Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2027/28 | King's College London

The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2027/28 at King’s College London offer a fully funded opportunity for talented researchers from eligible Commonwealth countries to pursue a full-time PhD in the United Kingdom.

Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), the scholarships are designed for applicants from least developed countries and vulnerable states who demonstrate strong academic potential and whose proposed research can contribute to the development of their home countries.

For the 2027/28 academic year, applications opened on 8 September 2026. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission deadline is 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST. Applicants must also apply through an approved nominating agency and secure admission to their chosen PhD programme at King’s College London.

The scholarships support full-time doctoral study beginning in September or October 2027 and are intended for candidates who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

Commonwealth PhD Scholars receive comprehensive financial support.

The scholarship provides:

• Full approved tuition fees
• Monthly living allowance of £1,712
• Monthly living allowance of £2,000 for universities in the London metropolitan area
• Approved airfare from the scholar’s home country to the UK
• Return airfare at the end of the scholarship
• Study travel grant for approved study-related travel
• Support for approved overseas fieldwork, including an economy-class return airfare to the fieldwork location
• Paid mid-term visit airfare to the scholar’s home country, subject to the applicable conditions
• Eligible spouse and child allowances
• Additional financial support following an assessment for scholars with disabilities

King’s College London confirms that, under its partnership with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, scholars funded through this scholarship receive support towards their tuition fees. As King’s College London is located in London, the applicable current stipend rate is £2,000 per month.

The Commonwealth PhD Scholarship at King’s College London can be considered a fully funded PhD scholarship for successful recipients.

It covers approved tuition fees, provides a monthly living allowance and includes approved travel support. Additional allowances may be available for eligible scholars with families, disabilities or approved research-related travel.

Applicants should still review the scholarship conditions carefully because family allowances are intended as contributions rather than necessarily covering the complete cost of supporting dependants in the UK.

The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships support:

• Full-time PhD programmes
• Doctoral research programmes
• Three-year doctoral study

At King’s College London, applicants must apply for an eligible PhD programme and satisfy the university’s doctoral admission requirements.

The CSC does not support four-year PhD programmes under this scholarship. The scholarship is intended to fund one doctoral qualification for a maximum tenure of 36 months.

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are offered under six Commonwealth Scholarship Commission development themes.

These themes are:

• Science and technology for development
• Strengthening health systems and capacity
• Promoting global prosperity
• Strengthening global peace, security and governance
• Strengthening resilience and response to crises
• Access, inclusion and opportunity

Within these themes, eligible PhD research at King’s College London may cover a wide range of academic disciplines, depending on the availability of an appropriate doctoral programme and supervisor.

Potential areas can include:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Engineering
• Biomedical Sciences
• Medicine and health research
• Public Health
• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Environmental Sciences
• Climate and sustainability
• Mathematics
• Natural Sciences
• Economics
• Finance
• Business and Management
• Education
• Law
• Politics
• International Relations
• Public Policy
• Development Studies
• Social Sciences
• Humanities
• History
• Philosophy
• Languages
• Literature
• Culture
• Media and Communication

The proposed research must demonstrate a clear developmental relevance and align with one of the CSC development themes.

Applicants should confirm that their specific PhD programme and proposed research are eligible before applying.

The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are specifically intended for applicants from least developed countries and vulnerable states in the Commonwealth.

For the 2027/28 scholarship, the CSC currently lists the following eligible countries:

Bangladesh, The Gambia, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Zambia.

Applicants must be citizens of, or have refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person, and must be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.

Applicants for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2027/28 must generally:

• Be a citizen of or have refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be available to begin doctoral study in the UK in September 2027.
• By September 2027, hold a first degree equivalent to at least a UK upper second-class (2:1) Honours standard.
• Applicants with a lower second-class degree may be considered if they also hold a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master’s degree.
• Be unable to afford doctoral study in the UK without the scholarship.
• Provide all required supporting documents in the specified format.
• Not already be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, before September/October 2026.
• Meet the admission requirements of the selected PhD programme.
• Obtain the required support from a proposed UK academic supervisor.
• Apply through an approved Commonwealth nominating agency.
• Meet any additional requirements established by the nominating agency and King’s College London.

