Opportunity Title : University of Sussex Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2026

The Commonwealth PhD Scholarships provide opportunities for talented researchers from eligible least developed and fragile Commonwealth countries to undertake doctoral study in the UK.

The programme is intended for candidates whose proposed research has the potential to contribute to the development of their home countries. Applicants are therefore expected to demonstrate how their PhD research can address important development challenges and generate meaningful benefits after they return home.

At the University of Sussex, successful scholars can pursue doctoral research in an appropriate field of study while receiving substantial financial support throughout their scholarship period.

The programme is particularly suitable for applicants who have strong academic backgrounds but would otherwise be unable to afford the cost of undertaking a PhD in the United Kingdom.

The University of Sussex Commonwealth PhD Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support to successful scholars.

The award may include:

• Full overseas PhD tuition fees, helping cover the cost of doctoral study at the university.
• Monthly living allowance, designed to help scholars meet their day-to-day living expenses while studying in the UK.
• Return airfare, covering approved travel between the scholar's home country and the United Kingdom.
• Research Training Support Grant to support eligible research-related activities and training.
• Approved fieldwork costs, where the proposed doctoral research requires eligible fieldwork.
• Additional approved allowances or support, where applicable under the scholarship terms.

The scholarship is particularly valuable for candidates who would not otherwise have the financial resources required to undertake doctoral study in the UK.

Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate that they cannot afford to study in the UK without the financial assistance provided by the scholarship.

To be considered for the University of Sussex Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, applicants must satisfy the relevant Commonwealth Scholarship eligibility conditions.

Applicants must:

1. Be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country and be permanently resident in that country.
2. Be available to begin their academic programme in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2027.
3. Hold the required academic qualifications by October 2027. Applicants should normally have:
   • A first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or
   • A second-class degree combined with a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a Master's degree.
4. Not already be registered for a PhD or an MPhil leading to a PhD at a UK university before September/October 2027.
5. Demonstrate financial need by showing that they would not be able to afford to undertake doctoral study in the UK without the scholarship.
6. Meet the relevant programme and university requirements, including any additional requirements associated with the proposed PhD programme and research area.

Applicants should carefully verify that their country, academic qualifications, proposed research and financial circumstances meet the current scholarship requirements before applying.

Interested applicants should click the application link provided on the official scholarship page to access the application website, review the latest guidelines and submit their applications.

Applicants are advised to carefully read the current eligibility criteria, required documents, application instructions and deadlines before submitting their applications.

Important: Scholarship conditions, eligible countries, deadlines and application procedures may change. Applicants should always verify the latest information from the official University of Sussex and Commonwealth Scholarship sources before applying.