Lancaster University Management School has secured 10 Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarshipsfor African students to study for Master’s degrees with the Centre for Executive Training and Development.

The scholarships, which are open to students from 10 Commonwealth nations working in the healthcare system, provide full funding on one of two Lancaster degrees: the MSc Medical Leadership or the MSc Leadership Practice (Healthcare Improvement).

Students from Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda who want to develop their professional practice in leadership and management, are eligible to apply. They will study via distance learning, with one three-day residential each academic year, to be held in Accra, Ghana (subject to international restrictions on travel due to the Covid-19 pandemic).

The scholarship, provided through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), covers all tuition fees, and successful applicants can also access a bursary which covers reasonable travel expenses for the Ghana induction.

“We are delighted to be able to offer this opportunity for 10 students to develop their medical leadership skills through the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships,” said Dr Debbie Simpson, Director of Post-Experience Programmes in Lancaster University Management School.

“This will be the third cohort of aspiring medical leaders supported by Lancaster University Management School, through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission Distance Learning Scholarship Programme.

“The programme offers the opportunity for Health Service Professionals, who would otherwise be unable to afford to study for a Master’s degree, to study and work towards leading health service improvement in their communities.”

The MSc in Medical Leadership is a programme for doctors or senior clinical staff. It helps them who develop their commitment to improving patient experience and service delivery; demonstrating caring, compassionate, authentic leadership; and building leadership capacity to achieve medical and organisational impact. The programme develops knowledge, understanding and skills in line with the UK Medical Leadership Competency Framework.

The MSc in Leadership Practice (Healthcare Improvement) is designed for leaders and managers in the healthcare industry looking to develop leadership and management skills. It initially includes either two healthcare related modules or the completion of a work-based project, followed by elective modules relating to leadership, management and healthcare, and a final work-based project.

Students interested in applying for the scholarships should contact the Centre for Executive Training and Development at Lancaster University, using the following form: https://asklums.typeform.com/to/KlafyF/

They must also apply directly to the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship Schemeto be considered for the scholarship. Details can be found here: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-distance-learning-scholarships-information-for-candidates/

Applications are already open and must be submitted to CSC by April 26, 2021, and to Lancaster University by April 19, 2021. The programme does not include study in the UK.