Commonwealth PhD Scholarships
Deadline: 20 July, 2020
Level of Study
Postgraduate Research
Application Status
Closed
Eligibility summary
- NationalityAnguilla, Australia, Bahamas, The, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands [Virgin Islands, British], Brunei [Brunei Darussalam], Canada, Cayman Islands, Cyprus (European Union), Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Malta, New Zealand, Seychelles, St Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands
- Level of StudyPostgraduate Research
Overview
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are for candidates from high income Commonwealth countries, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university. Funded by the UK Department for Education (DfE), Commonwealth PhD Scholarships support excellence in UK higher education and sustain the principles of the Commonwealth.
Purpose: To support world-class research and scholarship, and to contribute to UK higher education and research by attracting high-calibre international candidates and encouraging links and collaboration.
Intended beneficiaries: High-quality graduates who have the potential to become influential leaders, teachers, or researchers in their home countries, and whose proposed research topic has been described to the satisfaction of the selection committee as having a focus on innovation and leadership, for the benefit of wider society.
Further Information
Funding Towards
Living Costs / Stipend, Placement, Travel Costs, Tuition Fees
Funding Body
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the main UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. The CSC is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for International Development (DFID).
Funding Amount
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 dependents, nor usually the cost of journeys made before your award is finally confirmed)
- Approved tuition fees
- Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,110 per month, or £1,362 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at 2019-2020 levels)
- Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable
- Warm clothing allowance, where applicable
- Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas
- Provision towards the cost of fieldwork undertaken overseas (usually the cost of one economy class return airfare to your fieldwork location), where approved
- Paid mid-term visit (airfare) to your home country (unless you have claimed (or intend to claim) spouse and/or child allowances during your scholarship, or have received a return airfare to your home country for fieldwork
- Family allowances, as follows:
- If you are accompanied by your spouse but no children: spouse allowance of £239 per month for a maximum period of nine months, if you and your spouse are living together at the same address in the UK (unless your spouse is also in receipt of a scholarship; other conditions also apply)
- If you are accompanied by your spouse and children: spouse allowance of £239 per month and child allowance of £239 per month for the first child, and £117 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if your spouse and children are living with you at the same address in the UK (unless your spouse is also in receipt of a scholarship; other conditions also apply)
- If you are accompanied by your children but no spouse: child allowance of £478 per month for the first child, and £117 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if your children are living with you at the same address in the UK
The CSC’s family allowances are intended to be only a contribution towards the cost of maintaining your family in the UK. The true costs are likely to be considerably higher, and you must be able to supplement these allowances in order to support any family members who come to the UK with you.
For more information, see the Handbook for Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows, available on the CSC website.
Funding Body
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the main UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. The CSC is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for International Development (DFID).
Relevant Links for More Information
Terms and Conditions
Eligibility
To apply for these scholarships, you must:
- Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country
- Show evidence that you are permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country. You must have lived in an eligible Commonwealth country for a continuous period of five years within the last ten years. If the CSC is unable to determine this from your application, you will be contacted to provide further evidence.
- Be available to start your academic studies in the UK in January/February 2021 (to be agreed by the CSC)
- Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a secondclass degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree) by the time you submit your scholarship application
- Not have commenced and be currently registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, in your home country or elsewhere
- Not be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university before January 2021
- Hold an unconditional offer from your chosen university/universities listed on your CSC online application, at the point of being notified that you have been provisionally selected for an award by the CSC in October 2020
- References from at least two individuals
- A supporting statement from a proposed supervisor at one or more of your chosen UK universities
- Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format
*When applying for this scholarship you should ensure that you have contacted your chosen university/universities to confirm you are able to secure admission in January 2021; please be aware that some universities may not offer January 2021 admission for some of their courses.
The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination and encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates. For further information on the support available to candidates with a disability, see the CSC disability support statement.
Funding Type
Help with new course
Fee Status
International
Nationality
Anguilla, Australia, Bahamas, The, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands [Virgin Islands, British], Brunei [Brunei Darussalam], Canada, Cayman Islands, Cyprus (European Union), Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Malta, New Zealand, Seychelles, St Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands
Study Level
Postgraduate Research
Start Date
Mon, 01 Jun 2020 01:17:00 BST
Close Date
Mon, 20 Jul 2020 17:00:00 BST
Contact Us
If you have any queries about applying for a Commonwealth PhD Scholarship, you can visit the CSC’s Contact us page.
If you have queries about applying for admission please refer to http://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/PostgraduateStudy/How-to-apply/
If you still have queries please email the Admissions team, International Enquiries: intl.student@qub.ac.uk
How to Apply
You must make your application directly to the CSC using the CSC’s online application system. The CSC will not accept any applications that are not submitted via the online application system. You are not required to apply via a nominating body for these scholarships.
Only one application per applicant for these scholarships will be accepted.
Application deadline: Your application must be submitted by 17:00 (BST) on 20 July 2020 at the latest.
You are advised to complete and submit your application as soon as possible, as the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline.
Supporting documentation (including a supporting statement from your proposed supervisor): Your application must include the following supporting documentation by 17:00 (BST) on 10 August 2020.