Applications are open for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarship 2027 at the University of Sussex in the UK.
The fully funded scholarship supports candidates from eligible Commonwealth countries to pursue a PhD in the UK, with priority given to research that addresses development challenges and contributes to the scholar’s home country.
Sussex University Commonwealth PhD Scholarship Summary
- Country: United Kingdom
- Host: University of Sussex
- Degree: PhD
- Duration: Up to 3 years
- Benefit: Fully funded
- Deadline: 20 October 2026
Sussex University Commonwealth PhD Scholarship Details
The Commonwealth PhD Scholarship is funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and is intended for candidates from eligible low-income Commonwealth countries, including least-developed countries and fragile states.
Applicants must develop a research proposal aligned with the Commonwealth’s development themes and secure support from a potential PhD supervisor at the University of Sussex. The application also involves the relevant nominating agency in the applicant’s country.
Benefits
- Full international PhD tuition fees
- Monthly living allowance
- Return airfare between the scholar’s home country and the UK
- Research Training Support Grant
- Support for eligible fieldwork expenses
- Additional allowances where applicable under CSC regulations
Eligibility Criteria
- Be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person, as applicable under the CSC rules.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible developing Commonwealth country.
- Be available to start academic studies in the UK in September or October 2027.
- Hold a qualification equivalent to at least an upper second-class UK honours degree.
- Applicants with a lower second-class degree may be considered if they also hold a relevant postgraduate qualification.
- Demonstrate that the proposed PhD research has development relevance to the applicant’s home country.
- Identify a suitable PhD programme and potential supervisor at the University of Sussex.
- Obtain the required supervisor support for the Commonwealth application.
- Not be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university before the start of the 2027 academic year.
- Meet the University of Sussex’s English-language requirements for the chosen PhD programme.
- Meet any additional requirements set by the relevant nominating agency.
- Applicants must not rely solely on the Sussex eligibility information; nationality and nomination requirements should be verified against the current CSC rules.
Commonwealth Development Themes
Proposed research should align with one or more of the Commonwealth’s development themes:
- 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
How to Apply
- Develop a PhD research proposal that addresses a relevant development challenge.
- Identify a suitable PhD programme at the University of Sussex.
- Find a potential Sussex supervisor whose research interests match your proposed project.
- Contact the potential supervisor and discuss your research proposal.
- Apply for admission to the relevant PhD programme at Sussex.
- Obtain the required supervisor statement or support.
- Complete the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission online application.
- Submit the application through the relevant approved nominating agency.
- Check whether your nominating agency has an earlier deadline than the CSC deadline.
- Ensure the Commonwealth application is submitted before 20 October 2026 at 4:00 PM GMT.