At least 24 Kenyans will have the opportunity to receive a lucrative education in the United Kingdom through the Commonwealth PhD and Master's scholarships.
In a statement on Tuesday August 5, the Ministry of Education announced that applications were now open for five PhD and 19 Master's scholarships in the UK.
The Ministry noted in the notice that the scholarships would be tenable at any UK university approved to host Commonwealth scholarship recipients.
“The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the United Kingdom (UK) invites the Ministry of Education to nominate Five (5) PhD and Nineteen (19) Master's Kenyan citizens for consideration for full scholarships award tenable in 2026,” noted the Ministry.
“The awards are tenable at any approved United Kingdom University that hosts CSC awardees,” it added.
As such, the Ministry urged interested applicants to visit its website for more information on how to apply for the limited slots.
At the same time, it disclosed that the application window would run for 43 days, after which it would expire and be closed.
“For more details on the application procedure, kindly visit the Ministry’s website under the scholarship theme. The online application opens on 2nd September, 2025, and closes on 14th October, 2025,” stated the Ministry.
Applications were to be submitted to the Ministry of Education on or before October 16, 2025, at 5pm.
To be considered for selection, candidates typically have to meet the set requirements for the two levels of scholarship. For a Master's, a candidate must have proof of Kenyan citizenship, a Bachelor’s degree, and at least 2nd-class upper division from a recognized university. The applicant must also demonstrate a strong academic background and have all university transcripts.
Further, the applicant must have signed supporting statements from two referees on a letterheaded paper. Another requirement is a proposal in the area of study, clearly showing the potential impact on the development of Kenya, plus a quality study plan.
The applicant must also be available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2026.
On the other hand, a PhD candidate must provide proof of Kenyan citizenship and have a Master’s Degree from a recognized university with a strong academic background. The candidate is also required to attach all academic transcripts and certificates.
Other requirements are signed supporting statements from two referees on letterhead paper, a supporting statement from a proposed supervisor in the UK from at least one of the institutions one has applied and a proposal in the area of study clearly showing the potential impact on the development of Kenya.
Aside from having a quality study plan, an applicant should not be registered for a PhD, or an MPhil, leading to a PhD, at a UK university or in Kenya, before September/October 2026.
The scholarships are awarded under six development themes, such as science and technology for development, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as strengthening resilience and response to crises
Other themes include strengthening health systems and capacity, strengthening global peace, security, and governance, as well as access, inclusion, and opportunity.
