Commonwealth PhD Scholarships – Supporting Documentation Guidelines

To ensure eligibility, applicants must include specific supporting documentation with their applications for Commonwealth PhD Scholarships.

Note: Applicants are responsible for collecting references and supporting statements from referees and proposed supervisors in the UK. All documents must be uploaded in PDF format to the application system along with other supporting documentation. References and supporting statements will only be accepted through the application system by the deadline. No other submission method or late submissions will be considered.

Applicants are required to upload the following documents:

1. Proof of Citizenship or Refugee Status:
   • A copy of a valid passport (or national ID card) displaying a photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship.
2. Full Transcripts:
   • Comprehensive transcripts of all higher education qualifications, including current course transcripts if applicable. Certified translations are required if the documents are not in English. Incomplete or missing transcripts will render the application ineligible.
3. References:
   • References from at least two individuals in PDF format, signed, and on institutional letterhead or an email clearly displaying the sender’s details.
4. Supporting Statement from Proposed Supervisor:
   • A supporting statement in PDF format, signed, and on institutional letterhead or an email clearly displaying the sender’s details. This statement should come from a proposed supervisor in the UK affiliated with at least one of the institutions listed on the application form.
5. Unconditional or Conditional Offer:
   • An unconditional offer or an offer conditional only on finance for the 2023 UK academic year for all institutions listed on the application form.

Incomplete submission of any required documentation by the closing date will result in the application being deemed ineligible.

Important Points:

• The CSC does not accept supporting documentation submitted outside the online application system.
• Referees should provide detailed comments on the applicant, addressing their suitability for the scholarship, the importance of the proposed study subject in the UK, and various aspects of the applicant’s capabilities and potential impact on development in their home country.
• Proposed supervisors should confirm their willingness to work with the applicant, outline their department’s expertise, and indicate their involvement in crafting the candidate’s Plan of Study.
• The CSC does not charge applicants for applying to its scholarships or fellowships through the online application system.

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Commonwealth PhD Scholarships – Applicant Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Citizenship:
   • Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country.
2. Permanent Residency:
   • Show evidence of current permanent residency in an eligible Commonwealth country.
   • Have resided in an eligible Commonwealth country for at least two years before submitting the application.
3. PhD/MPhil Status:
   • Not be registered for or have initiated a PhD or an MPhil leading to a PhD at a UK university prior to the commencement of the Scholarship.
   • Be available to start the Scholarship and academic studies in the UK in September/October 2024 (exact date to be agreed upon by the CSC). The Scholarship is not open to those who have already started their PhD in the UK before September 2024.
4. Academic Qualifications:
   • Hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard or a lower second-class degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree) at the time of applying. Evidence of the degree should be submitted with the application.
5. PhD/MPhil Registration:
   • Not have commenced or be currently registered for a PhD or an MPhil leading to a PhD in their home country or elsewhere.
6. Offer of Admission:
   • Hold an unconditional offer or an offer conditional only on finance for the 2024 UK academic year from all the UK universities listed on their application. This should be submitted as part of the application.
7. References:
   • Provide references from at least two individuals in PDF format, signed, and on institutional letterhead or an email clearly displaying the sender’s details.
8. Supporting Statement from Proposed Supervisor:
   • 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 institutional letterhead or an email clearly displaying the sender’s details.

Important Note: Provisional selection for a scholarship is contingent upon the agreement of the university for which candidates are selected, as part of the funding for the scholarship is provided by that university.

Candidates should ensure that they have contacted their chosen university/universities to confirm their ability to secure admission between September and October 2024. It’s important to be aware that some universities may not offer September-October admission for certain courses.