Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries

This scholarship pays for part-time Master's study by distance learning on selected courses run by UK universities. It is aimed at candidates from least developed and lower middle income Commonwealth countries.

Because the study is online and part-time, you can keep living and working in your home country while you earn a UK Master's degree.

• Host: participating UK universities
• Level: part-time Master's by distance learning
• Study destination: online, from your home country
• Deadline: 31 March 2026 at 16:00 (GMT)
• Awards: number not specified
• Covered: tuition fees and study grants where required

Several UK universities take part. The eligible distance learning Master's courses are listed on the official page.

Check the list of eligible distance learning Master's courses offered by participating UK institutions before you apply.

The source does not state how many scholarships are awarded.

Open to nationals of these Commonwealth developing countries:

Bangladesh, Belize, Cameroon, Eswatini, Ghana, 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

The award covers your tuition fees. It also provides study grants where they are required.

To apply, you must meet all of the following:

• Be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country, or have been granted refugee status by one, or be a British Protected Person
• Be permanently resident in a developing Commonwealth country
• Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard. A lower qualification plus sufficient relevant experience may be considered in certain cases
• Be unable to afford the programme without this scholarship

Applications are currently closed.

You have to do two things: get admitted to an approved Master's course at a participating UK university, and apply for the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship itself. Ask your chosen university about its own application timing, admission requirements and rules.

Submit the scholarship application through the CSC's Electronic Application System (EAS). This is separate from whatever the university asks you to complete. The final deadline is 16:00 (GMT) on 31 March 2026.

Read the official website (link below) for full application details. Send any questions about the scholarship to the university you are applying to.

This suits you if you live in one of the listed Commonwealth developing countries, cannot fund a Master's yourself, and want to study part-time online rather than move abroad. You need a first degree at 2:1 level or above, though relevant work experience may count if your qualification is lower.

It also fits applicants who can manage a UK university's admission process alongside the scholarship application, since both are required.

• Who can apply for this scholarship? Citizens of the eligible Commonwealth countries listed above, refugees recognised by one of them, and British Protected Persons, provided they live permanently in a developing Commonwealth country.
• What does the scholarship cover? Tuition fees and study grants where required.
• What is the deadline? 16:00 (GMT) on 31 March 2026.
• How do I apply? Apply to an approved Master's course at a participating UK university, then submit the scholarship application through the CSC's Electronic Application System (EAS).
• Can I study on campus instead? No. This scholarship is for part-time Master's study by distance learning on selected courses.
• Do I need to contact the university? Yes. Ask your chosen university about its admission requirements, timing and rules, and direct scholarship enquiries to it.

• Read the official guidelines and the eligible course list before starting either application.
• Prepare your degree certificates, transcripts and references early so nothing delays you.
• Check whether your university needs an English language test and what score it accepts.
• Submit the EAS form well before the deadline in case of technical problems.
• Keep copies of everything you send to the university and to the CSC.