MastersFully Funded

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries

Commonwealth Distance Learning Master's Scholarships fund African professionals to study a UK master's part-time from home — tuition is fully covered, with no need to leave work or family.

Provider: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC)
Host country: Multiple

Official source Track this application

Applying from your country? See your edition: Kenya · Nigeria · Ghana · Ethiopia · Uganda · Tanzania · Rwanda · Angola · Mozambique · São Tomé & Príncipe · Senegal · Cameroon · Ivory Coast · Benin · Togo · DR Congo

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply: Candidates must be citizens of or be granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country, and hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard.
Funding: Fully Funded
Study level: Masters
Deadline: Not recorded — check provider

Key eligibility criteria

Candidates must be citizens of or be granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country, and hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard.

Recorded funding information

Fully Funded

About the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries (2026)

Commonwealth Distance Learning Master's Scholarships fund African and other Commonwealth professionals to complete a UK master's degree by distance learning, without leaving home, family or employment. The award is run by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and a curated list of UK universities that offer fully online or blended master's programmes. ## Why this scholarship matters for African applicants This is the most accessible Commonwealth route for working African professionals who cannot leave their current role. Fields covered include public health, education leadership, agricultural development, climate science, governance and digital skills. Many scholars use it to step into senior roles in their existing organisation. ## What the award covers Full UK university distance-learning tuition fees for the entire master's degree (typically 1.5–3 years part-time). The award does not cover living costs, travel or laptop — because you remain in your home country and continue working, no living stipend is needed. ## How the selection process works Applications go directly to the participating UK university's Commonwealth Distance Learning round (not through a national agency). Each university sets its own deadline and runs its own shortlisting before forwarding candidates to the CSC for final selection. ## Application tips that move the needle Pick a course on the current Commonwealth Distance Learning prospectus and apply by the university's specific CSC-eligible deadline (usually earlier than the standard distance learning intake). Write the development impact plan around how you will apply the degree in your current job — that current-employer impact is a strong differentiator. ## Deadlines and intake windows University deadlines fall between February and May for the following autumn intake. Check the CSC's annual list of participating universities and confirm the course-specific date directly on the university's website. ## Useful internal reading - Browse open scholarships: https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/scholarships - How to write a winning scholarship essay: https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/blog/how-to-write-winning-scholarship-essay - Scholarship interview questions for African students: https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/blog/scholarship-interview-questions-african-students Always confirm the live intake on the sponsor's official site before you build a timeline around it.

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

Fully Funded

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries eligibility

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Candidates must be citizens of or be granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country, and hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard.

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

How to apply for the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries 2026

Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

1
Check the provider's process
Consult https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-distance-learning-scholarships-candidates-2022/ to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.
2
Check eligibility and any requested materials
Listed eligibility: Candidates must be citizens of or be granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country, and hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.
3
Check dates and next steps
Check the provider's current dates and follow-up instructions. No deadline or rolling application policy is assumed here.

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries deadline & application timeline

No deadline is recorded in this listing. Check the official source; this does not imply rolling applications. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

Planning suggestion: 12 months out
Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.
Planning suggestion: 6 months out
If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.
Planning suggestion: 3 months out
If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.
Planning suggestion: 1 month out
If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.
Provider deadline
No deadline is recorded in this listing. Check the official source for dates and any cutoff or time zone.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

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Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries?+

Candidates must be citizens of or be granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country, and hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard.

What funding does the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries offer?+

Listed funding: Fully Funded. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

When is the application deadline?+

No deadline is recorded in this listing. Check the official source; a missing date does not mean applications are rolling.

What documents do I need to apply?+

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

How do I check the application process?+

Consult https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-distance-learning-scholarships-candidates-2022/ to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: Candidates must be citizens of or be granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country, and hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Check the provider's current dates and follow-up instructions. No deadline or rolling application policy is assumed here.

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