Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2027/28

Full-time PhD study at a UK university beginning in September/October 2027, reserved for candidates from Commonwealth least developed countries and vulnerable states as classified by the OECD DAC. The award is made to the individual, not the home institution, and covers the whole cost of UK doctoral study.

Malawi qualifies as a Commonwealth least developed country. The applicant must be a Malawian citizen (or refugee or British protected person), hold at least an upper second-class first degree - or a lower second plus a relevant Master's - by September 2027, be unable to afford UK study unaided, and be available to start in the UK at the beginning of the 2027/28 UK academic year.

Approved tuition fees, living stipend, return economy airfare, thesis and study-travel grants, arrival and warm-clothing allowances, and family allowances for eligible dependants.

Study outside the UK; part-time or distance doctoral study under this route; places at UK institutions without a CSC agreement; costs for accompanying dependants beyond the stated allowances.

Apply through CSC Central. A separate, parallel application for a PhD place at a participating UK university is required - the CSC will not place you. Applications must be routed through a recognised nominating body (the Malawi national nominating agency or a UK university with a CSC agreement).

Timeline

Applications open: 8 September 2026 | Close 20 October 2026, 16:00 BST | Outcomes: by July 2027 | Study begins: September/October 2027