Applications are open for Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships 2021/2022. Scholarships aim to contribute to the development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled and qualified professionals in key development areas.

These scholarships are for high-quality postgraduate students who wish to access training not available in their home countries, who wish or need to remain in their home country while they study, and who have the potential to enhance the development of their home countries with the knowledge and leadership skills they acquire.

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are aimed at those unable to study in the UK for financial and other reasons.

Themes

These scholarships are offered under six themes:

• Science and technology for development
• Strengthening health systems and capacity
• Promoting global prosperity
• Strengthening global peace, security and governance
• Strengthening resilience and response to crises
• Access, inclusion and opportunity

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship, candidates should be

• A citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
• Permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• First-degree holder of at least upper second class (2:1) standard. A lower qualification and sufficient relevant experience are eligible in certain cases.
• Unable to afford to study the programme without this scholarship.

Selection Process

Each participating UK University will conduct its own recruitment process to select a specified number of candidates for Distance Learning Scholarships. Universities must put forward their selected candidates to the CSC by 4th June 2021. The CSC will then confirm that these candidates meet the eligibility criteria for this scheme and universities will inform candidates of their results by July 2021.

Selection criteria include:

• Academic merit of the candidate
• Potential impact of the work on the development of the candidate’s home country

 full list of participating universities and eligible courses

 CSC’s online application form