Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships 2026/2027 (UK)

Are you looking to earn a UK master’s degree without leaving your home country? The Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships 2026/2027 offer fully funded opportunities for students from eligible Commonwealth nations to study remotely at top UK universities while continuing their careers and responsibilities locally.

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships 2026/2027

The Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships 2026/2027 are prestigious, fully funded awards that enable talented individuals from developing Commonwealth countries to pursue part-time master’s degrees through distance learning at UK institutions. The program is funded by the UK government through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.

This scholarship scheme aims to build professional capacity in key development sectors by providing advanced training to individuals who cannot study abroad due to financial, professional, or personal constraints. Scholars gain access to world-class UK education while remaining in their home countries, ensuring that their newly acquired skills can be applied immediately to national development challenges.

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships 2026/2027 Summary

What Is the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship All About?

The Commonwealth Distance Learning program is one of the three master’s scholarship schemes offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan. Its purpose is to contribute to the development needs of participating countries by training skilled professionals in priority areas.

The program targets high-quality postgraduate students from least developed and middle-income Commonwealth countries, including fragile and conflict-affected states. It specifically supports individuals who need to remain in their home countries while studying and who demonstrate the potential to become leaders and innovators capable of driving sustainable development.

Courses are delivered by selected UK universities and structured to accommodate working professionals. Due to the modular nature of the programs, scholarships may run for up to six years.

Available Fields of Study

Courses supported under the scholarship must align with one of the six CSC Development 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

Applicants must select a course that directly contributes to development in their home country.

Scholarship Benefits

Recipients of the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships will receive:

• Full tuition fee coverage
• Study grants were required
• Access to UK academic resources and support
• Internationally recognized UK Master’s qualification
• Flexible online learning is compatible with employment
• Opportunity to build global professional networks

Note: The scholarship does not typically cover travel or living expenses since the study is conducted remotely.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be a citizen of or hold refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country
• Be a permanent resident in a developing Commonwealth country
• Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard by September 2026
• Demonstrate inability to afford the program without the scholarship
• Apply and secure admission to an approved Master’s course at a participating UK university
• Provide all required supporting documentation

Applicants with lower academic qualifications may be considered if they possess substantial relevant professional experience.

Eligible Countries

Applicants must be citizens of eligible Commonwealth nations, including:

Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, and Zambia.

Applicants must remain in their home country during the study period.

Required Documents

Applicants must upload the following through the CSC online application system:

• Proof of citizenship (passport or national ID)
• Full academic transcripts
• Two references on institutional letterhead
• Admission confirmation from a participating university
• Any additional documents required by the chosen university

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Step-by-Step Application Procedure

• Choose an Eligible Course: Select an approved master’s program at a participating UK university.
• Apply to the University: Submit your admission application according to the university’s requirements.
• Apply via CSC Central: Complete the scholarship application using the CSC’s online system.
• Upload Supporting Documents: Include transcripts, references, and proof of citizenship.
• Submit Before Deadline: Applications must be submitted by 31 March 2026.

Universities will nominate selected candidates in June 2026, and final award notifications will be issued by August 2026.

Selection Process

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Academic merit
• Quality of study plan
• Potential development impact in the home country

Participating universities conduct initial selection, after which the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission confirms eligibility.

Why This Scholarship Matters

The Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships 2026/2027 remove barriers that prevent talented professionals from accessing international education. By enabling remote study at leading UK universities, the program strengthens national capacity in critical sectors while allowing scholars to remain active contributors to their local economies and communities.

For more details and to apply, visit the official scholarship page of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.

Official link: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-distance-learning-scholarships-candidates/

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