The University of Sussex, in partnership with the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission, is offering Commonwealth PhD Scholarships for candidates from least developed and fragile states for the academic year starting September 2025. Funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), these scholarships aim to support talented individuals from low-income Commonwealth countries in undertaking full-time doctoral studies in the UK.
To be eligible for the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, applicants must be citizens or refugees from one of the specified low-income Commonwealth countries and be permanent residents there. They should be prepared to begin their studies in the UK by September/October 2025 and hold an upper second class (2:1) honours degree or a relevant postgraduate qualification by October 2025.
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Application Process
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Clarity of Information
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( votes)The University of Sussex is a leading research institution founded in the 1960s, located close to the vibrant city of Brighton in southern England. The university is highly ranked globally, placing in the top 250 universities worldwide. It is particularly renowned for development studies, ranked #1 in the world in this field. The university offers a range of scholarships to international students based on academic merit and financial need.
Application Deadline: 15 October 2024
Brief Description
- University or Organization: University of Sussex
- Department: Various Departments
- Course Level: PhD
- Award: Full overseas PhD tuition fees, a stipend, return travel to the UK, Research Training Support Grant, and fieldwork costs
- Access Mode: Online
- Number of Awards: Varies
- Nationality: Citizens or refugees from eligible Commonwealth countries
- The Award Can Be Taken In: United Kingdom
Eligibility
- Eligible Countries:
- Bangladesh
- Cameroon
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Rwanda
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- Sri Lanka
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Acceptable Course or Subjects: The scholarship can be applied to any subject offered by the University of Sussex.
- Admissible Criteria: To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a citizen or have refugee status in an eligible country and be a permanent resident in that country
- Be available to start academic studies in the UK by September/October 2025
- Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours or a second class degree with a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree) by October 2025
- Not be registered for a PhD or an MPhil leading to a PhD at a UK university before September/October 2025
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
How to Apply
- Apply for a PhD place at the University of Sussex through their online application system at Sussex PhD Application. Required documents include:
- CV
- Degree transcripts and certificates
- Statement of interest
- Names of two academic referees
- Valid IELTS certificate
- Apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s online system and to a nominating agency in your home country. Ensure the application is endorsed by one of the approved nominating bodies.
Benefits
The scholarship will cover full overseas PhD tuition fees, provide a stipend, return travel to the UK, Research Training Support Grant, and fieldwork costs.