PhD Commonwealth Scholarships 2021

Commonwealth Scholarships Commission / University of Sussex (2021)

What you get

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

Type of award

Postgraduate Research

PhD project

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

Eligibility

This year India is not included in the PhD scheme and only citizens of the following countries are eligible to apply:

Bangladesh

Cameroon

Kenya

Kiribati

Lesotho

Malawi

Mozambique

Nigeria

Pakistan

Rwanda

Sierra Leone

Solomon Islands

Tanzania

The Gambia

Tuvalu

Uganda

Zambia

To apply for these scholarships, you must also :

• Be a citizen or have refugee status in an eligible country and be a permanent resident in that country
• Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2021
• By October 2021 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 2021
• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship

Deadline

How to apply

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

You will need to apply online for a PhD place at Sussex well before the deadline for scholarship applications so that your supervisor and the academic School can consider your application and provide the supervisor statement of support.

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

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 4pm (16:00 GMT) on January 18th 2021

The following supporting documentation, which must be received by the CSC (uploaded to EAS) by 16:00 (GMT) on 1st February 2021 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
• Full transcripts of your university qualifications including certified translations if not in English.
• Proof of citizenship or refugee status

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-least-developed-countries-and-fragile-states/

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

There is no deadline for applying to Sussex, but as you will need to upload a Sussex PhD offer and a statement from your Sussex supervisor with your online EAS Scholarship application, you should make contact with your supervisor and apply to Sussex as soon as possible.

All applications, with full transcripts detailing all your higher education qualifications (with certified translations if not in English), must be submitted by 16:00 (GMT) on  January 18th 2021  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 upload the supporting documentation, by 16:00 (GMT) on February 1st 2021 in order for your

The deadline for nominating bodies to submit nominations to the Commonwealth Scholarship Council is 18th December 2019. Nominated candidates will be considered according to the following selection criteria:

• Academic merit of the candidate
• Quality of the plan of study
• Potential impact of the work on the development of the candidate’s home country