PhD Scholarships for the 2025/2026 academic year must submit their applications. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early to ensure they meet all requirements. For more information and to apply, visit the Commonwealth Split-Site PhD Scholarships official page. This prestigious scholarship represents a unique opportunity for talented individuals from the Commonwealth to pursue world-class research in the UK while contributing to the growth and development of their home countries.
