Cranfield is pleased to support the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for candidates from high income countries, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university.

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK provides these scholarships jointly with Cranfield University to support world-class research.

These scholarships are intended to support scholars who could not afford to study in the UK without additional financial support. Applicants from traditionally marginalised or under-represented groups, and those who have overcome significant disadvantage or other barriers in their educational journey so far will be given priority when making selections.

At a glance

  • Funding valueAll tuition fees, travel and living costs
  • Suitable for Applicants fromRest of world
  • DeadlineOn going
  • Funding provider(s)Commonwealth Scholarship Commission


What it covers

  • Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award.
  • Approved tuition and examination fees.
  • Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,378 per month (2025-2026 academic year).
  • Thesis grant towards the cost of preparing a thesis or dissertation, where applicable.
  • Warm clothing allowance.
  • Study travel grant towards the costs of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
  • Fieldwork grant towards the cost of fieldwork undertaken overseas (usually the cost of one economy class return airfare to your fieldwork location).
  • 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).
  • For full details of the financial assistance offered, please see the Commonwealth webpage.

Applicable courses

This funding opportunity is applicable to PhD courses at Cranfield University. Please see the 'Who can apply' section for more information.

Who can apply

Eligible countries

  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Bermuda
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Canada
  • Cayman Islands
  • Cyprus
  • Falkland Islands
  • Gibraltar
  • Malta
  • New Zealand
  • Seychelles
  • Singapore
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turks and Caicos Islands

 

To be considered for these scholarships, candidates must:

  • Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country.
  • Show evidence that they are currently permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country. Candidates must have been living in an eligible Commonwealth country for a period of two years prior to the date they submit their application, which must be clear within the application.
  • Not be registered for or have started a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD at a UK university prior to the start of the Scholarship and be available to start the Scholarship and academic studies in the UK in September/October 2025 (exact date to be agreed by the CSC). The Scholarship will not be offered to anyone who has already started their PhD in the UK prior to September 2025.
  • 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) by the time they apply for the Scholarship, with evidence of the degree to be submitted within the application.
  • Not have commenced or be currently registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, in their home country or elsewhere.
  • Hold an unconditional offer or an offer conditional only on finance for the 2025 UK academic year from all of the UK universities listed on their application, to be submitted as part of the application.
  • Provide references from at least 2 individuals, in PDF format, signed and on institution letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender’s details.
  • Provide a supporting statement from a proposed supervisor from at least one of the UK universities listed in the application, in PDF format, signed and on institution letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender’s details.

Provisional selection for a scholarship is subject to the agreement of the university for which candidates are selected as part funding for the scholarship is provided by that university.

Further information

Applications are considered according to the following selection criteria:

  • Academic merit 
  • Quality of the research proposal,
  • impact potential

Applications typically open in the Autumn and close 6 weeks after the opening date. 

For full details, please visit the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website.

 

 

How to apply

Applications are now open!

All subject areas are eligible, although you should note that the CSC’s selection criteria give priority to applications that demonstrate the strongest potential for strategic impact.

If you are applying for PhD study, the scholarship will be tenable only at a UK university with which the CSC has a joint funding agreement. Joint funding agreements will be negotiated individually for selected candidates for PhD study. You should make this clear to your chosen universities.

You must make your application directly to the CSC using the CSC’s Electronic Application System (EAS) – information on how to use the EAS, including detailed guides, is available on the CSC website.