by Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) · Any participating UK university with an established institutional link to the applicant's home university
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
🏆 Fully Funded🟩 Active🎓 PhD (Split-site/Research)🌍 United Kingdom📌 Merit-based, Development-focused
Approximately £35,000 total value including stipend, fees, and travel
Duration
12 months (spent in the UK)
Deadline
Typically December each year (Check official website for specific 2025/26 cycle dates)
Level
PhD (Split-site/Research)
Acceptance
Estimated 5-10% depending on the volume of annual applications
Difficulty
Very High
Quick Summary
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) offers Commonwealth Split-Site Scholarship, a fully funded opportunity designed for international students heading to United Kingdom. The award covers Covers full tuition fees, a monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, and specific grants for research-related travel, clothing, and thesis preparation. and is open to phd (split-site/research) students studying all subject areas, with priority given to research that demonstrates potential for developmental impact. The scholarship runs for 12 months (spent in the uk). Eligibility is generally based on open to PhD students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries who are already enrolled in a PhD in their home country and have an agreement for a 12-month UK placement. The application deadline is Typically December each year (Check official website for specific 2025/26 cycle dates), with an acceptance rate of approximately Estimated 5-10% depending on the volume of annual applications. Applicants are encouraged to review the official eligibility criteria carefully before starting their application.
✨ Should I Apply for Commonwealth Split-Site Scholarship?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
8%
Win Probability
7/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
30-45 hrs
Time Required
Low
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Approximately £35,000 total value including stipend, fees, and travel
⏳
Duration
12 months (spent in the UK)
📅
Deadline
Typically December each year (Check official website for specific 2025/26 cycle dates)
🌎
Fields
All subject areas, with priority given to research that demonstrates potential for developmental impact
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 20-30 awards per year
🌏
Study Country
United Kingdom
🏛️
Provider
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC)
📊
Acceptance
Estimated 5-10% depending on the volume of annual applications
The Commonwealth Split-Site Scholarship allows PhD students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries to spend up to 12 months at a UK university to conduct research essential to their doctoral thesis, fostering international collaboration and development research.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to PhD students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries who are already enrolled in a PhD in their home country and have an agreement for a 12-month UK placement.
🏛️ Host University
Any participating UK university with an established institutional link to the applicant's home university
🤝 Sponsor
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
🌎 Fields of Study
All subject areas, with priority given to research that demonstrates potential for developmental impact
✨ Key Benefits
Covers full tuition fees, a monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, and specific grants for research-related travel, clothing, and thesis preparation.
🎯 Target Students
PhD researchers from eligible low and middle-income Commonwealth countries
Estimated 5-10% depending on the volume of annual applications
Acceptance Rate
Low
Competition Level
Win Probability
8%
Match Score
75%
Competition
50%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
100% of UK tuition fees covered
Living Stipend
£1,347 per month, or £1,652 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (subject to annual review)
Total Award
Approximately £35,000 total value including stipend, fees, and travel
✈️ Travel: Approved airfare from the home country to the UK and return at the end of the award🏠 Accommodation: Paid via the monthly living stipend💊 Health Insurance: Access to the National Health Service (NHS) via the Immigration Health Surcharge (covered)🔄 Renewable: No💳 App Fee: £0 (Free to apply)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
100% of UK tuition fees covered
🏠 Living Stipend
£1,347 per month, or £1,652 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (subject to annual review)
🏡 Accommodation
Paid via the monthly living stipend
✈️ Travel Allowance
Approved airfare from the home country to the UK and return at the end of the award
💊 Health Insurance
Access to the National Health Service (NHS) via the Immigration Health Surcharge (covered)
Not applicable as it is a one-time 12-month placement
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible Commonwealth country; registered for a PhD at a university in an eligible Commonwealth country; existing link between home and UK university
🎓 Academic Level
PhD (Split-site/Research)
📊 Minimum GPA
Equivalent of a UK first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honors standard
🗣️ English Requirement
Must meet the host UK university's specific English language requirements (usually IELTS or TOEFL)
🍢 Age Limit
No age limit, though intended for early to mid-career researchers
💼 Work Experience
Not strictly required, but relevant professional or research experience is highly valued
🏆 Leadership
Demonstrated potential to lead and influence development in the home country post-scholarship
💰 Financial Need
Applicants must demonstrate they could not otherwise afford to study in the UK
🎯 Target Students
PhD researchers from eligible low and middle-income Commonwealth countries
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Personal Statement, Development Impact Statement, and Research Proposal)
Rec Letters
Yes (Minimum of two references, including one from the home supervisor and one from the UK supervisor)
Interview
No (Selection is primarily based on the written application and institutional support)
Application Fee
£0 (Free to apply)
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes (Minimum of two references, including one from the home supervisor and one from the UK supervisor) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Must meet the host UK university's specific English language requirements (usually IELTS or TOEFL)
Interview: No (Selection is primarily based on the written application and institutional support)
Min GPA: Equivalent of a UK first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honors standard
📋 Application Process
The 'Development Impact Statement' is the most critical part; clearly explain how your research will solve a specific problem in your home country.
💡 Insider Tip: Ensure the UK and home supervisors provide strong, coordinated statements that prove the necessity of the UK-based research period.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
Typically September or October annually
⏰ Deadline
Typically December each year (Check official website for specific 2025/26 cycle dates)
🎤 Interview
No (Selection is primarily based on the written application and institutional support)
🎓 Study Starts
September or October of the following year
Typically September or October annually
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
Typically December each year (Check official website for specific 2025/26 cycle dates)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
No (Selection is primarily based on the written application and institutional support)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
September or October of the following year
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic merit, quality of research proposal, and potential impact of the work on the development of the home country.
Open to PhD students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries who are already enrolled in a PhD in their home country and have an agreement for a 12-month UK placement.
This scholarship covers: Covers full tuition fees, a monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, and specific grants for research-related travel, clothing, and thesis preparation.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is Typically December each year (Check official website for specific 2025/26 cycle dates). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Low. Acceptance rate: Estimated 5-10% depending on the volume of annual applications. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
No
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Must meet the host UK university's specific English language requirements (usually IELTS or TOEFL), Yes (Minimum of two references, including one from the home supervisor and one from the UK supervisor) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.