Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Commonwealth Split-site 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.
Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships For International Students 2025
They offer Ph.D. scholars studying at eligible universities across the Commonwealth the opportunity to conduct research at an institute in the UK for 12 months.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: United Kingdom (UK)
- Eligible Countries: Commonwealth Nations
- Reward: Full Scholarship | £1,516 per month Stipends | Family Allowance
- Deadline: March 2, 2025
Scholarship Details:
Purpose: To widen access to UK equipment and expertise for high quality 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.
Requirements:
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 PhDPh.D. at a university in an eligible Commonwealth country by the time your Scholarship starts (September 2025) - 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 the section on ‘Tenure and placement’ for further details. Both supervisors must provide a supporting statement that provides further details of the link to ensure your application is eligible.
- Be available to start your academic studies in the UK in September 2025
- By September 2025, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honors 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 scholarship
Scholarship Duration and Reward
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 an 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, a 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
Selection Process
Applications will be considered according to the following selection criteria:
- Academic merit of the candidate
- Quality of the plan of study
- Potential impact on the development of the candidate’s home country
Method of Application
Applications for Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships for the 2025/24 academic year are now open.
The closing date for applications, including all supporting documentation, is 2 March 2025 at 16:00 GMT.
Applications must be made using the CSC’s online application system.
Candidates must apply to study at a UK university that has a part funding agreement with the CSC. Part funding agreements are at the discretion of individual universities. For a list of universities that have agreed to part-fund Commonwealth Scholarships, visit the UK universities with part funding agreements page on the CSC website.
Candidates are advised to complete and submit applications as early as possible, as the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline.
Read Also: Government of Ireland Scholarship for International Students 2025
FAQs about the Commonwealth Split‑site Scholarships for International PhD students 2025:
Who is eligible to apply?
You must:
Be a citizen or refugee of an eligible Commonwealth country, and permanently resident there
Be registered for a PhD at a university in that home Commonwealth country by September 2025
Have a formal institutional or departmental link between your home and the proposed UK university, supported by both supervisors
Hold at least a 2:1 honours degree (or a 2:2 plus a relevant postgraduate qualification) by September 2025
Be unable to afford full study in the UK without the scholarship
Submit all required documentation in the correct format and through the CSC system .
What are the benefits or funding provided?
The scholarship is fully funded, including:
Tuition fees covered by the CSC and UK host university
Monthly living allowance: Typically £1,378/month outside London; £1,690/month if studying in London
Return airfare, warm clothing allowance (if needed), study travel grants
Child allowance for single parents: about £590/month for the first child, ~£146/month for subsequent children under 16
Additional disability support, assessed on a needs basis
How long is the award, and how is it structured?
The award provides up to 12 months of full‑time research in the UK, generally as part of an ongoing PhD at your home institution
This period may be taken as two separate 6‑month visits, with time back in your home country in between
The final degree continues to be awarded by your home university
What is the application timeline for 2025‑26 scholarships?
The deadline for applications is 16:00 GMT on Monday 16 December 2024
Applicants must apply via the CSC’s online portal (CSC Central) and also apply separately to a UK university which has a CSC part‑funding agreement
Results are typically announced by July 2025
Is there an age limit or requirement to return home after the award?
There is no age limit for applying
Recipients are expected to return to their home country after completing the UK component—this is part of the terms of award, and scholars are expected to contribute to development upon return