Home Scholarships Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship 2026 | Fully Funded Scholarship in UK

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship 2026 | Fully Funded Scholarship in UK

Commonwealth Foundation Grants

Apply for the 2026 Fully Funded Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship in UK!

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship is offered to international students to undertake part-time taught Master’s study with UK universities while remaining in their home countries.

The scholarship aims to attract individuals with outstanding talent and identifiable potential from all backgrounds and support them to become leaders and innovators upon returning to their home countries.

Individuals interested in the 2026 Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship should review the details, requirements, and application process provided below.

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship Summary:

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship Details:

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development.

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

Available Programmes for Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship:

The Rhodes Scholarship UK accepts applications for programs conferring the honors of;

  • Master’s
  • MPhil, and
  • PhD degrees.

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship Requirement:

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
  • Be permanently resident in a developing Commonwealth country
  • 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.

The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination, and encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates. For further information on the support available to candidates with a disability, see the CSC disability support statement.

Document Requirements for Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship:

In the application form, candidates will be asked to:

  • List all undergraduate and postgraduate university qualifications obtained
  • List up to 10 publications and prizes
  • Provide details of their employment history and explain how each job is relevant to the programme to be undertaken
  • Provide a statement on the relevance of their previous work experience to the proposed Scholarship
  • List names and positions of two referees who are qualified to comment on both the candidate’s capacity to benefit from the proposed Scholarship in the UK and their ability to deliver development impact afterwards. One referee must be a current employer (if applicable)
  • Provide a Development Impact statement in 4 parts.

Candidates must upload the following documents with the application:

  • Proof that the applicant is a citizen or has refugee status in an eligible Commonwealth country: a copy of a valid passport (or national ID card) showing a photograph, date of birth, and country of citizenship
  • Full transcripts detailing all higher education qualifications, including to-date transcripts for any courses currently being studied, with certified translations if not in English
  • References from at least two individuals, on institutional letterhead or an email clearly showing the sender’s details

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship Rewards:

The CSC has a funding cap of £18,000 per scholarship. Universities may contribute funding from an approved source if the full cost of the award is more than £18,000.

The scholarship must cover all elements of the award, including:

  • Course tuition fees
  • Grant to contribute to study-related costs
  • Partnership development costs
  • Any UK residential programme(s)

Where a university intends to run a UK residential programme as part of the course, the university is expected to provide at least the following level of support:

  • Return travel from the Scholar’s home country to the UK location
  • Cost of UK visa
  • Maintenance stipend of £1,133 per month (£1,390 for Scholars in London), to be paid for the full duration of the UK residential. These amounts are set by the UK government for all students on government-funded scholarships, and increase annually.

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How to Apply for Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship:

To apply for the 2026 Fully Funded Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship in UK, interested and qualified candidates should;

  • Click the red button below to visit the Oxford University application page.
  • The application closing date is Thursday, 31 March 2026 at 16:00 (GMT).
  • Candidates must apply and secure admission to study an approved Master’s course at a participating UK university in addition to applying for a Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship via the CSC’s online application system.
  • View full list of approved courses and participating UK universities
  • Candidates can apply for more than one course and to more than one university, they may only accept one offer of a Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship.
  • Note that Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships are only for Master’s courses and not for undergraduate or PhD study. Please check with the chosen university for their specific advice on when to apply, admission requirements, and rules for applying.

Application Deadline: March 31, 2026

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