Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships are open for candidates from least developed and lower-middle-income Commonwealth countries, for part-time Master’s study by distance learning on selected courses offered by UK universities.

Funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development. They are aimed at those unable to study in the UK for financial and other reasons.

The Scholarships are intended for high-quality postgraduate students who wish to access training not available in their home countries, who wish or need to remain in their home country while they study, and who have the potential to enhance the development of their home countries with the knowledge and leadership skills they acquire.

Scholarship Value

The Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship provides full tuition fees and all other compulsory costs of studying a UK Master’s course by distance learning. This includes the full cost of any residential components of a course.

These scholarships are offered under six themes:

1. Science and technology for development
2. Strengthening health systems and capacity
3. Promoting global prosperity
4. Strengthening global peace, security and governance
5. Strengthening resilience and response to crises
6. Access, inclusion and opportunity

Eligibility For Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships

To apply for these scholarships, you must:

• Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
• Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard; a lower qualification and sufficient relevant experience may be considered in certain cases.
• Be unable to afford to study your chosen course without this scholarship.

The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change. They are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination and encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates. The CSC is committed to administering and managing its scholarships and fellowships in a fair and transparent manner.

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships Selection Criteria

Selection Process

Each participating UK University will conduct its own recruitment process to select a specified number of candidates for Distance Learning Scholarships. Universities must put forward their selected candidates to the CSC before the deadline.

The CSC will then confirm that these candidates meet the eligibility criteria for this scheme and universities will inform candidates of their results.

Selection criteria include:

• Academic merit of the candidate
• Potential impact of the work on the development of the candidate’s home country

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships Eligible Countries

1. Bangladesh
2. Cameroon
3. Gambia
4. Ghana
5. Guyana
6. India
7. Kenya
8. Kiribati
9. Lesotho
10. Malawi
11. Mozambique
12. Nigeria
13. Pakistan
14. Papua New Guinea
15. Rwanda
16. Samoa
17. Sierra Leone
18. Solomon Islands
19. Sri Lanka
20. Swaziland
21. Tanzania
22. Tuvalu
23. Uganda
24. Vanuatu
25. Zambia

How To Apply For Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships

You must apply to study an eligible Master’s course at a UK university that is participating in the Distance Learning scheme. See a list of participating universities and eligible courses.

You must also secure admission to your course in addition to applying for a Distance Learning Scholarship. You must check with your chosen university for their specific advice on when to apply, admission requirements, and rules for applying. 

You must make your application using the CSC’s online application system, in addition to any other application that you are required to complete by your chosen university. The CSC will not accept any applications that are not submitted via the online application system.

You can apply for more than one course and/or to more than one university, but you may only accept one offer of a Distance Learning Scholarship.

Your application must include the following supporting documentation in order for your application to be eligible for consideration:

• At least one reference – submitted directly by the referee to the online application system (referees will be sent an email request)
• An offer letter to start their chosen course of study in the academic year – uploaded to the online application system
• Full transcripts detailing all your higher education qualifications (with certified translations if not in English) – uploaded to the online application system

The CSC will not accept supporting documentation submitted outside the online application system.

Supporting documentation uploaded to the online application system must be uploaded as files that are no more than 5 MB in size and must be in one of the following formats: PDF, .doc, .docx, .odt, .jpg, .jpeg. Files submitted in any other format (including Zip files and PDF Portfolios) will NOT be accepted.

Applicants are responsible for seeking permission from their referees in advance of submitting their application and for ensuring that their referees are available to complete the reference by the deadline and have received the reference request email from the online application system.

Candidates who have met the above criteria should CLICK HERE to apply

For more information, visit the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships.