How Anna Nana Agyeiwaa Mensah, a Ghanaian Scholar, Secured a Master’s in Global Health at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom Through the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship

My name is Anna Nana Agyeiwaa Mensah, a professional nurse from Ghana. My interest in Global Health grew out of my experience working within the healthcare system and seeing that many of the challenges affecting patients cannot be solved at the bedside alone.

As a nurse, I became increasingly interested in the bigger picture — how health policies are developed, how health systems function, why inequalities in healthcare persist, and what can be done to improve the quality and continuity of healthcare. This led me to pursue an MSc in Global Health at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) through the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship.

My Academic Background

Before pursuing my master's degree, I completed a BSc in Nursing at Central University, graduating with a GPA of 35.9.

My nursing education gave me a strong clinical foundation and developed my skills in critical thinking, communication, evidence-based practice, and problem-solving. More importantly, my professional experience helped me understand that many healthcare challenges go beyond individual patient care.

I wanted to understand these challenges from a broader health systems and population perspective, and I felt that Global Health was the right field to help me develop that understanding.

My Commonwealth Scholarship Journey

My scholarship journey actually started long before I was successful.

I first applied for a Commonwealth scholarship in 2019. Over the years, I applied to different Commonwealth opportunities, including the Distance Learning programme, the Shared Scholarship programme and the Master's programme. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful each time.

After several rejections, I reached a point where I genuinely began to wonder whether I should continue applying. It was discouraging to keep putting myself forward and not getting the outcome I hoped for.

But I decided to try one more time.

In 2022, I applied again for the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship, and this time, I was successful.

Looking back, I now see those previous rejections differently. They were part of my preparation.

Each unsuccessful application taught me something. I became more familiar with the process, more reflective about my experiences, and better able to understand what the scholarship committee was looking for. I learned that a strong scholarship application is not simply a list of academic achievements. You need to communicate your motivation, your experiences, your career goals, and, importantly, the impact you hope to make.

With each application, I became better at answering the questions directly and connecting my past experiences to what I wanted to achieve in the future.

So, receiving the scholarship in 2022 was especially meaningful because it represented more than just being selected. It reminded me that rejection does not always mean “no.” Sometimes, it means you need to learn, improve, and try again.

Why I Chose the Programme and Institution

I was awarded the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship to study MSc Global Health at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

One of the things that attracted me to the programme was the opportunity to pursue a high-quality postgraduate education while remaining in Ghana and continuing my professional work.

LSTM's distance-learning format was particularly suitable for me because I wanted to grow academically without putting my professional career on hold.

The programme offered flexibility in terms of the period of study. I had the option of completing it within two or three years, and I deliberately chose the three-year pathway so that I could balance my studies with my professional responsibilities.

The scholarship also provided a one-time stipend to support study-related expenses.

How I Prepared for the Application

I started by researching programmes that aligned with my professional background and long-term goals. I wasn't simply looking for an opportunity to obtain another degree; I wanted a programme that would help me understand health challenges from a systems and population perspective.

I researched the institution, the programme content, admission requirements and how the course would fit alongside my professional responsibilities.

I also spent time reflecting on my own story. I asked myself: Why Global Health? Why this programme? Why now? And what do I intend to do with the knowledge I gain?

I believe this reflection was important because my application became more than an explanation of what I wanted to study. It became a story about where I was coming from, what had shaped my interests, where I wanted to go and how the scholarship would help me get there.

Did I Take IELTS or TOEFL?

No, I did not take IELTS, TOEFL, or any other standardised English-language test.

For my application, the school accepted my WASSCE certificate, together with proof that my undergraduate programme at Central University was taught in English, as evidence of my English-language proficiency.

I therefore did not need to sit for an additional English-language examination. My advice to prospective applicants would be to carefully check the specific English-language requirements of the institution and programme they are applying to, as the requirements may vary. Don't automatically assume that you need IELTS or TOEFL without first checking what forms of evidence the institution accepts.

Were There Other Scholarships?

No. The Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship was the only scholarship I was offered for this programme.

My Experience at LSTM

My experience at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine has been very positive.

