Applications open for the Commonwealth Distance Learning Masters Scholarships 2024/2025

The Commonwealth Distance Learning Masters Scholarships for the 2024/2025 academic year are now accepting applications. This programme is part of the three Master’s programmes offered by the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) administers this scholarship scheme on behalf of the UK government, focusing on international development goals. It operates under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship plan (CSFP) and showcases the UK’s ongoing dedication to the Commonwealth. The CSC aims to attract talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, nurture their potential, and empower them to become leaders and innovators in their home countries. This initiative aligns sustainable development with the UK’s national interests, fostering international partnerships and collaborations.

Purpose:

Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships provide opportunities for individuals to acquire essential skills and knowledge for sustainable development that may not be available in their home countries.

Applicant Eligibility:

To qualify for a Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship, applicants must:

– Be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country, hold refugee status in a Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
– Reside permanently in a developing Commonwealth country.
– Possess a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard. In certain cases, relevant experience and a lower qualification may be considered.
– Demonstrate financial need and inability to pursue the programme without this scholarship.

Eligible Coutries

List of eligible countries according to the DAC list published in January 2022:

1. Bangladesh
2. Belize
3. Botswana
4. Cameroon
5. Dominica
6. Eswatini
7. Fiji
8. Gabon
9. Ghana
10. Grenada
11. Guyana
12. India
13. Jamaica
14. Kenya
15. Kiribati
16. Lesotho
17. Malawi
18. Malaysia
19. Maldives
20. Mauritius
21. Montserrat
22. Mozambique
23. Namibia
24. Nauru
25. Nigeria
26. Pakistan
27. Papua New Guinea
28. Rwanda
29. Saint Helena
30. Saint Lucia
31. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
32. Samoa
33. Sierra Leone
34. Solomon Islands
35. South Africa
36. Sri Lanka
37. Tanzania
38. The Gambia
39. Togo
40. Tonga
41. Tuvalu
42. Uganda
43. Vanuatu
44. Zambia

Benefits of the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship include coverage of tuition fees and study grants, if required. It is important to note that other scholarships, awards, or bursaries that cover the same costs cannot be held concurrently.

The selection process for the scholarship involves each participating UK university conducting its own recruitment process to select a specific number of applicants. These selected applicants are then put forward to the CSC (Commonwealth Scholarship Commission) in early May 2024. The CSC will verify the eligibility of these applicants for the scheme, and the universities will inform the applicants of their results in July 2024.

The selection criteria for the scholarship include the academic merit of the applicant and the potential impact of their work on the development of their home country.

When choosing a university/course, candidates can refer to the list of eligible courses for 2024, which can be found on the “how to apply” tab, sorted by CSC development theme. Additionally, candidates may find resources such as the Study UK – British Council website, Postgrad.com, Research Excellent Framework 2021 results, UCAS Postgraduate, and Unistats helpful in researching their choices of institution.

Access Unistats, the official platform for comparing data on higher education programs in the UK. UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) offers guidance to international students in selecting a program of study.

Application

• Learn about the application process for the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships for the academic year 2024/25.
• The deadline for applications is 16:00 GMT on Thursday, 28 March 2024.
• These scholarships are intended for studies commencing in September/October 2024. All applications to the CSC must be completed through the CSC’s online application system. The CSC does not accept any applications or documents that are not submitted via the online system.
• Applicants are required to apply for and secure admission to an approved Master’s program at a participating UK university, in addition to applying for a Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship through the CSC’s online platform.
• Check out the complete list of approved programs and participating UK universities.
• For further details, please visit the official website of the Commonwealth Distance Learning Masters Scholarships.