2024/2025 Fully Funded Commonwealth Split-site (PhD) Scholarships.

November 19, 2023Last Updated: November 19, 2023

Supported by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships are designed to empower talented and driven individuals with the necessary knowledge and expertise for sustainable development. These scholarships are specifically targeted toward individuals who might face financial constraints in pursuing studies in the UK.

Primarily, the program offers a unique opportunity for PhD scholars enrolled at eligible universities across the Commonwealth to engage in research at a UK-based institute for a duration of 12 months. This period allows scholars to enhance their research capabilities, collaborate with experts, and access resources that contribute significantly to their academic and professional growth.

Fully Funded Commonwealth Split-site (PhD) Scholarships.

The Fully Funded Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships for PhD studies are comprehensive initiatives aimed at supporting individuals across the Commonwealth in pursuing advanced studies and research in the United Kingdom. These scholarships, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), provide full financial coverage to outstanding scholars who aspire to undertake a portion of their doctoral research in the UK.

This particular scholarship scheme allows selected PhD scholars from Commonwealth countries to embark on a research journey in the UK for a duration of 12 months. It enables scholars to collaborate with renowned academics, access cutting-edge facilities, and further their research expertise, contributing significantly to their academic and professional development.

The scholarships are tailored to facilitate research collaborations, offering scholars an invaluable opportunity to enhance their research skills, gain exposure to diverse academic perspectives, and forge international networks that will enrich their academic pursuits and contribute to the development of their home countries. The aim is to empower promising researchers who might not have otherwise had the means to pursue such valuable experiences and learning opportunities abroad.

Purpose:

To widen access to UK equipment and expertise for high quality doctoral candidates from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries, and to contribute to UK and Commonwealth higher education and research through collaboration and partnerships.

Intended Beneficiaries:

High-quality graduates whose proposed research has a developmental focus and who have the potential to become influential teachers or researchers in their home countries.

Eligibility Criteria For The Fully Funded Commonwealth Split-site (PhD) Scholarships

To apply for these Scholarships, prospective Scholars must:

Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
Be registered for a PhD at a university in an eligible Commonwealth country by the time your Scholarship starts (September 2023)
Ensure that an institutional or departmental link exists between your home university and your proposed UK university. This link must be greater than simply a collaboration between individuals – see section on ‘Tenure and placement’ for further details. Both supervisors must provide a supporting statement which provides further details of the link to ensure your application is eligible.
Be available to start your academic studies in the UK in September 2023
By September 2023, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree)
Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this Scholarship

Benefits

Each Scholarship provides:

Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor the cost of journeys made before your award is confirmed)
Approved tuition fees: full fees are covered by agreement between the CSC and the UK university, and Scholars are not liable to pay for any part of the tuition fee
Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,236 per month, or £1,516 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels)
Warm clothing allowance, where applicable
Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas
If you are widowed, divorced, or a single parent, child allowance of £529 per month for the first child, and £131 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if you are accompanied by your children and they are living with you at the same address in the UK.