PhD
Recommended UK Universities for Distance Learning
Recommended UK Universities for Distance Learning -, Post a Comment
- Provider
- Various
- Host country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Europe
About this scholarship
[starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/)
[June 1, 2021August 3, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/06/01/)
British education is recognized globally for its challenging environment, academic excellence, and well-rounded opportunities for Africans. If you’re an aspiring African scholar or just interested in an education from [universities in the United Kingdom](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/europes-top-colleges-part-i/) (UK) but cannot afford to move to the country just yet, then you might consider distance learning.
Distance learning enables foreign students to receive education entirely through online means. Teaching comes in the form of online classes, video recordings, video conferencing, or any other audio/visual technology medium.
Given the changing times and [current global health climate](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/college-admissions-trends-covid-19/), more African scholars and students have been preferring online mediums for studies. In fact, a recent [UKEAS survey](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/more-west-africans-study-in-uk/) has revealed a spike in West Africans interest to study in the UK.
In this list, we’ve checked esteemed and recommended UK universities that are included in prestigious international rankings such as the QS Rankings 2020 and Times Higher Education Rankings 2020 to see if they also offer distance learning alternatives.
Here are some of our recommended UK universities for distance learning:
## University of Nottingham
**Distance learning degree offered:** Master’s Degree, PhD, Postgraduate Certificate **QS Ranking:** 96
**World University Ranking:** 152
[The University of Nottingham](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/international-applicants/scholarships/index.aspx) has an impressive range of international scholarship offerings on its website, dedicated to helping international and EU students make positive impacts on their studies and careers.
Their distance learning courses offer Russell Group quality education all the while allowing its students to work around their existing schedules by studying part-time.
## University of Leeds
**Distance learning degree offered:** Master’s Degree, Postgraduate Diploma
**QS Ranking:** 93
**World University Ranking:** 155
The [University of Leeds](http://www.leeds.ac.uk/internationalstudents), established in 1904, is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK. It is located in West Yorkshire, a lively and multi-cultural city within the heart of UK.
The university is one of the 24 Russell Group universities that share a research-intensive teaching approach and has earned a high academic reputation over the years. Their online degree offerings encompass Engineering, Humanities, Business, and Education, among others.
## King’s College London
**Distance learning degree offered:** Master’s Degree, Postgraduate Diploma, PhD
**QS Ranking:** 33
**World University Ranking:** 36
Notable for its health and research programs, [King’s College London](https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/international) (KCL) is among the oldest and most prestigious colleges in London. They have housed 12 Nobel Prize winners among their alumni and former staff over the years.
They offer flexible online learning which allows for students to start at their own pace and time. Not to mention, the college also covers a variety of areas, including Business Management, History, Law, and Philosophy.
## The University of Manchester
**Distance learning degree offered:** Pre-Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, Postgraduate Certificate
**QS Ranking:** 27
**World University Ranking:** 55
Known as the largest single-site UK university, [The University of Manchester](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/) prides itself on being a center of research and teaching excellence, as well as a part of the Russell Group university. The institution has 25 Nobel Prize winners among its current and former staff and students.
Famous for its MBA, Marketing, and Business programs, The University of Manchester currently caters some 38,000 students, and 9,000 of them come from foreign countries.
## The University of Edinburgh
**Distance learning degree offered:** Bachelor’s Degree **QS Ranking:** 20
**World University Ranking:** 30
[The University of Edinburgh](https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/international) offers flexible online programs that usually take about three years to accomplish. Since these programs have the same amount of work as a normal degree, it will not be necessary to mention for them that you completed the program online.
In addition to quality online resources, The University of Edinburgh offers access to career consultants and IT support to help make distance learning easier.
## University College London
**Distance learning degree offered:** Master’s Degrees and Graduate Diploma
**QS Ranking:** 8
**World University Ranking:** 15
[University College London](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/international/) (UCL) is best considered in relation to Cambridge and Oxford. It stands out in academic research and multi-disciplinary studies. Furthermore, their distance learning options include a wide range of subjects such as Neurology, Education, Sports, and Security.
* * *
Most people can only dream of getting into a UK universityー and because of distance learning offerings, these dreams are more attainable than ever. Are you ready to take the next step to turn yours into reality?
#### _Do you want to be an African Scholar?_ **ALSO SEE:** [**Interested in a University in the UK?**](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/interested-in-a-university-in-the-uk/)
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Eligibility criteria
Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.
- Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible African country
- Currently applying to or enrolled at the PhD level
- Willing to study in United Kingdom
- Strong academic record — typically a minimum GPA equivalent to a UK 2:1 / US 3.3
- English-language proficiency demonstrated by IELTS, TOEFL or an MOI letter
- Two academic or professional references able to speak to your potential
Required documents
A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.
- Valid international passport (bio page scan)
- Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
- Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
- Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
- Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
- Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
- Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
- Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
- Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
- Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders
Deadline timeline
The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.
- 12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
- 6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
- 3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
- 1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
- Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.
Editorial verification note
The page was not found.
Last checked 5/8/2026
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the Recommended UK Universities for Distance Learning?+
Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the PhD level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Various, and be able to relocate to United Kingdom for the duration of the programme.
Is the Recommended UK Universities for Distance Learning fully funded?+
Funding model: Funding type varies — check the official site. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.
When is the application deadline?+
The application deadline is varies by intake — see the official site. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
What documents do I need to apply?+
At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.
How can I improve my chance of winning?+
Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.