One of the things I have particularly appreciated is the Student Services team. The staff is accessible, responsive and supportive, which has been especially important as a distance-learning student.

Although I have been studying remotely from Ghana, I have never felt completely disconnected from the institution. Whenever I have needed assistance or clarification, there have been people available to support me.

Academically, the programme has challenged me to think about healthcare beyond the individual patient. It has broadened my understanding of health systems, policy, equity, research and the complex factors that influence health outcomes.

Studying alongside people from different backgrounds and contexts has also helped me appreciate that while health challenges may look different across countries, many of the underlying issues are interconnected.

What Made My Application Stand Out?

I believe the strongest part of my application was the connection between my professional experience, academic goals and intended impact.

I wasn't applying simply because I wanted an international qualification. My experience as a nurse had exposed me to real challenges within healthcare, and I wanted to understand those challenges beyond the clinical level.

I was able to explain why Global Health was important to me, how it connected to my nursing background and how I hoped to use the knowledge and skills gained from the programme.

I also think authenticity matters.

I didn't try to create a perfect version of myself. I focused on telling my story honestly — what I had experienced, what I had learned, what I wanted to achieve, and why the opportunity mattered to me.

What Would I Have Done Differently?

If I were applying again, I would start even earlier and give myself more time to review and refine my application.

I would also seek feedback from people who have experience with scholarship applications. Sometimes we know our own stories so well that we don't realise which parts may not be clear to someone reading them for the first time.

But most importantly, I would tell myself not to be discouraged by rejection.

I applied several times between 2019 and 2022 before I was successful. Those unsuccessful applications were frustrating at the time, but they ultimately helped me become a stronger applicant.

Paying It Forward

One of the most rewarding parts of my scholarship journey has been being able to help someone else.

Through LinkedIn, I connected with someone who was interested in applying for the Commonwealth Master's programme. I was able to share some of what I had learned from my own application experiences and encourage him through the process.

Today, he is currently in the UK pursuing his studies.

That experience has been very meaningful to me because it reminded me that opportunities become even more valuable when we help others access them.

I was once the person searching for information, trying to understand the process and learning from unsuccessful applications. Being able to support someone else on their journey has therefore been one of the unexpected blessings of receiving the scholarship.

My Advice to Future Applicants

My biggest advice is simple:

Don't disqualify yourself before the scholarship committee does.

If you meet the requirements, apply.

Don't assume that you are not good enough because there are people with higher grades, more experience or more impressive CVs. You may never know what the committee is looking for until you give yourself the opportunity to be considered.

Start early. Research the scholarship, the institution, and the programme carefully. Understand the questions being asked and answer them directly.

And most importantly, tell your story.

Don't just list your achievements. Explain why they matter. Explain what your experiences have taught you, what problem you care about, why you need the opportunity, and what you intend to do with it.

If you are unsuccessful, don't simply submit the same application again. Grow with every application.

Ask yourself what you can improve. Reflect more deeply on your experiences. Seek feedback. Understand the scholarship better. Improve how you communicate your goals and intended impact.

My own journey is proof that persistence matters. I applied in 2019 before finally receiving the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship in 2022. There were moments when I almost gave up, but I am grateful I decided to try one more time.

And when you eventually receive the opportunity, remember to pay it forward.

Someone else will come after you who is exactly where you once were — searching for information, unsure of the process and wondering whether they have what it takes.

Share what you know. Encourage them. Help them where you can.

Where I Am Today

I am currently completing my MSc Global Health at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. I expect to complete the programme in September 2026, with my graduation scheduled for December 2026.

The programme has strengthened my interest in health systems strengthening, health policy, research and improving the quality and continuity of healthcare, particularly within Ghana and other low- and middle-income country settings.

When I look back at my Commonwealth journey, I see much more than a scholarship.

I see years of trying, learning, being rejected, trying again, and eventually being given an opportunity that changed the direction of my professional development.

The experience has taught me that sometimes the difference between giving up and succeeding is simply being willing to try one more time.

And sometimes, the best part of receiving an opportunity is not just what it does for you, but who you are able to help because you received it.