Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships

Apply

Key facts

  • Number of scholarships: Varies
  • Value: Tuition fees
  • Opens: 17 February 2026
  • Deadline: 31 March 2026
  • Helps with: Tuition fees
  • Duration: Up to six years

Summary

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships are open to applications from high-performing postgraduate applicants from developing Commonwealth countries who wish or need to remain in their home country while they study.

The scholarships cover tuition fees or study grants where required. Offered by the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission, the aim is to contribute to the development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled and qualified professionals in key development areas.

These scholarships are open to offer-holders to the following MSc programmes beginning in September 2026:

  • MSc Hydrogeology
  • MSc Prosthetic & Orthotic Rehabilitation Studies
Back to scholarship

Eligibility

To be considered for these scholarships, candidates must:

  • be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
  • be permanently resident in a developing Commonwealth country
  • by September 2026, hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) standard. A lower qualification and sufficient relevant experience may be considered in certain cases
  • be unable to afford to study the programme without this scholarship
  • have provided all supporting documentation in the required format

Full details on eligibility can be found on the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission website

Country eligibility

Developing Commonwealth countries. Full details on eligible countries can be found on the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission website.

Subject eligibility

Biomedical engineering, Prosthetics & orthotics

Levels eligibility

Postgraduate Taught

Study modes eligibility

Full Time

Fee Status

International

Student type

Applicant

Back to scholarship

Project details

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships are offered to candidates from least developed, low and lower middle-income Commonwealth countries, for part-time Master's study by distance learning. These scholarships are funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), with the aim of contributing to the UK’s international development aims and wider overseas interests, supporting excellence in UK higher education, and sustaining the principles of the Commonwealth.

Purpose

To contribute to development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled and qualified professionals in key development areas.

Intended beneficiaries

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.

Development themes & impact

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.

These scholarships are offered under six themes:

  1. Science and technology for development
  2. Strengthening health systems and capacity
  3. Promoting global prosperity
  4. Strengthening global peace, security and governance
  5. Strengthening resilience and response to crises
  6. Access, inclusion and opportunity

Find out more about the CSC Development themes.

Back to scholarship

How to apply

The deadline for applications is 16:00 BST on Tuesday 31 March 2026.

Full details on how to apply can be found on the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission website.

Back to scholarship

Contact us

If you have any queries about applying for a Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship, please contact the CSC.