Commonwealth
Distance Learning Scholarships 2019 for Developing Commonwealth Countries –
University pplication guidance notes from Commonwealth Scholarship ommission in
the UK
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships are for candidates
from low and lower middle income Commonwealth countries, seeking part-time
Master’s study by distance learning on selected courses offered by UK
universities. These scholarships are funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID).
Purpose: To
contribute to the 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 want 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.
Full information on how to apply is available in the Commonwealth
Distance Learning Terms and Conditions document.
University applications
UK universities are invited to apply for up to 15 Commonwealth
Distance Learning Scholarships to be offered in the 2019 academic year.
Applications must be submitted via the online application system by 12:00 PM (GMT) on 16 November 2018.
The CSC is not always able to offer the maximum number of
scholarships for which a university applies, and reserves the right to limit
the number of scholarships for programmes that are new to the scheme. It is
normal practice for the CSC to offer a maximum of five awards to universities
that are new to the scheme or have not participated in the scheme in the last
three years.
These scholarships support distance learning Master’s degree
courses offered in partnership with local providers in eligible countries, as
well as courses delivered directly by UK universities. Universities may submit
an application for a single course, or for a cluster programme containing
multiple courses, as long as these courses are within the same department or
share similar objectives.
Applications should be made through the application system which
is now open and
available in the Apply now section. Please note that you will require a key
code to enter the application system. If you have received a letter or email
from the CSC inviting you to apply for these scholarships a key code will be
included this correspondence. If you require a key code please email distance.learning@cscuk.org.uk with
your name, job title and the name of your university to receive your key code.
Development themes and 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
The scholarship, which may be in any area of science or technology
(including, for example, agriculture, veterinary science, or forestry), will
develop knowledge and/or skills that are directly related to the specific needs
of a low or middle income country. Where possible, applications should cite
expressed national or local priorities.
2. Strengthening health systems and capacity
The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills that will
improve health provision or outcomes for disadvantaged groups in low and middle
income countries. A range of approaches could be adopted, such as training
staff to fill critical shortage areas; establishing better systems, processes,
or management; health promotion and improving understanding of non-take up; or
developing new treatments.
3. Promoting global prosperity
The scholarship will support economic prosperity in low and middle
income countries. The knowledge and/or skills gained could lead to, for
example, enhanced trade capacity; improved economic understanding or decision-
making by business or government; new products and services; or long-term
capacity building, through the development of entrepreneurial skills, for
instance.
4. Strengthening global peace, security and
governance
The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills that will
strengthen peace and security at national, regional, or international levels.
Multiple approaches could be used, such as strengthening open and transparent
governance; improving mutual understanding within and between societies; or
building systems that reduce the potential for conflict or encourage its
resolution.
5. Strengthening resilience and response to
crises
The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills which will
help low and middle countries adapt to changing contexts, withstand sudden
shocks, or increase capacity to preserve the continuity of operations following
such events. This could apply to a broad range of threats, including natural
and physical disasters; long-term threats such as climate change; interruptions
to the supply of key resources; or sudden economic or technological disruption.
6. Access, inclusion and opportunity
The scholarship will develop knowledge and/or skills that will
promote opportunity amongst historically disadvantaged groups in low and middle
income countries. This could be through, for example, expanding educational
opportunities; conducting community outreach; enhancing access to
decision-making; or increasing understanding of the barriers faced. A range of
disadvantage can be addressed – including social, economic, gender, ethnic,
regional, or political – provided that the need is clearly stated.
Subjects of study must be developmental in nature, and must be
aligned with one of these six themes.
As part of its application, the university will be asked to
provide a statement explaining the direct relevance of the course to one of the
above themes, including a brief outline of how the course will benefit
individuals and their home countries. The developmental value of the course
will be assessed and allocations of awards will be made based on the strength
of the statements provided. Generic course descriptions will not be considered.
Any application that is incomplete or does not
include a supporting statement from the Vice-Chancellor (or Acting
Vice-Chancellor) of the relevant institution will be deemed ineligible.
The CSC does not fund MBA programmes.
Type and duration of study
Awards are for full-time or part-time study of a taught course at
postgraduate level by distance learning. These scholarships do not support
research degrees or undergraduate study.
