The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in partnership with UK Universities offers distance learning scholarships as part of the commitment of the Commission and the Department for International Development's (DFID) commitment to explore new methods of scholarship delivery.
Title: DFID/UK Universities Online Masters (MS) Degree
Deadline: 14 June 2010 (Annual)
Study in: any Country
Course starts September 2010
The distance learning scholarships are delivered via three methods:
Partnership delivery: These courses are offered in partnership with institutions in developing Commonwealth countries and chosen on the grounds of their impact on international development. The awards are used to improve the long-term capacity of institutions, as well as the individual recipients.
Non-partnership: Since 2006, our distance learning programme has extended support to the direct delivery of distance learning courses (ie where there is no overseas partner institution directly involved in the programme).
Health and Education in Africa: In 2006 the Commission was awarded a tranche of funding by DFID to support up to 200 distance learning courses tenable in Sub-Saharan Africa and specifically for courses in health and education.
Host Institution(s) and Online Courses offered:
List of Institutions offering Partnership Distance Learning courses
Imperial College Wye (now SOAS)/University of Pretoria
This course is a Masters of Science in Agricultural Science offered as a University of London external degree under the academic supervision of Imperial College Wye. The course is designed to enhance the understanding and skills required by practitioners working to promote economic growth, environmental sustainability and human capacity in poor areas.
Read more : http://www.up.ac.za/academic/ecoagric/ (http://www.up.ac.za/academic/ecoagric/)
Cardiff University/Karunashraya Hospice Bangalore
This course offers an MSc in Palliative Medicine; its target audience is medical practitioners working in any field of medicine where palliative care forms a significant part of their clinical practice.
Read more : http://medicine.cf.ac.uk/en/degree-programmes/postgraduate-taught/oncology-and-palliative-medicine-pgt/ (http://medicine.cf.ac.uk/en/degree-programmes/postgraduate-taught/oncology-and-palliative-medicine-pgt/)
Royal Veterinary College/Chittagong Veterinary & Animal Science University and University of Peradeniya
This course offers an MSc in Livestock Health and Production and Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health; the target audience will be veterinarians and specialists involved in the livestock sector, including policy makers and planners, researchers and those involved in livestock development projects.
Read more : http://www.rvc.ac.uk/Postgraduate/Distance/MScLivestockHealth/Index.cfm (http://www.rvc.ac.uk/Postgraduate/Distance/MScLivestockHealth/Index.cfm)
University of Sunderland/Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture
This course is a Masters of Science in Computer Based Information Systems. This is a conversion course for non-IT graduates and is specifically designed to address the need for IT expertise and infrastructure in rural areas. Any students who do not complete the full Masters degree will be awarded a University of Sunderland Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma.
Read more : http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/ (http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/)
Loughborough University/Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology
This course offers a Masters of Science in Renewable Energy Systems Technology, with Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma also available. The course aims to address the need for appropriate professional-level training.
Read more : http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/el/postgraduate/renewable-energy.html (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/el/postgraduate/renewable-energy.html)
Institute of Education University of London/Aga Khan Foundation
The course on offer is the Master of Arts in Education and International Development. The primary aim of the course is to explore the impact of social and economic divisions, sustainable development and globalisation in relation to national and transnational educational initiatives.
Read more : http://www.ioe.ac.uk/study/PMM9_EID9IM.html (http://www.ioe.ac.uk/study/PMM9_EID9IM.html)
Leeds Metropolitan University/Chainama College of Health Sciences, Zambia and University of Gambia
This course offers a Master of Science in Health Promotion/Environmental Health, with a Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma also available. The aim of the course is to assist the College in its provision of Masters level education in Health Promotion and Environmental Health; this is currently not available in Zambia.
Read more : http://prospectus.leedsmet.ac.uk/main/course.htm?ban=PHHPM (http://prospectus.leedsmet.ac.uk/main/course.htm?ban=PHHPM)
Leeds Metropolitan University/University of Gambia
This course offers a Masters degree in Responsible Tourism Management and is intended to enhance the capacity of staff at the University of Gambia to deliver programmes in this subject area.
Read more : http://www.icrtourism.org/rtm.shtml (http://www.icrtourism.org/rtm.shtml)
Staffordshire University/University of Madras
The course on offer is the Master of Arts degree in Sustainable Development; the Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma are also available. The degree aims to enable students to acquire the advanced knowledge, understanding and skills needed for progressing sustainability agendas in a variety of social contexts.
Read more : http://www.staffs.ac.uk/study_here/courses/sustainable-development-tcm4212673.jsp (http://www.staffs.ac.uk/study_here/courses/sustainable-development-tcm4212673.jsp)
University of Bath/National Council for Construction
This course offers a Master of Science degree in Construction Management and aims at developing the skills of construction managers in Zambia, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Read more : http://www.bath.ac.uk/ace/icm/ (http://www.bath.ac.uk/ace/icm/)
University of Dundee/Kenya Medical Training College
This course offers a Masters degree in Nursing, with a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma also available. The course is designed to develop the individual practitioner from a level of competence through to proficiency and expertise.
Read more : http://www.dundee.ac.uk/meded/ (http://www.dundee.ac.uk/meded/)
University of London External Programme/University of Ghana (This programme has now finished)
Currently, the Commission is supporting a pilot project, under the aegis of the External Programme, by which Imperial College London offers a Master of Science and a Postgraduate Diploma in sustainable agriculture and rural development. The Programme's aim is to enhance the ability of the University of Ghana to deliver courses of immediate relevance in terms of economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Read more : http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk (http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk)
Leeds Metropolitan University/Dar Es Salaam Institute of Technology, Tanzania
This course offers a Masters degree in Facilities Management and is designed to foster a culture of sustainable development and resource management.
Read more : http://courses.leedsmet.ac.uk/facilities_msc (http://courses.leedsmet.ac.uk/facilities_msc)
University of Stirling/Bangladesh Agricultural University
This course offers a Masters degree in Aquatic Resource Development and is designed to empower individuals who wish to develop the skills necessary to run and manage aquatic systems.
Read more : http://www.external.stir.ac.uk/postgrad/course_info/nat_science/aquacult/aqua-res-dev.php (http://www.external.stir.ac.uk/postgrad/course_info/nat_science/aquacult/aqua-res-dev.php)
University of Edinburgh/University of Makerere
The programme is a Masters in International Animal Health aimed at graduates with a degree in veterinary medicine, agricultural science, biology or a related science. Using innovative approaches to online learning, this programme will provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to advance in the Animal Health sector.
Read more : http://www.internationalanimalhealth.ed.ac.uk/ (http://www.internationalanimalhealth.ed.ac.uk/)
List of institutions offering non-partnership Distance Learning courses
Aberystwyth University
The course offers an MSc in Information and Library Studies and is aimed at professionals working in the information service sector who wish to enhance their skills.
Read more : http://www.dis.aber.ac.uk (http://www.dis.aber.ac.uk)
Aston University
This course offers a Masters in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and is open to practising English Language teachers who wish to extend their professional expertise.
Read more : http://www1.aston.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught-programmes/school/languages-social-sciences/tesol (http://www1.aston.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught-programmes/school/languages-social-sciences/tesol)
Cardiff University
This course offers an MSc in Palliative Medicine; its target audience is medical practitioners working in any field of medicine where palliative care forms a significant part of their clinical practice.
Read more : http://medicine.cf.ac.uk/en/degree-programmes/postgraduate-taught/oncology-and-palliative-medicine-pgt/ (http://medicine.cf.ac.uk/en/degree-programmes/postgraduate-taught/oncology-and-palliative-medicine-pgt/)
Imperial College Wye (now SOAS)
This course is a Masters of Science in Agricultural Science offered as a University of London external degree under the academic supervision of Imperial College Wye. The course is designed to enhance the understanding and skills required by practitioners working to promote economic growth, environmental sustainability and human capacity in poor areas.
Read more : http://www.wye.ic.ac.uk/EP (http://www.wye.ic.ac.uk/EP)
University College London
The course on offer is a Masters degree in International Primary Health Care; it is aimed at senior clinicians, researchers and policy makers in regions where primary health care is at an intermediate stage of development.
Read more : http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/prospective_students/postgraduate/ucl/health_care/scholarships.shtml (http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/prospective_students/postgraduate/ucl/health_care/scholarships.shtml)
School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
This course offers an MSc in Public Policy and Management and provides essential skills in areas such as financial planning and control, taxation and debt, information systems, human resource management, management of change, decentralisation, investment appraisal and structural adjustment.
Read more : http://www.cefims.ac.uk (http://www.cefims.ac.uk)
The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
This course offers a Masters of Science degree in Epidemiology and aims to provide a broad foundation for working successfully in many different areas related to public health and to address the needs of health professionals in different economic environments.
Read more : http://www.lshtm.ac.uk (http://www.lshtm.ac.uk)
The Open University
This course offers a Masters of Science in Global Development Management. The programme aims to improve the work of development professionals by providing them with both conceptual tools for critical understanding, and practical skills in institutional development and strategic and project management.
Read more : http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/qualification/f11.htm (http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/qualification/f11.htm)
University of Ulster
This course offers a Masters of Science in Biomedical Sciences and is designed to provide clinically relevant and service driven postgraduate education for those working in the area of medical laboratory science within the health service as well as health related industry and research.
Read more : http://www.ulster.ac.uk (http://www.ulster.ac.uk)
University of Leicester
This course offers an MSc in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management and is relevant to those working in the fields of sustainable development, provery reduction and civil safety.
Read more : http://www.le.ac.uk/lifelonglearning/courses/rcdm.html (http://www.le.ac.uk/lifelonglearning/courses/rcdm.html)
WEDC-Loughborough University
This course offers a Masters of Science in Water & Waste Engineering or Water & Environmental Management, or the Diploma in Technology for Development. It aims to encourage the integration of technological, environmental, social, economic and management input for effective and sustainable development.
Read more : http://wedc.lboro.ac.uk/learn/learn307.html (http://wedc.lboro.ac.uk/learn/learn307.html)
Royal Veterinary College
This course offers an MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health; the target audience will be veterinarians and specialists involved in the livestock sector, including policy makers and planners, researchers and those involved in livestock development projects.
Read more : http://www.rvc.ac.uk (http://www.rvc.ac.uk)
London South Bank University
This course offers a Masters of Science degree in Education for Sustainability. The target audience will be professionals with development potential that will enable them to become effective leaders of change.
Read more : http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/efs (http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/efs)
Birkbeck College, University of London
This course offers an MSc in Structural Molecular Biology; it is aimed at post-doctoral workers in the developing Commonwealth who are conducting research in molecular biosciences that will have an impact on development within their own countries.
Read more : http://www.cryst.bbk.ac.uk (http://www.cryst.bbk.ac.uk)
Open University
This course offers an MPA in Public Administration and will be of particular benefit to graduates working in central or local government, NGOs and social enterprises and who have the intellectual ability and social commitment to bring about change.
Read more : http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/qualification/f44.htm (http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/qualification/f44.htm)
SOAS (Centre for Development, Environment and Policy)
This course offers a Masters degrees in Sustainable Development, Managing Rural Development and Environmental Management; it is designed for mid-career development professionals working in NGOs or in local or central government.
Read more : http://www.soas.ac.uk (http://www.soas.ac.uk)
University of York
This programme offers a Masters degree in Public Administration/Policy and Management and is designed for those working in or with developing Commonwealth countries' public services including charities, aid agencies, voluntary bodies and NGOs.
Read more : http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/spsw/publicmanagement/ (http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/spsw/publicmanagement/)
List of institutions offering Health and Education Courses in Africa
Leeds Metropolitan University: MSc Public Health
University of Manchester: MSc Bioinformatics
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine: MSc Epidemiology, MSc Infectious Diseases, MSc Public Health
University College London: MSc International Primary Health Care
University of Dundee: Master of Nursing and Master of Palliative Care
Institute of Education: MA Education and International Development
University of Bolton: Master of Education (Technical and Vocational Education)
London South Bank University: MSc Education for Sustainability
Number of Scholarships:
• Partnership Delivery: around 15 scholarships per course.
• Non-partnership Delivery: Since 2006, fifteen courses have thus far been supported.
• Health and Education in Africa: The present tranche has enabled funding for 11 courses at 8 institutions with up to 30 awards on offer per course.
Target group:
Nationals of Commonwealth Developing Countries (Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda Nauru, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Namibia, Cameroon, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guineas, Pitcairn, Rwanda, St Helena, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania,Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tristan da Cunha, Turks and Caicos, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, and Zambia)
Scholarship value/inclusions: The Scholarships cover the overseas tuition fees at the Masters degree level.
Eligibility: You must meet the specific eligibility requirements of the course you are interested in. To view this, see the complete description of your desired course by referring to the links listed under the section "Host Institutions and Courses Offered" (see above).
Application instructions:
Before you apply for the scholarship, you must first apply to an approved programme at an accredited host institution (see the list of approved courses above). To do this, contact the programme director and inquire how to apply for a Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship for their programme.
Applications must be made via the electronic application system (EAS). Please note that the Nominating organization in the UK should complete their section of the application form first before instructing any candidates they are nominating to complete their section of the form. Candidates should read the following Distance Learning Guide to using the EAS before starting their application.
It is important to visit the official website (http://www.cscuk.org.uk/apply/distance_learning.asp) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.
Contact information:
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships Scheme (TA) Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
C/O The ACU
Woburn House, 20 – 24 Tavistock Place
London WC1H 9HF
For more information: DFID Distance Learning Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries (http://www.cscuk.org.uk/apply/distance_learning.asp)