Loughborough University Commonwealth Scholarship 2027 (Fully Funded)

Overview

The Loughborough University Commonwealth PhD Scholarship 2027 funds doctoral research in the UK for high-achieving scholars from eligible Commonwealth countries. It is jointly funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), and is aimed at researchers whose work can contribute to development priorities.

What you get

The scholarship covers full tuition fees agreed between the CSC and Loughborough University. A living stipend is paid monthly for three years, currently £1,712 per month. Further support includes approved return economy airfare between the home country and the UK, allowances for study-related travel and approved overseas fieldwork, and possible family or child allowances for eligible scholars under CSC guidelines.

Who can apply

Applicants must be citizens of, or hold refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be British Protected Persons, and be permanently resident there. Eligible countries are Bangladesh, The Gambia, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda and Zambia. Candidates need an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree by September 2027, or a relevant Master's degree if they hold a 2:2. They must not already be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, before September or October 2027, and must be unable to afford UK study without support.

Requirements

Applicants must hold an official offer for an eligible doctoral programme at Loughborough University starting in 2027.

How to apply

First apply to Loughborough for a relevant PhD and contact potential supervisors. Then submit the online scholarship application through the CSC application system, and also apply to the nominating agency in the home country, which sets its own criteria and closing date. Degree transcripts, proof of citizenship or passport, a research proposal and references on institutional letterhead are uploaded.

Key dates

The CSC online application closes on 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST.