Is a citizen from any of the developing Commonwealth countries, a British Protected Citizen or even a refugee from any of the following countries listed or even a permanent resident in any one of them?
- Bangladesh
- Belize
- Botswana
- Cameroon
- Dominica
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- 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
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
- Bangladesh
- Belize
- Botswana
- Cameroon
- Dominica
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- 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
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
If so, one’s eligible to gain a master’s degree with one of the UK’s leading providers of digital education, with a study commencing in a couple of months from February 2026.
The Open University’s Institute of Educational Technology (IET) has been awarded 10 fully funded Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships for citizens of the countries listed above who may wish to follow a study of IET’s Master’s in Online Teaching (MAOT). Applications for these scholarships are now invited. The closing date for applications is 1600 hrs (GMT) on Tuesday, 20 May 2025.
All these scholarships are funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). They are intended to contribute to the development of Commonwealth countries by enabling talented and motivated individuals. It’s meant to access the training and skills required for sustainable development by undertaking part-time master’s study programs with UK universities remotely while the students continue to reside in their home countries.
The scholarship scheme is open to high-quality candidates from eligible Commonwealth countries who wish to access training not available in their home countries. A student intending to stay in their home country while studying is welcome to do so. The process system recognises the preference of students who may wish to contribute to the development of their home countries with the knowledge and leadership skills they may acquire.
Students follow the Open University’s Master’s in Online Teaching (MAOT) entirely online. The MAOT develops skills in theory-informed design, technology-enhanced blended learning, and online learning. The MAOT is designed to address pitfalls in educational inequity in all its forms. As such, it’s relevant to achieving inclusive, high-quality, equitable blended and online education. The Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships are for a 3-year duration, following a part-time distance learning methodology. This program is scheduled to begin in February 2026. The scholarships will cover the full cost of tuition fees but exclude any other expenses.
It’s quite likely that Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship holders may study the following modules, in the order stated. However, there’s a likelihood for some variation in the exact content offered.
Stage 1, February–October 2026
Compulsory module
H880 Technology-enhanced learning: foundations & futures.
Stage 2: October 2026– September 2027
The following 15-credit microcredentials, currently presented biannually, contribute 60 credits to the program.
Online teaching: Evaluating & improving courses.
Teaching development: Embedding mental health in the curriculum.
Online teaching: Accessibility and inclusive learning.
Online teaching: Embedded social, race & gender-related equity.
Online teaching: Addressing the climate emergency (first presentation date to be confirmed).
Stage 3, October 2027–May 2028
Compulsory module
The module in question is H890, which focusses on research and scholarship in the field of digital education.
This module is meant to develop skills in critically evaluating and conducting digital education-related research & scholarship. It is also a suitable preparation for future doctoral study.
A student must meet certain criteria to be eligible for a Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship to pursue the master’s in online and distance education:
Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by one of the eligible developing Commonwealth countries listed above, or be a British protected person; and
You must be a permanent resident in one of the listed eligible developing Commonwealth countries.
Hold a 1st degree of at least upper 2nd class (2:1) standard. In certain cases, a lower qualification and sufficient relevant experience may be considered.
Require the scholarship to afford the programme.
In addition, a student may also need to access a computer with reliable broadband internet access. A student need not be working in technology-enhanced learning but should be interested in developing expertise in this area.
