Commonwealth Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships 2026 | Fully Funded

Commonwealth Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships 2026

If you’ve been dreaming of advancing your education from a world-class UK university without leaving your home country, the Commonwealth Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships might be the opportunity that would make that dream a reality.

Let’s explore what this fully funded scholarship is all about and how you can grab it.

Commonwealth Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships Summary

  • Sponsor: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC)
  • Scholarship Category: Masters Scholarships
  • Eligible Countries: Commonwealth Countries
  • Scholarship Benefits: Tuition fees, Networking, etc.
  • Application Deadline: 20th May, 2025

What are the Commonwealth Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships?

Offered through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC), this programme is a part of a larger framework known as the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP). Backed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), it supports individuals from eligible low and middle-income Commonwealth countries to access postgraduate education remotely.

The goal is to empower exceptional individuals to develop critical skills, foster leadership, and drive sustainable development—without ever needing to leave their home country.

Why Choose This Scholarship?

The Commonwealth Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships are designed to:

  • Bridge educational gaps in low and middle-income nations.
  • Train future changemakers, leaders, and innovators.
  • Enable access to UK-level postgraduate education remotely.
  • Promote global partnerships through education.
  • Support a wide range of disciplines aligned with developmental needs.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the Commonwealth Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships, you must:

  • Be a citizen or hold refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country.
  • Be permanently resident in a developing Commonwealth nation.
  • Hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) standard (lower degrees may be accepted with sufficient experience).
  • Demonstrate financial need (i.e., be unable to afford study without the scholarship).

List of Eligible Countries (2026)

Includes: Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia

What Does the Scholarship Cover?

The scholarship fully funds:

  • All tuition fees for eligible part-time UK Master’s courses.
  • Online learning resources to support study.
  • Access to UK academic expertise and networks remotely.

Courses and Universities

Applicants can choose from a list of approved Master’s courses offered by participating UK universities. These courses are carefully selected to align with CSC’s development themes, including:

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

You can explore course options via:

What Makes a Strong Application?

CSC evaluates applicants based on:

  • Academic merit
  • Development potential – Can your work drive change in your home country?
  • Relevance of the course to your future goals
  • Leadership and voluntary experience
  • Quality of references and personal statements

Key Documents Required

Make sure you prepare:

  • Two references in PDF format
  • Valid passport or national ID
  • Degree certificates and full academic transcripts
  • Detailed CV or employment history
  • Personal statement and Development Impact Statement

Each document must be uploaded before the application deadline, or the application will be considered ineligible.

Timeline You Should Know

MilestoneDate
Application Deadline20 May 2025, 16:00 GMT
University NominationsJune 2025
CSC Scholarship ConfirmationAugust 2025
Course StartSeptember/October 2025

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Apply for admission to one (or more) eligible Master’s courses at a participating UK university.
  2. Apply separately for the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship through the CSC’s online system.
  3. Upload required documents:
    • Passport/ID proof of nationality
    • Full academic transcripts (with translations if not in English)
    • Two referees’ letters on official letterhead or from a professional email address
  4. Write your Development Impact Statement, personal statement, and detailed study plan.
  5. Submit by 20 May 2025 at 16:00 GMT.

Click here to Get Admission or Scholarship Statement of Purpose/Motivation Letter from a Professional.

Remember: Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Final Tips for Applicants

  • Start early: securing references and transcripts can take time.
  • Apply to more than one course/university, but you can only accept one scholarship.
  • Focus your application on how you will create positive change in your home country.
  • Be clear, concise, and compelling in your Development Impact and Personal Statement.

Commonwealth Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships 2026

Commonwealth Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships 2026

Commonwealth Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships 2026

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