Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships 2027 (Full Tuition)
The Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship provides financial support for students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries to pursue a master’s degree online from UK universities. Funded by the UK government, this scholarship enables students to gain a British education without leaving their home countries.
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships Coverage
This government full tuition scholarship for international students covers the following:
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Tuition Fees
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Study related costs
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Partnership building costs
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UK-based training or events costs
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships, you need to meet the following criteria:
- Citizens or permanent residents of an eligible Commonwealth country, British Protected Persons, or someone granted refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country
- Able to provide at least one reference
For detailed requirements, refer to the official eligibility page .
Eligible degree levels
Eligible programmes
Eligible nationalities
Important Notice
Disclaimer
Students with a lower qualification may be considered if accompanied by sufficient relevant experience.
How to Apply
In this section, we'll provide a clear general overview of requirements and steps to guide you through the application process for Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships.
Important Note: The application procedures and required documents for Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships may vary depending on your degree, program, nationality and other factors. For specific details regarding the requirements, kindly visit the official website of Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships.
Application Deadlines
Now that you’re familiar with the application procedure, it’s time to know the application dates! Knowing the dates for Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships will help you prepare early and it will also give you the time you need to put together a competitive application.
Here are the application deadlines for Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships:
| Degree | Application deadline |
|---|---|
| Master's | Opens: |
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships Eligible Institutions
The eligible institutions for Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships are listed below:
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Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships Recipients
Meet students who have received Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships and learn how they secured their award.
Recipients’ Degree Studies and Backgrounds
The published stories describe 11 recipients’ degree studies supported by Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships. These are distance-learning degrees, with recipients describing study alongside work in their home countries.
Degree Studies Reported by Recipients
| Degree level | Stories | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s | 11 | Agroforestry and Food Security; Dementia Studies; Digital Education; Educational Leadership in Practice; Global Ageing and Policy; Global Health; Healthcare Leadership; International Development; Surgical Sciences; Tropical Forestry |
Nationalities Reported in the Stories
| Nationalities | Stories per nationality |
|---|---|
| Ghanaian | 5 |
| Pakistani | 2 |
| Indian, Nigerian, South African, Tanzanian | 1 each |
Funding Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Reported coverage |
|---|---|
| Eunice Nimo — MSc Agroforestry and Food Security — Bangor University | Reported €17,800 covering fees over a three-year distance-learning period. |
| Tessia Boateng — MSc Tropical Forestry — Bangor University | Reported tuition coverage, an annual stipend for data purchase and an expense-paid tropical field visit. |
| Schambach Joseph Sobbin — MSc Surgical Sciences — University of Edinburgh | Reported full tuition coverage for the entire programme. |
| Anna Nana Agyeiwaa Mensah — MSc Global Health — Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine | Reported a one-time stipend supporting study-related expenses while following the three-year pathway. |
| Krishna Boyanagari — MSc Global Ageing and Policy — University of Southampton | For his 2018 award, reported full tuition and compulsory course costs, including any compulsory residential component. |
Examples of Featured Recipients’ Application Backgrounds
| Recipient and degree/program | Scholarship/application route | Reported background and preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Zubair Mahar — MA Educational Leadership in Practice — University of Manchester | Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship | Bachelor of Education at Sukkur IBA University, magna cum laude, CGPA 3.7 and a Bronze Medal. Used classroom placements, action research and EduWings work to explain educational leadership and community impact. |
| Samantha Brink — Master’s in Digital Education — University of Edinburgh | Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship | BA English Studies, a TEFL qualification and several years teaching English online. Connected learner engagement, accessibility and curriculum-design experience with digital education. |
| Dr. Ludovick Lopa — MSc Healthcare Leadership — Lancaster University | Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship | MD and MPH training and a decade of health-system work across more than 100 health facilities. Presented leadership and measurable quality-improvement work as a progression from clinical care to systems leadership. |
| Udemeobong Akpan — MSc Dementia Studies — University of Stirling | Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship | School mental-health counsellor and private practitioner. Drew on work, volunteering, leadership and two co-published papers, and interviewed local healthcare practitioners to support development-impact answers. |
| Bernard Atarigiya — MSc Tropical Forestry — Bangor University | Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship | Natural Resource Management BSc at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and work as a Forest Range Manager at the Ghana Forestry Commission. Connected practical forest-management challenges to the proposed MSc. |
The accepted English evidence below relates to the particular host university’s admission process.
