The University of Pretoria (UP) Commonwealth Scholarship 2026 offers an exceptional opportunity for talented students from Commonwealth countries (excluding South Africa) to pursue a fully funded PhD degree in one of Africa’s top universities. This prestigious scholarship program is designed for individuals with outstanding academic achievements and leadership potential, aiming to advance UP’s research objectives while empowering the next generation of global leaders.
With diverse research opportunities across Law, Humanities, Engineering, Built Environment and IT, Health Sciences, Veterinary Science, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Economics and Management Sciences, and Theology and Religion, the scholarship provides access to world-class academic resources, cutting-edge facilities, and a vibrant research community in South Africa.
The program covers all major expenses, including tuition, accommodation, living costs, research expenses, and travel, ensuring scholars can focus entirely on their academic and research goals. You can also apply for the Chulabhorn Graduate Institute Scholarship in Thailand 2026 (Fully Funded)
University of Pretoria Commonwealth Scholarship 2026 Details:
- Host Country: South Africa
- Host University: University of Pretoria (UP)
- Funded By: UP Internal Bursary
- Study Level: Doctoral (PhD)
- Eligibility: Citizens of Commonwealth countries
Benefits of the UP Commonwealth Scholarship 2026:
- Full tuition fee coverage per year
- Financial support for accommodation and living expenses
- Coverage for meals and study materials (books, stationery)
- Access to medical facilities
- Round-trip air tickets (start & end of program)
- Shuttle service from the airport to UP upon arrival
- Reimbursement for university fees, medical aid, and visa costs (upon providing receipts)
- Opportunity to receive supplementary funds for research needs
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Available Fields of Study
The scholarship supports PhD studies in multiple academic disciplines, including:
- Law
- Humanities
- Engineering, Built Environment & IT
- Health Sciences
- Veterinary Science
- Natural and Agricultural Sciences
- Economics and Management Sciences
- Theology and Religion
Eligibility Criteria for the UP Commonwealth Scholarship 2026:
Applicants must:
- Be citizens of a Commonwealth country (excluding South Africa)
- Intend to start PhD studies at UP in 2026
- Have applied for admission to UP for the 2026 academic year
- Have selected a potential doctoral supervisor at UP
- Submit academic qualifications for evaluation to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
- Have completed a Master’s or postgraduate degree within the last 2 years
- Be under 40 years old at the time of application
- Not be currently registered or previously studied at UP for a PhD or Master’s degree
Required Documents:
- Motivation letter from doctoral supervisor
- One-page research outline
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) – max 3 pages
- Certificate of study leave (if applicable)
- Copy of passport
- Academic transcripts for all degrees
- Two reference forms
Deadline:
The application deadline for the University of Pretoria Commonwealth Scholarship 2026 is 20th September 2025.
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How to Apply for the UP Commonwealth Scholarship 2026?
Follow these steps to apply:
- Check eligibility to ensure you meet all requirements.
- Prepare your documents and combine them into a single PDF file.
- Apply for admission to the University of Pretoria for the 2026 academic year.
- Email your documents to [email protected] with the subject line: “UP Commonwealth 2026”.
- Submit your application through UP’s official application system if required.
- Wait for the selection results—shortlisted applicants may be contacted for further steps.