Funding is available for five academic years from the start of an
approved programme. Awards cannot be extended or renewed.
Financial commitment and branding of awards
The 2019 intake of Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships are
financed by the CSC for a maximum of five years and are expected to commence at
the start of the academic year.
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 a specific level of support. See the following bullet
points below.
·
Return travel from the Scholar’s home country to the UK location
·
Cost of UK visa
·
Maintenance stipend of £1,084 per month (£1,339 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.
Any contribution towards costs over the CSC’s £18,000 cap must
come from the university’s own funds or from an organisation whose missions and
aims are in line with those of the CSC. The source of this additional funding
must be clearly identified in the application.
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholars must not be asked to
contribute to any compulsory costs except in the instance of resits or retakes.
Any application requiring a Distance Learning Scholar to fund or partially fund
their studies will be deemed ineligible.
All promotional and award material must recognise that
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships are awarded by the Commonwealth
Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC).
Disability support
The university is responsible for managing the welfare of
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholars while they are on award, including
supporting disabled scholars and funding any reasonable adjustments that may be
required for academic study. For further information on the support provided by
the CSC to candidates with a disability, see the CSC disability support statement.
Selection criteria
Applications will be considered according to the following
selection criteria:
·
Quality of the course, the
quality assurance record, and the track record for delivery of the course
through distance learning. Applications are strengthened by copies of any
independent/external reports of the programme undertaken in recent years.
·
Learning opportunities provided
for students in developing countries, including whether the course takes into
account appropriate use of technology, whether course providers can identify a
target audience of potential applicants and recruit them successfully, and the
factors likely to affect candidates’ successful completion of their studies.
·
Development impact of the
course of study, including how the course content can be applied to the
specified theme, DFID priority areas, the Sustainable Development Goals, and
the subsequent career patterns of course alumni.
If the university is working with a partner, the partner must be
based in an eligible Commonwealth country.
Recruitment and selection of candidates
The CSC selection committee will consider university applications
in January. Successful universities will be notified which courses and how many
awards have been approved by the CSC. The CSC will issue a memorandum of
understanding (MOU) to institutions which will confirm the terms and conditions
and funding arrangements for the award(s), as well as the responsibilities of
the CSC and the university.
Universities must then conduct their own recruitment process to
nominate a specified number of candidates to the CSC. Candidates must complete
a CSC scholarship application in addition to completing the admissions
procedure of the university.
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. In particular, universities are asked to encourage women and
candidates from a range of countries to apply for these scholarships. The
university is responsible for recruiting candidates in an open and transparent
manner and with reference to the CSC anti-fraud policy.
Candidate applications for 2019 Commonwealth Distance Learning
Scholarships are expected to open at the beginning of February 2019,
with a final closing date for applications at the end of March 2019.
The list of eligible courses and universities, with university contact details
and institutional application closing dates, will be published on the CSC
website.
The university must nominate its chosen candidates within four
weeks of the CSC’s final closing date for applications. The CSC selection
committee will select Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholars from the
shortlists of nominated candidates and release the results by June 2019.
Eligibility of candidates
The university is responsible for ensuring its candidates meet the
CSC’s eligibility criteria.
To apply for a Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship,
candidates must:
·
Be a citizen of or be granted refugee status from an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British
Protected Person
·
Be permanently and continually resident in an eligible 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
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships may not be held
concurrently for more than one course.
If selected for a scholarship, candidates must be
and remain resident in an eligible Commonwealth country and must not undertake
study towards any other qualification for the duration of their award.
When submitting their application to the CSC, all candidates must provide at least one reference
and hold an offer to start their chosen course of study in the 2019 academic
year. These award conditions are current as of October 2018 and are subject to
change.
Eligible Commonwealth countries
Bangladesh
Cameroon
Eswatini
The Gambia
Ghana
Guyana
India
Kenya
Kiribati
Lesotho
Malawi
Mozambique
Nigeria
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Rwanda
Samoa
Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
Sri Lanka
Tanzania
Tuvalu
Uganda
Vanuatu
Zambia
Any questions?
If you are based at a UK
university and have any questions about Commonwealth Distance Learning
Scholarships or the university application process, please contact the CSC
Secretariat at distance.learning@cscuk.org.uk or on 020 7380
6716.
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