How Recipients Met Language Requirements
| Language requirement route | Stories / total funded degree-study stories | Recipients and examples |
|---|---|---|
| English-medium education accepted | 2/11 | English-medium education or institutional English qualification accepted (Eunice Nimo, Schambach Joseph Sobbin). |
| School English qualification and English-medium degree accepted | 1/11 | WASSCE and proof of an English-taught undergraduate degree accepted (Anna Nana Agyeiwaa Mensah). |
Application Timelines Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Application or scholarship route | Reported application timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Udemeobong Akpan — MSc Dementia Studies — University of Stirling | Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship | Spent almost two weeks researching courses and a month drafting essays while working full time. When a transcript request was lost three weeks before the deadline, reapplied for the document and assembled four references. |
| Anna Nana Agyeiwaa Mensah — MSc Global Health — Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine | Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship | Began applying for Commonwealth opportunities in 2019, received several rejections, then succeeded with the Distance Learning application in 2022. |
| Roha Naz — MSc International Development — University of Edinburgh | Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship | After an unsuccessful first application year, spent the following year improving her CV through writing, skills and professional experience. Applied for CDLS, then applied for DAAD Helmut-Schmidt three months later. |
Preparation Lessons Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Reported preparation |
|---|---|
| Tessia Boateng — MSc Tropical Forestry — Bangor University | Applied for university admission first and used the admission application letter for the scholarship application. Engaged referees early. |
| Roha Naz — MSc International Development — University of Edinburgh | Described submitting the CSC application and separate university applications in parallel, tailoring the personal statement to each institution. This was distinct from the later DAAD application. |
| Bernard Atarigiya — MSc Tropical Forestry — Bangor University | Reported receiving the scholarship on his seventh attempt. Refined his personal statement around his forestry work and the practical benefit to Ghana. |
What Recipients Pursued After Their Scholarship-Funded Studies
| Recipient | Scholarship-funded degree/program | Reported outcome or current status |
|---|---|---|
| Eunice Nimo | MSc Agroforestry and Food Security — Bangor University | Current work and further study: became a development practitioner with an international NGO, co-founded and manages Sowing Seeds Alliance, and is pursuing a PhD in Agroforestry. |
| Krishna Boyanagari | MSc Global Ageing and Policy — University of Southampton | Ongoing further study and employment: doctoral researcher at University of Galway in the HOMEDEM network through an MSCA employment contract, researching autonomous living and services for people with dementia. |
| Udemeobong Akpan | MSc Dementia Studies — University of Stirling | Completed in 2025. Continues school mental-health counselling and private practice, and is working towards partnerships with dementia care centres and hospitals. |
| Samantha Brink | Master’s in Digital Education — University of Edinburgh | Current work and study: continuing learning-experience design work while completing the master’s. |
| Schambach Joseph Sobbin | MSc Surgical Sciences — University of Edinburgh | Ongoing study and future plans: focused on completing the master’s, with plans for research projects and surgical residency. |
| Anna Nana Agyeiwaa Mensah | MSc Global Health — Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine | Ongoing study: reported an expected completion in September 2026 and graduation in December 2026. Dissertation work concerned health referral systems and inspired an interest in digital continuity-of-care tools. |
| Bernard Atarigiya | MSc Tropical Forestry — Bangor University | Current work and study: continuing as a Forest Range Manager with the Ghana Forestry Commission while studying; interested in future climate-adaptation, agroforestry and forest-management research. |
What Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholars Say
Advice and reflections from scholars about the Commonwealth Distance Learning application process and programme.
"The scholarship covers full tuition fees and made postgraduate study financially possible for me."
"The scholarship is a full award covering tuition and approved support as per CSC guidelines."
"Start early, stay organized, and read the scholarship criteria carefully."
"My experience has been academically rigorous and intellectually engaging."
"The distance format allows me to remain embedded in my teaching context while accessing high-quality academic mentorship."
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships, eligibility, funding, and applications.
No, it is a full-tuition award for online master’s study, with coverage that can include tuition fees, study-related costs, partnership-building costs, and UK-based training or events. According to Samantha Brink, who studied Digital Education at the University of Edinburgh, the scholarship “covers full tuition fees.” Zubair Mahar, who studied at the University of Manchester, described it as a “full award… covering tuition and approved support.”
It is for approved distance-learning master’s programs at participating UK universities, so applicants generally study from their home country rather than relocating to the UK full-time. The official CSC guidance explains that the program is designed for candidates who want or need to remain in their home country while studying. This also appears in recipient stories. Zubair Mahar said the “distance format allows me to remain embedded” in his teaching context, while Samantha Brink explained that her university provided structured support that made international participation manageable through distance learning.
Applicants generally need to be citizens, permanent residents, refugees, or British Protected Persons connected to an eligible Commonwealth country, and they must normally be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country. They also need a first degree that is usually at least equivalent to an upper second-class qualification, although lower qualifications may sometimes be considered with strong relevant experience. At least one reference is also required. Since eligibility rules can be updated, applicants should always check the official candidate guidance for the current intake.
Not necessarily at the first CSC application stage. The official CSC FAQ says an offer letter is not required when you initially apply for this scholarship. However, applicants are expected to apply for an approved master’s course at a participating UK university, and admission must still be secured as part of the overall process. In practice, you should prepare both the scholarship application and your university application early.
The CSC states that IELTS is not required for the scholarship application itself. However, the university you apply to may still require IELTS or another form of English-language proof depending on your background and the course rules. In other words, the scholarship and the university can have different requirements, so always check the course page directly.
Yes. The official CSC guidance says candidates may apply to more than one approved course and to more than one participating university. However, if you are successful, you may accept only one Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship. It is also important to make sure every course you choose is on the approved list for that cycle.
Strong applications usually show academic readiness, a clear development goal, and a realistic explanation of how the degree will benefit the applicant’s home country or community. This comes through strongly in the Global Scholarships recipient stories. Samantha Brink said her application benefited from a “clear sense of direction,” and she advises applicants to “Start early, stay organized.” Zubair Mahar also stresses being “specific about impact” and showing concrete evidence of leadership and results.
This scholarship supports master’s study only, not undergraduate or PhD study. Because deadlines and approved courses can change each cycle, applicants should always verify the next round directly with the CSC and their chosen university.
No. Participating universities and approved courses can change by cycle. The official CSC page publishes a fresh list of eligible courses and universities for each intake, and the award only applies to approved distance-learning master’s programs. Recipient stories on Global Scholarships show that scholars have used this scholarship for programs such as Digital Education at the University of Edinburgh and Educational Leadership in Practice at the University of Manchester, but applicants should still confirm the exact approved list for their own year before applying.
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