Level: Masters Course: MSc Cancer & Clinical Oncology, MSc Cancer &Therapeutics, MSc Dental Public Health Policy & Leadership, Emergency & Resuscitation Medicine, MSc Endocrinology & Diabetes, MSc Gastroenterology, MSc Orthopaedic Trauma Science, MSc Trauma Sciences, MSc Trauma Sciences (Military & Humanitarian) Country: Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, St Helena, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia Value: Full tuition fees No. of awards: 9 Deadline: Applications for the 2023/24 scholarship call are now closed.
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships are for 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).
The award will cover the full international tuition fee plus an additional grant to cover study-related costs.
For 2023 entry 9 scholarships are available for the following courses:
The eligible countries are:
Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, 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, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia.
All terms and conditions for the scholarship and guidance on how to apply is posted here:
https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-distance-learning-scholarships-candidates/
This is an external application form, managed and hosted by the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission.
In addition to this scholarship application, you must also apply to Queen Mary for admission onto the course. Those who do not have an offer letter will not be considered for the scholarship.
Augustine Appah Acquah, Ghana
Augustine is studying on the MSc Orthopaedic Trauma Science (via Distance Learning) course, whilst working as an assistant lecturer at the University of Health and Allied Sciences, in the city of Ho, Ghana.
He currently teaches traumatic skeletal disorders and this MSc is providing him with great training in this field. Augustine is also contributing to a revised curriculum in his university thanks to his new training. He also wanted to improve his clinical practice in orthopaedics. The online environment makes the learning extremely convenient.
Augustine’s top tip for scholarship applications is to make sure you demonstrate how this program will be beneficial to you and your country when preparing the application.
Alfred Awa, Cameroon
Alfred is a doctor working at Ndop District Hospital in the North West Region of Cameroon. He is currently in charge of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department and also the team leader for trauma in his hospital, especially when there are multiple trauma victims. He’s currently studying on the MSc in Trauma Sciences (via Distance Learning) thanks to a Commonwealth scholarship.
Alfred applied for the course because he has a passion in trauma care and he wants to improve trauma care and prevention in Cameroon. He believes that trauma is a neglected public health problem especially in low and middle income countries. He says “my country is already benefitting from the course. I am currently carrying out a survey on trauma care among drivers in the North West region of Cameroon. I have also founded a network (National Trauma Education and Research Network--NTERN).”
He finds the course is well structured and up-to-date, the instructors are very supportive and being on the course has inspired him even more to work harder towards achieving his dreams. Whilst the DL mode of learning has its pros and cons, he says “it feels great to study and work at the same time while in my country”. Further, “the course is well organised for one to be able to study and work at the same time. However, once in a while I do have problems due to poor internet connection. Sometimes I miss that in-person connection with my teachers. Otherwise, the DL mode is great.”
Alfred recommends that this year’s applications follow the instructions of the application meticulously. They should keep their stories personal. And the stories should be such that they are logical and relevant enough for their countries, and should be something the course can help them to achieve.
Boston Munthali, Malawi
Boston is an orthopaedic surgeon, currently working with Malawi Government, Ministry of Health. He’s also studying on the MSc Orthopaedic Trauma Science (via Distance Learning) course thanks to a Commonwealth scholarship.
He applied for MSc in orthopaedic trauma sciences to broaden his basic orthopaedic science knowledge and also enhance his skills in research. Boston says “so far I am enjoying the course and performance has been impressive. I am doing dissertation currently and it is gratifying. Distance learning is satisfactory because I can combine my job and the course without necessarily taking a holiday and it’s flexible. The drawback is that sometimes the internet services in my country are not of high quality and it’s costly.”
“My advice to the scholarship applicants is that they should apply for it without hesitation. This scholarship will bring so much potentials in your work whether academic or in clinical setting. This course is helping me to advance my clinical skills in orthopaedic surgery and at the same time helping me to advance my academic ladder by providing a platform for my future PhD studies.”
Ryan Duemonte, Trinidad and Tobago
Ryan is a Clinical Educator at the School of Nursing, Port of Spain General Hospital, Ministry of Education in Trinidad. He has previous degrees in Education and Nursing Education and is now taking the MSc in Trauma Sciences (via Distance Learning) thanks to a Commonwealth scholarship.
Ryan says “My love for trauma was realized when I began working as an intensive care nurse at the Port of Spain General Hospital. During my tenure at the ICU, I realized that there is a dire need to improve my knowledge of trauma and trauma management in order to improve the survival and recovery of my trauma patients. Having seen this programme being offered by a world leading Russell group university (QMUL) via the distance learning format, it was definitely the catalyst that made me apply as I was able to work in my home country while pursuing the degree.”
“This course has definitely surpassed my expectations. The programme is taught by leading experts in the field of trauma who are really up to date with the best practice in trauma care. The content of the programme is delivered via live recorded power point lectures and weekly tutorials. The weekly tutorials are very interactive and are delivered using real life trauma cases which enables you to develop and apply time critical thinking, analytical and decision making skills- which is needed to effectively manage trauma patients. The DL format allows you to review any missed recorded tutorial and PowerPoint at your convenience. Also, you are assigned a personal tutor who is there to support you throughout the programme.”
Ryan’s advice for people thinking about applying is to “not let doubt or fear disable your opportunities. Be confident, be driven, apply early and be a success!”
“This programme has expanded my clinical competence in managing critically ill trauma patients and therefore, I am better equipped both theoretically and clinically to deliver and teach trauma care at a higher standard. Also it allows me to expand my network with world leaders and experts in trauma which may give rise to new collaborative opportunities and expansion of knowledge by sharing of ideas, skills and resources.”
“My intention is to assist with reviewing and restructuring of the trauma nursing programme so that registered nurses will be trained at a higher standard. With improvements in training, critical ill trauma patients will experience an improvement in the rate of survival and recovery.”