Applications are now open for the 2025/2026 Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. It operates within the framework of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship plan (CSFP) and offers a vivid demonstration of the UK’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth. By attracting individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds and supporting them to become leaders and innovators on returning to their home countries, the CSC’s work combines sustainable development with the UK national interest and provides opportunities for international partnerships and collaboration.
Intended beneficiaries: Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships are for candidate from eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries, to undertake part-time taught Master’s study with UK universities while remaining in their home countries.
Applicant eligibility
To be eligible for a Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship, applicants should:
- Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, 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 and sufficient relevant experience may be considered in certain cases.
- Be unable to afford to study the programme without this scholarship.
Eligible countries
Please see list of eligible countries below as stated in the DAC List published in 2024.
- 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
Benefits
- A Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship covers tuition fees and study grants where required.
- For study based in the UK, the CSC will cover the cost of airfare to/from your home country to the UK, visa costs and a living allowance.
How to Apply
- The deadline for submitting an application is 16:00 GMT on Tuesday 20 May 2025. The scholarships are for study beginning in September/October 2025.
- Applications to the CSC must be made using the CSC’s online application system.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships
Application Deadline: 20 May 2025.
