Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships is open to students from Bangladesh, Cameroon, Eswatini, The Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, India, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, The Gambia, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia.

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships

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.

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships Eligible Countries

  • Bangladesh
  • Cameroon
  • Eswatini
  • The Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guyana
  • India
  • Kenya
  • Kiribati
  • Lesotho
  • Malawi
  • Mozambique
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Rwanda
  • Samoa
  • Sierra Leone
  • Solomon Islands
  • Sri Lanka
  • Tanzania
  • The Gambia
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • Vanuatu
  • Zambia

Commonwealth Scholarships Eligibility:

To be eligible for the Commonwealth scholarships, you must be;
  • a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
  • permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
  • holder of a first degree of at least second class upper division (2:1); a lower qualification and sufficient relevant experience may be considered in certain cases
  • 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. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination, and encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates.

Distance Learning Selection Criteria:

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

How to Apply for the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships

Get Application Form Here.

You must apply to study an eligible master’s course at a UK university that is participating in the Distance Learning scheme.

Please see the full list of participating universities and eligible courses.

You must also apply and secure admission to your university 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.

All applications must be submitted by midday 17:00 PM (BST) on 26 April 2022 at the latest.

Your application must include the following supporting documentation by 17:00 (BST) on 9 May 2022 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 2022-2023 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.

Visit the official Commonwealth distance learning scholarship webpage here