Canon Collins Trust Fully-Funded Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, UK 2024

Canon Collins Trust acts as a nominating agency for Commonwealth Scholarships. We annually nominate 14 individuals for fully-funded Commonwealth Scholarships for PhD study at any UK university.

Scholarships are offered under six development themes and all candidates must apply under one of these themes:

• Science and technology for development
• Strengthening health systems and capacity
• Promoting global prosperity
• Strengthening global peace, security and governance
• Strengthening resilience and response to crises
• Access, inclusion and opportunity

About Canon Collins

The Educational Trust for southern Africa was founded in 1981 by the British Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa (BDAF), principally by Ethel de Keyser, director of BDAF and Canon John Collins, the founder of BDAF. After the passing of Canon Collins, the Trust was renamed the Canon Collins Educational Trust for southern Africa.

Canon Collins Trust Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

Aim and Benefits of Canon Collins Trust Commonwealth PhD Scholarships

Each scholarship provides:

• Approved airfare from the Scholar’s home country to the UK and return at the end of the award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor the cost of journeys made before the award is confirmed).
• Approved tuition fees: full fees are covered by agreement between the CSC and the UK university, and Scholars are not liable to pay for any part of the tuition fee.
• Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,347 per month, or £1,652 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels).
• Warm clothing allowance, where applicable.
• Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
• Provision towards the cost of fieldwork undertaken overseas (the cost of one economy class return airfare to the fieldwork location), where approved.
• Paid mid-term visit (airfare) to the Scholar’s home country, unless they have claimed or intend to claim spouse and/or child allowances during their scholarship or have received a return airfare to their home country for fieldwork.
• Family allowances, as follows (rates quoted at current levels):
  • If a Scholar is accompanied by their spouse but no children: spouse allowance of £290 per month for a maximum period of nine months, if they and their spouse are living together at the same address in the UK (unless the spouse is also in receipt of a scholarship; other conditions also apply).
  • If a Scholar is accompanied by their spouse and children: spouse allowance of £290 per month and child allowance of £290 per month for the first child, and £143 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if their spouse and children are living with them at the same address in the UK (unless their spouse is also in receipt of a scholarship; other conditions also apply).
  • If a Scholar is accompanied by their children but no spouse: child allowance of £576.61 per month for the first child, and £143 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if their children are living with them at the same address in the UK.

Requirements for Canon Collins Trust Commonwealth PhD Scholarships Qualification

To apply for this scholarship through Canon Collins Trust you must:

• Be a national of, or have refugee status, and  be permanently resident in one of the following countries: Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique or Zambia
• By October 2022, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second class (2:2) degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (a Master’s degree)
• Have the support of a potential supervisor from at least one UK university listed in your application form
• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship

• NOT be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university or in your home country before September/October 2023

• Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format. Applications with any outstanding documents or reference letters will not be considered!

For full eligibility criteria please see the Commonwealth PhD Scholarships terms and conditions

Application Deadline

How to Apply

You must make your application using the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s (CSC) online application system, identifying the Canon Collins Trust as your nominating body. 

For more details visit: Canon Collins Trust website.