Do you have a serious interest in online teaching, technology-enhanced learning and educational technology?
Would you like to gain a Master’s degree with one of the UK’s leading providers of digital education, for study commencing in February 2025? Are you a citizen of one of the following developing Commonwealth countries, a refugee from one of the following countries, or a British Protected Person?
Bangladesh, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Dominica, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, 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, The Gambia, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia
Are you permanently resident in one of the above countries?
The Open University’s Institute of Educational Technology (IET) has been awarded 10 fully funded Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships for citizens of developing Commonwealth countries who wish to study IET’s Masters in Online Teaching (MAOT). We are pleased to invite applications for these scholarships.
The closing date for applications is 16.00 (GMT) on 28 March 2024.
These Scholarships are funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and are intended to contribute to the development needs of Commonwealth countries by enabling talented and motivated individuals to access training and skills required for sustainable development by undertaking part-time Masters study with UK universities while remaining in their home countries.
Intended beneficiaries
High-quality candidates from eligible low and middle-income Commonwealth countries who wish to access training not available in their home countries, who wish 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.
About the Masters in Online Teaching
The Open University’s Masters in Online Teaching (MAOT) is studied entirely online. The MAOT develops skills in the theory-informed design of technology-enhanced, blended and online learning. The MAOT is designed to address educational inequity in all its forms and, as such, is relevant to achieving inclusive, high quality, equitable blended and online education. The Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships are for three years’ part-time distance learning, commencing in February 2025. The scholarships will cover the full cost of tuition fees but no other expenses.
It is likely that Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship holders will study the following modules, in the order stated. However, there may be some variation in the exact content offered.
Stage 1 – February-October 2025:
- Compulsory module H880 Technology-enhanced learning: foundations and futures.
Stage 2 – October 2025 – September 2026
60 credits from either four of the following 15-credit microcredentials, currently presented three times annually:
- Online teaching: Evaluating and improving courses.
- Teacher development: Embedding mental health in the curriculum.
- Online teaching: Accessibility and inclusive learning.
- Online teaching: Embedding social, race and gender-related equity.
- Online teaching: Addressing the climate emergency (first presentation date to be confirmed).
Or one 60-credit postgraduate module chosen from:
- Social justice, equity and equality: inclusive practice for all.
- Exploring educational leadership: values, context and strategy.
- Learning and teaching: educating the next generation.
Stage 3 – October 2025 – May 2026:
- Compulsory module H890 Research and scholarship in digital education. This module develops skills in critically evaluating and conducting digital education-related research and scholarship and is suitable preparation for future doctoral study.
Who can apply?
To be eligible for a Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship to study the Masters in Online and Distance Education you must:
- 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
- Be permanently in one of the eligible developing Commonwealth countries listed above; and
- 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; and
- Be unable to afford to study the programme without this scholarship.
You will also need access to a computer with reliable broadband internet access. You do not need to be working in technology-enhanced learning but you should be interested in developing expertise in this area.
General conditions for the Scholarships are available here: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-distance-learning-scholarships-candidates/.
How to apply
- Visit the Masters in Online Teaching website to find out more about the programme. Do not attempt to register for any of the modules.
- Read the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships Information for Candidates. If you have any questions please contact IET-OnlineTeaching@open.ac.uk in the first instance, giving the subject ‘2024 Commonwealth Scholarships query’.
- Complete the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship application form by 16.00 (GMT) on 28 March 2024 and submit it online. You should complete all sections of the application form as fully as possible as the form will be the basis for selection of candidates. Pay particular attention to describing in detail how you intend to achieve in-country benefit as a result of your study of the Masters in Online Teaching.
Awesome news and timely
Greetings. I am the holder of an Associate Degree in ICT. Can I enroll in this program?
Greetings. Thank you for your interest in our MAOT scholarships. To apply, you need to complete the full application form available here. To establish your eligibility we would need to have further information about your Associate Degree. You can upload that information with your application.
