Commonwealth Scholarships Commission / University of Susex (2018)

The University of Sussex has recently signed an agreement with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and is accepting applications for Developing Country Commonwealth Scholarships for September 2018.

Commonwealth PhD Scholarships are for candidates from low and middle income Commonwealth countries, for full-time doctoral study at a UK university.

Funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), Commonwealth PhD Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. These scholarships are offered under six themes:

1.Science and technology for development

2.Strengthening health systems and capacity

3.Promoting global prosperity

4.Strengthening global peace, security and governance

5.Strengthening resilience and response to crises

6.Access, inclusion and opportunity

What you get

The award will cover full overseas PhD tuition fees, a stipend, return travel to UK, Research Support Grant + fieldwork costs

Type of award

Postgraduate Research

Eligibility

To apply for these scholarships, you must:

  • Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
  • Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
  • Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2018
  • By October 2018, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master's degree)
  • NOT be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university before September/October 2018
  • Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship

Deadline

22 February 2018 23:59

How to apply

You will need to apply for a place at the University of Sussex as well as applying to a Commonwealth scholarship.

1. To apply for a place at Sussex please submit a formal application using our online application system at http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply, The following documents must be submitted with your application

  • CV
  • degree transcripts and certificates
  • statement of interest clearly stating the project title and name of the supervisor
  • names of two academic referees
  • valid IELTS certificate (if non-UK)

2. To apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship you do not apply directly to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. First you must apply to a "nominating agency" who will shortlist the applications and forward the highest ranked to the Commission for consideration. In most cases this agency will be the nominating agency in your home country and it will have its own application procedures and deadlines. Some Universities and NGOs also nominate applicants.

Your application must be submitted to and endorsed by one of the approved nominating bodies listed above. The CSC will not accept any applications that are not submitted via the EAS.

In addition to the application to your nominating agency, you must apply online on the Electronic Application System (EAS) by midnight on 22nd February 2018.

The online application must include:

- Two references

- A supporting statement from your UK supervisor

- Full transcripts of your university qualifications including certified translations if not in English.

You will need to be in contact with your Sussex supervisor so that they can support your application and provide a supervisor statement.

Sponsors

Further information on the scheme is here:

http://cscuk.dfid.gov.uk/apply/phd-scholarships-low-middle-income-countries/

Contact us

For queries relating to an application to the University of Sussex please contact: Amanda Britt A.D.Britt@sussex.ac.uk

For queries relating to an application for a Commonwealth Scholarship please contact the nominating agency in your own country.

Timetable

All applications, with full transcripts detailing all your higher education qualifications (with certified translations if not in English), must be submitted by 23.59 (GMT) on 22 February 2018 at the latest.

You are advised to complete and submit your application as soon as possible, as the EAS will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline.

You must provide the following supporting documentation, which must be received by the CSC by 23.59 (GMT) on 22 March 2018 in order for your application to be eligible for consideration:

  • References from at least two individuals
  • Supporting statement from a proposed supervisor in the UK from at least one of the institutions named on your application form

Availability

At level(s):
PG (research)

Application deadline:
22 February 2018 23:59 (GMT)
the deadline has now expired

Countries

The award is available to people from these specific countries: