2026 Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships
Application Deadline: As determined by each participating UK university
Study Mode: Distance Learning (Study from your home country)
Funded By: UK Government
The Commonwealth Distance Learning programme is one of the three Master’s programmes offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP).
This programme supports talented individuals from eligible Commonwealth countries to pursue a UK Master’s degree remotely while remaining in their home country.
Purpose of the Scholarship
The scholarship aims to:
- Contribute to the development needs of Commonwealth countries
- Train skilled professionals in key development areas
- Support candidates who cannot access such training locally
- Build leadership and innovation capacity in home countries
Scholarship Benefits
The Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Study grants (where required)
Note: You cannot hold another scholarship covering the same costs at the same time.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be a citizen or refugee of an eligible Commonwealth country
- Be permanently resident in a developing Commonwealth country
- Hold at least a 2:1 (Upper Second Class) degree by September 2026
- Lower qualifications with strong relevant experience may be considered
- Demonstrate financial need
- Submit all required documents before the deadline
Eligible Countries
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.
Selection Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
- Academic merit
- Quality of study plan
- Development impact potential
- Leadership potential
Each participating UK university conducts its own selection before submitting nominations to the CSC.
Required Documents
Applicants must upload:
- Valid passport or national ID
- Full academic transcripts (with certified translations if needed)
- Two references (PDF, signed, institutional letterhead or official email evidence)
Applications without complete documentation will be disqualified.
Application Process
Applicants must:
- List academic qualifications
- Provide employment history
- Submit up to 10 publications/prizes (if applicable)
- Provide details of three referees (one must be current employer if applicable)
- Submit a 4-part Development Impact Statement
- Provide a detailed study plan
- Submit a personal statement
- Outline short-term and long-term career plans
The CSC does not charge any application fee.
Development Impact Statement (4 Parts)
- How the scholarship relates to global, national, and local development issues
- How skills gained will be applied after completion
- Expected development outcomes and beneficiaries
- How impact will be measured
How to Apply
Applicants must apply through the participating UK university offering the eligible course.
Visit the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission webpage for full details and application links.
