Leeds Beckett University launches the 2023 Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme

The university will recruit nine postgraduate students who are citizens of Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ghana, The Gambia, or Sierra Leone, who wish to access training not available in their home countries, or who need to remain in their home country while they study.

Students will be taught through a combination of online learning and face-to-face teaching delivered in Kenya, at the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, and other key institutions in participating countries.

Scholarships include all tuition fees and fieldtrips, and travel costs for those students selected from outside of the country where face-to-face teaching is delivered.

The course is aimed at early-to-mid-career tourism professionals who will be able to study part-time over three years, which allows them to apply their learning to their workplace and contribute to local economic development and poverty reduction through delivering responsible tourism.

It is taught by staff with first-hand experience in tourism management, research, and consultancy, who will share their global expertise.

The places offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission have been funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), with the aim of contributing to the UK’s international development aims and wider overseas interests, supporting excellence in UK higher education, and sustaining the principles of the Commonwealth.

Dr Milka Ivanova, Course Director for the Responsible Tourism Management Programme in the School of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management at Leeds Beckett, said: “Within the travel and tourism industry, responding to global challenges such as post- pandemic resilience, climate change and changing consumer interests requires an increasing focus on responsible business practices that improve the quality of life for communities and conserve the environment and local cultures.

“This course helps meet the resulting demand for managers with the ability to implement responsible strategies within marketing, operations, product development and destination planning.”

Professor Rhodri Thomas, Dean of the School of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management, said: “Students from across the globe already choose to study at the School of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management, with this scholarship offering a fantastic opportunity to expand the reach of the course.

“These scholarships will help to ensure that more students have access to the skills and insights they need to progress in their careers.”

The Responsible Tourism Management course at Leeds Beckett is the only of its kind in the world that is certified by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) TedQual programme. It is rated five stars in QS World University Rankings and delivers an applied and holistic understanding of the tourism industry.

The university is also working in partnership with Welcome Ideas Tourism Development Incubator in Zanzibar and the Institute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia (ITTOG).

Scholarship applications for candidates open on Thursday 16th February and must be made by the closing date, Thursday 28th March via the Commonwealth online application system. For further information and how to apply visit the Commonwealth Distance Learning Master's Scholarships website.

In addition to the Commonwealth application, candidates must also apply for a place on the MSc at Leeds Beckett University before the deadline. To apply, visit the Leeds Beckett University Application Portal.

If you have any queries about the course, the scholarships or your application please email Dr Milka Ivanova at m.ivanova@leedsbeckett.ac.uk. We can also put you in touch with our in-country partners for more local enquiries.