Application is currently ongoing for the Commonwealth Ph.D. Scholarships for Least Developed Countries and fragile states in the UK 2021.
The Commonwealth Ph.D. Scholarships are for candidates from least developed countries and fragile states in the Commonwealth, to undertake full-time doctoral study at a UK university.
Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The Commonwealth Ph.D. Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. These scholarships are offered under six 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
Duration: 4 years
Benefits
The scholarship covers
- Approved tuition fees
- A monthly stipend (living allowance) of £1,116,
- Approved airfare from home country to the UK and return at the end of the award
- Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas
- Paid mid-term visit (airfare) to home country
- Provision towards the cost of fieldwork undertaken overseas.
Eligibility
To apply for these scholarships, an applicant must:
- Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honors standard, or a second-class degree (2:2) and relevant postgraduate qualification (a Master’s degree)
- Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
- NOT be registered for a Ph.D., or an MPhil leading to a Ph.D., at a UK university before September 2021
- NOT have commenced and been currently registered for a Ph.D., or an MPhil leading to a Ph.D., in his/her home country or elsewhere
- Be available to start the academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2021
- Have the support of a potential supervisor from at least one UK university listed in your application form
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
Application Process
Interested applicants must apply to one of the following nominating bodies in the first instance – the CSC does not accept direct applications for these scholarships:
- National nominating agencies – this is the main route of application
- Selected universities/ university bodies, which can nominate their own academic staff
- Selected non-governmental organizations and charitable bodies
The application should include:
- Proof of citizenship or refugee status of an eligible Commonwealth country
- a copy of valid passport (or national ID card) showing applicant photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship
- Full transcripts detailing all higher education qualifications including to-date transcripts for any qualifications that are currently studying
- References from at least two individuals – submitted directly by the referees to the online application system
- Supporting statement from a proposed supervisor in the UK from at least one of the institutions named on the application form.
For detailed information on how to apply, click here
Deadline: January 18, 2021.
For more information visit the official site.
