Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships
Provided by Commonwealth Distance Learning
This round closed on 26 Apr 2021.
Many scholarships reopen each year — check the official page below for the current cycle, or browse the ones open now.
About this Scholarship
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships are offered for citizens of certain developing Commonwealth countries.
These scholarships are funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), with the aim of contributing to the UK’s international development aims and wider overseas interests, supporting excellence in UK higher education, and sustaining the principles of the Commonwealth.
The purpose of these scholarships is to contribute to the development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled and qualified professionals in key development areas.
The intended beneficiaries are 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.
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are aimed at those unable to study in the UK for financial and other reasons.
These scholarships are offered under six 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
All applications must be submitted by 17:00 (BST) on 26 April 2021 at the latest.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship, you must:
- Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible country, as listed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible country.
- Be applying for a Master’s course at a UK university that offers a distance learning option.
- Hold a first-class honours degree of at least upper second class honours degree or equivalent qualification.
- Have at least two years of relevant work experience.
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
How to Apply
<ol><li>Check your eligibility and ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.</li><li>Choose a course that is eligible for the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship and is offered by a participating UK university.</li><li>Submit an application for the course through the university’s online application system.</li><li>Submit a separate application for the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s online application system.</li><li>Ensure you submit your application by the deadline, which is 17:00 (BST) on 26 April 2021.</li></ol>
Scholarship at a glance
| Deadline | 26 April 2021 |
|---|---|
| Study level | Postgraduate |
| Type | International |
| Provider | Commonwealth Distance Learning |
Common questions
Who is eligible for the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships?
To apply you need to meet these conditions: To be eligible for a Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship, you must: Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible country, as listed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. Be permanently resident in an eligible country. Be applying for a Master’s course at a UK university that offers a distance learning option. Hold a first-class honours degree of at least upper second class honours degree or equivalent qualification. Have at least two years of relevant work experience. Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
What is the last date to apply for the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships?
Applications close on 26 April 2021. Apply before this date — late submissions are not considered.
How do I apply for the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships?
Apply in 5 steps: Check your eligibility and ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.; Choose a course that is eligible for the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship and is offered by a participating UK university.; Submit an application for the course through the university’s online application system.; Submit a separate application for the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s online application system.; Ensure you submit your application by the deadline, which is 17:00 (BST) on 26 April 2021..
Which students can apply for the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships?
This scholarship is open to postgraduate students and is run by Commonwealth Distance Learning.
Compare with similar scholarships
Other scholarships of the same type, and what each one awards.
- Award
- $250
- Deadline
- 10 Mar 2018
- Level
- All
- Deadline
- 29 Jan 2021
- Level
- All
- Award
- Up to £10,000
- Deadline
- 30 Jun 2026
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Award
- Full tuition, monthly allowance, books and instructional materials, medical insurance, and travel ex
- Level
- All
| Scholarship | Award | Deadline | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 Auto Transport Annual Scholarship | $250 | 10 Mar 2018 | All |
| AberDoc Scholarship For Research Postgraduates-Aberystwyth University | — | 29 Jan 2021 | All |
| Aberystwyth University Scholarships | Up to £10,000 | 30 Jun 2026 | Undergraduate |
| The Asian Development Bank (ADB) – Japan Scholarship Program (JSP) | Full tuition, monthly allowance, books and instructional materials, medical insurance, and travel ex | — | All |
A dash means that scholarship has not published the detail.