Application Deadline: 16:00 hours BST (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
LOCATION: England
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) is an international scholarship programme, and in the United Kingdom (UK) is responsible for awarding academically bright citizens of developing Commonwealth countries with funding to undertake postgraduate study at UK universities. The CSC wishes to promote equal opportunity, gender equity, and cultural exchange.
ELIGIBILITY:
To be considered for Imperial Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, you 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 available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2027
By September 2027, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree).
Not be registered for a PhD or an MPhil leading to a PhD at a UK university or in their home country before September/October 2027
Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
For information on the Imperial Commonwealth Scholarships programme, please refer to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website.
How to Apply
You should apply directly through the Commonwealth website
As well as applying to the CSC using the application system (CSC Central), applications must apply to a nominator. Nominators may set their own closing dates for applications. Please check the Commonwealth website for further details on how to apply.
Applicants are also advised to apply for their programme of choice at Imperial College, as soon as applications open, through the standard application process.
Applications must be submitted by 16:00 hours BST (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
BENEFIT:
The scholarship covers
Approved airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award
Approved tuition fees
A stipend (living allowance)
Study travel grants towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
Provision towards the cost of fieldwork undertaken overseas (the cost of one economy class return airfare to the fieldwork location), where approved.
Paid a mid-term visit (airfare) to the Scholar’s home country, unless they have claimed or intend to claim spouse and/or child allowances during their scholarship or have received a return airfare to their home country for fieldwork.
Family allowances—please see the Financial assistance section for further details.
