2026 Commonwealth PhD and Masters Scholarships in the United Kingdom

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the United Kingdom, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, invites applications from qualified Kenyan citizens for consideration for the 2026 Commonwealth Scholarships. The scholarships are tenable in the UK and aim to support academic excellence and promote development in line with key thematic priorities.

The Ministry is authorized to nominate five (5) PhD and nineteen (19) Master’s degree candidates for the 2026 cycle. The final selection of successful candidates will be undertaken by the CSC, and awards will be tenable at any approved UK university that hosts Commonwealth scholars.

Application Timeline

• CSC Application Portal Opens: 2 September 2025
• CSC Application Portal Closes: 14 October 2025
• Ministry of Education Deadline for Submission: 16 October 2025 at 5:00 PM (EAT)

Eligibility Criteria

A. Master’s Degree Applicants

Applicants for Master’s study must meet the following requirements:

1. Proof of Kenyan citizenship.
2. A Bachelor’s degree with at least Second Class Upper Division from a recognized university, along with all official university transcripts.
3. Two (2) signed reference letters on letterheaded paper.
4. A well-articulated proposal detailing the chosen area of study and its expected impact on Kenya’s development.
5. A comprehensive study plan aligned with the selected academic program.
6. Availability to begin academic studies in the UK by September 2026.

B. PhD Applicants

PhD candidates must fulfill the following conditions:

1. Proof of Kenyan citizenship.
2. A Master’s degree from a recognized university, including certified transcripts and certificates.
3. Two (2) signed reference letters on letterheaded paper.
4. A supporting statement from a proposed supervisor at a UK university.
5. A clear and relevant research proposal with demonstrable development impact for Kenya.
6. A quality study plan.
7. Candidates must not be registered for a PhD or MPhil (leading to a PhD) in Kenya or the UK before September/October 2026.

Development Themes

The 2026 Commonwealth Scholarships are offered under the following six thematic areas:

1. Science and Technology for Development
2. Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship
3. Strengthening Resilience and Response to Crises
4. Strengthening Health Systems and Capacity
5. Strengthening Global Peace, Security, and Governance
6. Access, Inclusion, and Opportunity

Applicants must ensure that their proposals align with at least one of these thematic areas.

Application Process

All applicants must follow the dual application process:

1. Commonwealth Scholarship Commission Application

• Apply through the CSC online application system. Each scholarship type (PhD or Master’s) has a dedicated “How to Apply” section available at the following links:
  • PhD: Commonwealth PhD Scholarships – Least Developed Countries
  • Master’s: Commonwealth Masters Scholarships
• The CSC does not accept applications submitted outside its online portal or after the specified deadline.
• Print a copy of the completed CSC application form before submission.

2. Ministry of Education Submission

Applicants must also submit a separate application to the Ministry of Education by following these steps:

• Download the Standard Scholarship Application Form from the Ministry’s website: www.education.go.ke
• Complete the form and attach two (2) sets of the following certified documents:
  • Identification documents (e.g. ID, Passport, Birth Certificate)
  • Academic and professional certificates
  • Official transcripts
  • A well-articulated proposal in the area of study
  • A printed copy of the CSC online application form
• Submit the application to the Directorate of Higher Education at either of the following:
  • Postal Address:
    Director, Higher Education
    P.O. Box 9583 – 00200
    Nairobi, Kenya
  • Physical Delivery:
    Telposta Towers, 27th Floor, Room 2701
  • Submission Deadline: 16 October 2025, by 5:00 PM EAT

Important Notes

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email or phone for interviews.
• All foreign academic qualifications must be recognized by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

This prestigious opportunity enables Kenyan students to pursue postgraduate studies at leading UK universities while contributing to national and global development goals. Prospective candidates are advised to begin preparations early and ensure complete submission of both online and Ministry-level applications.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.