Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships are for candidates from low and middle income countries, as classified by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), in the Commonwealth, to conduct research at a university in the UK for 12 months.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), it operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) and offers a vivid demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth. By attracting individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds and supporting them to become leaders and innovators on returning to their home countries, the CSC’s work combines sustainable development with the UK national interest and provides opportunities for international partnerships and collaboration.
Purpose: To widen access to UK equipment and expertise for quality doctoral candidates from Commonwealth countries, and to contribute to UK and Commonwealth higher education and research through collaboration and partnerships.
Eligibility Criteria
Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships welcome applicants from diverse subject areas, prioritizing applications that demonstrate the strongest relevance to development. The eligibility criteria include:
- Citizenship or refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country, or British Protected Person status.
- Permanent residency in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Registration for a Ph.D. at a university in an eligible Commonwealth country by the scholarship’s commencement in September 2024.
- Existence of an institutional or departmental link between the home university and the proposed UK university.
- Availability to commence academic studies in the UK in September 2024.
- Possession of a first-degree of at least upper second-class honors standard (2:1) or a lower second-class degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification by September 2024
Application Process
Applications for Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships for the 2025/26 academic year are now open. The deadline for submitting an application is 16:00 GMT on Monday 16 December.
Applications to the CSC must be made using the application system, CSC Central.
The CSC is unable to accept any applications or documentation not submitted via CSC Central.
We are launching a new application system for this round and the form will look and feel different to that of previous years. Should you experience any issues, please contact
It is recommended to prepare answers outside of the system and then add them to the form once they have been finalised. Please make sure you read all of the information and conditions on this webpage carefully.
A template application form including all questions is available here and technical guidance is here.
Required Documents:
Applicants must upload the following documents with the application:
- Proof that they are a citizen or have refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country: a copy of a valid passport (or national ID card) showing a photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship.
- Full transcripts detailing all higher education qualifications, including to-date transcripts for any courses currently being studied, with certified translations if not in English. Where any transcripts are missing or do not include all pages, the application will be considered ineligible.
- References from at least two individuals, in PDF format, signed and on institutional letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender’s details.
- A supporting statement, in PDF format, signed and on institutional letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender’s details, from a proposed supervisor in the UK from the institution named on the application form.
- A supporting statement, in PDF format, signed and on institutional letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender’s details, from the current supervisor at the home university.