There is no age limit for Commonwealth Scholarship Commission applications.

Applicants are also expected to return to their home country after completing the scholarship and contribute to its development.

Applicants should prepare all required documentation before submitting the CSC application.

Required documents include:

• Valid passport or national identity card showing photograph, date of birth and citizenship.
• Full transcripts of all higher education qualifications.
• Current transcripts for qualifications still in progress.
• Certified English translations where documents are not in English.
• References from at least two referees.
• Supporting statement from a proposed UK PhD supervisor.
• Academic qualification documents.
• Research proposal and detailed study plan.
• Information about publications and prizes, where applicable.
• Employment history, where applicable.
• Development Impact statement.
• Personal statement.
• Five-year career plan.
• Long-term career plan.
• Information about voluntary activities and leadership experience.

The supervisor supporting statement must be submitted in the required format and should confirm that the proposed supervisor is prepared, in principle, to supervise the applicant and that appropriate research facilities are available.

King’s College London Admission Requirement

Applicants interested in the King’s College London option must separately apply for admission to an eligible PhD programme.

The CSC scholarship application and King’s College London admission process are separate. Applicants should begin the university admission process early because some PhD programmes may have their own admission deadlines and requirements.

The CSC requires applicants to list up to three preferred universities and supervisors in order of preference. Applicants are strongly encouraged to include second and third choices in case their first choice cannot accommodate the proposed research.

The final university placement decision is made by the CSC.

Applicants should ensure that every required document is uploaded through the CSC Central application system before the deadline. Missing required documentation can make an application ineligible.

Applicants need to complete both the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission application and the relevant university and nominating-agency processes.

The general process is:

• Check that your country is included in the CSC eligible-country list.
• Identify a suitable PhD programme at King’s College London.
• Review the King’s College London doctoral admission requirements.
• Identify potential academic supervisors whose research matches your proposed project.
• Contact the relevant supervisor and discuss your research proposal.
• Apply for admission to the chosen PhD programme at King’s College London.
• Obtain the required supporting statement from a proposed King’s supervisor.
• Identify the appropriate Commonwealth nominating agency.
• Check the nominating agency’s own eligibility requirements and deadline.
• Create an account in the CSC Central application system.
• Complete the Commonwealth PhD Scholarship application.
• Prepare the Development Impact statement and study plan.
• Upload transcripts, identification documents, references and supervisor support.
• Submit the CSC application before 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST.
• Complete the nominating-agency application before its own deadline.
• Wait for the nomination and CSC selection process.

The CSC does not accept direct applications. Applicants must apply through a participating nominator in addition to submitting the CSC application.

Nominating Agencies

The Commonwealth PhD Scholarship is not a direct-only application.

The CSC works with:

• National nominating agencies
• Selected non-governmental organisations
• Selected charitable bodies

National nominating agencies are the main application route. Each nominating organisation can establish its own application procedure, eligibility requirements and deadline.

Important Dates

For the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2027/28:

• Applications opened: 8 September 2026
• CSC application deadline: 20 October 2026
• Closing time: 16:00 BST
• Nominating agencies submit nominations: December 2026
• Study begins in the UK: September/October 2027
• Expected scholarship outcome: By July 2027
• Scholarship duration: Up to 36 months

Nominating agencies may establish earlier deadlines, so applicants should check their country's nomination process before submitting the CSC application.

Applicants should therefore check their relevant nominating agency as early as possible because its deadline may be earlier than the CSC deadline.

Nominators are expected to submit their nominations to the CSC in December 2026.

Being nominated does not guarantee that the applicant will receive a scholarship.

Applications are assessed competitively by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.

The principal selection criteria are:

• Candidate merit, including academic experience
• Quality of the proposed research
• Potential development impact on the applicant’s home country

Applicants should demonstrate strong academic ability and explain clearly how their proposed PhD research can contribute to development at local, national or international levels.

The application should also explain:

• Why the proposed research is important
• How the research addresses a development challenge
• How the applicant will use the knowledge and skills gained
• What changes are expected after completing the PhD
• Who will benefit from the proposed work
• How the impact will be measured
• How the proposed study supports the applicant’s long-term career plans

The CSC makes the final scholarship selection from the pool of nominated candidates.