The next generation of African healthcare leaders will gain invaluable education and skills at Lancaster University through the award of Master’s scholarships.

Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) has been awarded five Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships to develop skills and knowledge in those who would otherwise be unable to afford the education.

The scholarships allow healthcare professionals chosen from 20 Commonwealth countries to study for MSc Healthcare Leadership degrees. The programme is delivered by the Professional and Executive Management Learning (PEML) Department in LUMS, starting in the academic year 2025/26.

The scholarships are offered through the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission (CSC). They provide full funding for part-time study over two to five years.

“Through the Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships, we are able to help the future leaders in Africa’s healthcare sector to gain the skills they need to bring about a bright future,” said programme leader Dr Jo Greenwood.

“The beneficiaries of the five scholarships will develop their professional practice in leadership and management and gain the kind of insights and skills that Lancaster’s respected expertise in shaping aspiring medical leaders provides.

“Between Lancaster and the CSC, we can help those who would otherwise be unable to study for a Master’s degree.”

The MSc in Healthcare Leadership is for clinicians interested in developing and proving their commitment to improving patient experience and service delivery; demonstrating caring, compassionate, authentic leadership; and developing leadership capacity for medical and organisational impact.

The programme develops knowledge, understanding and skills in line with the Medical Leadership Competency Framework, equipping students with the leadership capabilities and the skills necessary to drive meaningful change within the healthcare sector.

Students from Botswana, Cameroon, Eswatini, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia are eligible to apply. They will study via distance learning, with a residential held at either the LU Ghana campus in Accra, or at Lancaster University itself.

Prospective scholarship students must apply to Lancaster University before Tuesday, May 20, 2025. This can be done using this application form. They must also apply to the CSC before the same deadline. Information for this can be found on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website.