It’s a good initiative
I need some information of this program thnks
Thank you for your interest in our MAOT scholarships. To find out more about the programme please follow the links above. To apply, you need to complete the full application form available here.
I what do I need to apply,
I’m interested
Thank you for your interest in our MAOT scholarships. To apply, you need to complete the full application form available here.
One of the primary reasons I am motivated to pursue this scholarship is to is my unwavering passion for learning. Education has the power to transform lives, empower individuals and drives societal progress. I firmly believe that by acquiring master degree on educational technology j will be equipped with necessary knowledge and skills to create innovative solutions that can revolutionized the way education is delivered.
Thank you for your interest in our MAOT scholarships. To apply, you need to complete the full application form available here.
Am interested in having scholarship to do my degree in public health
Thank you for your interest in our MAOT scholarships. To apply, you need to complete the full application form available here.
I will be grateful if scholarship is been awarded to me
Thank you for your interest in our MAOT scholarships. To apply, you need to complete the full application form available here.
My name is Arani, citizen of Sri Lanka, above mentioned developing Commonwealth countries Sri Lanka is missing.
Thank you for your interest in our MAOT scholarships. To apply, you need to complete the full application form available here. Sri Lanka is in the list of approved countries above.
Very interested
Very interested
Thank you for your interest in our MAOT scholarships. To apply, you need to complete the full application form available here.
I would to study MAOT assist a lot of students who want to do pursue certain programmes online. I further wish to enhance my IT skills, knowledge and competencies. nowadays, technology has replaced physical contact sessions, hence my intentions to pursue MAOT. Gone are the days where a student and teachers have to sit face each in the processes of teaching and learning. Distance is no longer a barrier these days.It is through MAOT that, this can be achieved. I therefore want to pursue a MAOT programme so that I become a 21st century teacher. I hope these reasons are convincing enough to consider me for admmission. Thank you.
Thank you for your interest in our MAOT scholarships. To apply, you need to complete the full application form available here.
I would to study MAOT assist a lot of students who want to do pursue certain programmes online. I further wish to enhance my IT skills, knowledge and competencies. nowadays, technology has replaced physical contact sessions, hence my intentions to pursue MAOT. Gone are the days where a student and teachers have to sit face each in the processes of teaching and learning. Distance is no longer a barrier these days.It is through MAOT that, this can be achieved. I therefore want to pursue a MAOT programme so that I become a 21st century teacher. I hope these reasons are convincing enough to consider me for admission. Thank you.
Thank you for your interest in our MAOT scholarships. To apply, you need to complete the full application form available here.
I would like to study MAOT to assist a lot of students who want to pursue certain programmes online. I further wish to enhance my IT skills, knowledge and competencies. Nowadays, technology has replaced physical contact sessions, hence my intentions to pursue MAOT. Gone are the days where a student and teacher sat face to face with each in the processes of teaching and learning. Distance is no longer a barrier these days. It is through MAOT that, this can be achieved. I therefore want to pursue a MAOT programme so that I become a 21st century teacher. I hope these reasons are convincing enough to consider me for admission. Thank you.
Thank you for your interest in our MAOT scholarships. To apply, you need to complete the full application form available here.
I belong to Pakistan, and fresh bachelor degree in computer science can i get this opportunity
You appear to be eligible, though it’s important that you study the information above and on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website very carefully and then give plenty of information in your application form. Thank you for your interest.
Hi, how many modules one need to complete the MAOT? Is it 3 modules? Just to confirm:
2 compulsory modules (H880 & H890)
1 postgraduate module (60-credits)
OR
2 compulsory modules (H880 & H890)
PLUS 4 microcredentials (15-credits).
Can one pursue a PhD after completing this Masters degree?
Thanks
Thank you for your interest in the MAOT scholarships. Your summary above is accurate. There are two choices of pathway through the MAOT – one features 3 modules, and the second features two modules and four microcredentials.
Yes, the MAOT is very good preparation for a PhD, with its final module covering research and scholarship in digital education.
Very interested
I am very much interested.
That’s good to hear. Now you need to follow the application process outlined in the post above.