The Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2025/2026 unlock incredible opportunity for students from Commonwealth countries to pursue postgraduate research at topnotch universities in the United Kingdom. However, these scholarships aim to allow students undertake a portion of their doctoral research in the United Kingdom while their studies are in progress in their home country. This one of a kind scheme offers the best of both worlds – international exposure to high-brow research while maintaining the familiarity and support of one’s home country environment.
Students from low- and middle-income countries are the major gainers of the Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2025/2026. Through pulling of resources together, this initiative aims to create research opportunities that contribute to sustainable development and global partnership. Students benefit from advanced research facilities, mentoring, and the invaluable experience of studying in the UK for part of their academic journey.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) supports scholarships that are in tandem with specific development themes, precisely the ones focusing on promoting sustainable development goals (SDGs). The main development themes for the Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships include health, education, public policy, and sustainable economic growth. Through research and innovation, global challenges can be tackled head-on and as such, these golden opportunities for advanced study in these themes necessitate the CSC aims to build capacity in the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth Split-site Scholarship overarching goal is not limited just to advance individual careers but also to enhance the development of the potential beneficiary’s home country by facilitating the transfer of knowledge and skills. The programme aims to foster growth in key sectors such as health, education, and technology by equipping researchers with the tools they need to tackle pressing global issues. However, this scholarship is more than just a stepping stone for students; it is beyond that and that makes it an investment in their future, as well as the future of their countries.
Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2025/2026
- Scholarship Sponsor: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
- Study in: United Kingdom
- Host Institutions: Participating Universities
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Number of Awards: Several
- Nationality: Commonwealth Select Countries (see below)
- Application Deadline: 16 December 2024
Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2025/2026 | Unlocking Life-changing Opportunity | Benefits
As mouthwatering the benefits are, the most appealing aspects of the Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2025/2026 is the comprehensive financial assistance prospective scholars are equipped with. This scholarship covers a range of expenses that would ease the recipients of financial worries thereby making them focus entirely on their academic and research goals. The financial package includes tuition fees, airfare, a stipend for living expenses, and allowances for essential items like study-related travel.
- Tuition fees: Scholars are not liable to pay for any part of the tuition fee as the full fees are covered by agreement between the CSC and the UK University.
- Airfare: To and from scholar’s home country to the United Kingdom at the end of the award.
- Living allowance: A monthly allowance at the rate of £1,378, or £1,690 for those at universities in the London metropolitan area
- Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas. This helps students access specialized research materials, attend conferences, or purchase equipment related to their project. This financial assistance aims to reduce the financial burden on students and make it easier for them to undertake world-class research while focusing on contributing significantly in their field of study.
- Child allowance: For a widowed scholar, divorced, or a single parent, a monthly child allowance of £590 for the first child, and £146 for the second and third child under the age of 16, provided their children are living with them at the same address in the UK.
- Warm clothing allowance
For many students, these financial provisions unlock the possibility of pursuing higher education that would otherwise be inaccessible due to economic constraints. Moreover, the Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships empower individuals to bring about meaningful change in their home countries.
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Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2025/2026 | Unlocking Life-changing Opportunity | Eligibility Criteria
- The eligibility criteria for the Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2025/2026 are highlighted lucidly to ensure that the programme is accessible to the most deserving and capable candidates.
- Applicants must be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Prospective scholars must be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
- Candidate must be registered for a PhD at a university in their home country or an eligible Commonwealth country where they will continue their research while spending a portion of their time in the UK.
- Prospective scholar’s inability to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
- Applicant should ensure that an institutional or departmental link exists between the home university and proposed UK University.
- Scholar’s availability: A scholar must be available to start academic study in the UK.
- Applicant must possess a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree).
- Candidates must provide all supporting documentation in the required format.
In addition to the basic eligibility requirements, applicants must demonstrate how their proposed research will contribute to the development of their home country. However, the CSC prioritizes candidates who showcase community development skill, leadership potential and a clear commitment to addressing issues that are in tandem with sustainable development goals.
Eligible Courses for Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2025/2026 | Unlocking Life-changing Opportunity
The Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships are open to students pursuing research in a wide range of subjects. While the focus is primarily on fields that align with the development themes of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, the eligible courses span various disciplines such as:
- Health and Biomedical Sciences
- Engineering and Technology
- Environmental Science and Sustainability
- Education and Development
- Public Policy and Governance
- Social Sciences and Humanities
The specific courses eligible for the Commonwealth Split-site Scholarship 2025/2026 are determined by the participating universities in the UK. Each university may offer different programmes and research projects under this scholarship, and applicants are advised to review the available options carefully to ensure that their research interests align with the university’s offerings. Additionally, applicants should ensure their research aligns with one or more of the development themes of the CSC.
Eligible Countries for Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2025/2026 | Unlocking Life-changing Opportunity
The Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2025/2026 are open to applicants from a wide range of countries that are part of the Commonwealth. The scheme targets low and middle-income countries, particularly those in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. The scholarships aim to provide opportunities for researchers from countries with the potential to benefit most from advanced academic and research training in the United Kingdom.
The eligible countries are: Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia.
How to Apply for Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2025/2026 | Unlocking Life-changing Opportunity
The application process for the Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2025/2026 is straightforward but requires meticulousness. Applicants must first secure an offer of admission from a UK university that is participating in the Commonwealth Split-site Scholarship scheme. Once they have secured this offer, they can begin the application process by visiting the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website.
The application process require submitting an online application form, along with supporting documents that demonstrate the applicant’s qualifications, research proposal, and alignment with the development themes of the scholarship. Applicants are also required to provide references from academic mentors or professionals in their field who can vouch for their capabilities and potential.
Though, each country may have specific guidelines regarding the application process, and applicants should consult their national Commonwealth Scholarship Commission or the relevant authority for more information on how to apply.
Supporting Documentation
To apply for the Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships, applicants will need to submit a range of supporting documents as part of their application such as:
- A valid passport or other proof of citizenship
- Academic transcripts and qualifications
- A research proposal outlining the candidate’s proposed project
- References from academic supervisors or other professionals
- Proof of acceptance or offer from a UK university
- English language proficiency test results (if applicable)
It is essential that applicants ensure all documents are submitted in accordance with the requirements outlined by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission as incomplete applications or missing documents can lead to disqualification.
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Selection Process for Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2025/2026 | Unlocking Life-changing Opportunity
The selection process for the Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2025/2026 is highly competitive, with a rigorous review procedure to ensure that only the most deserving candidates are awarded. Submitted applications are evaluated on the basis of academic excellence, the quality of the research proposal, and the applicant’s potential to contribute to the development of their home country.
Key assessment areas
- Academic excellence
- Quality of the research proposal and,
- Applicant’s potential to contribute to the development of their home country
Candidates who meet the basic eligibility requirements will be shortlisted for interviews, during which they will have the opportunity to discuss their research plans and demonstrate their passion for making a positive impact. The final decision is based on a combination of academic qualifications, research potential, and alignment with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s development themes.
Application Deadline
16 December 2025
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