MA Philanthropic Studies (Distance Learning)
Canterbury, United Kingdom
MA
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 10,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* payable in two instalments of £5,000 per year
Key Summary
Designed for working professionals, the course is delivered entirely online, so you can gain a critical and strategic understanding of giving while balancing your studies with your career. You’ll engage with questions about why people give, how to lead change, and what impact really means.
You’ll be taught by experts in the field. The curriculum is rooted in real-world application, drawing on disciplines from social policy and sociology to law and business. You’ll also join an engaged cohort of practitioners and connect through our optional annual conference on campus.
Whether you’re already leading change in the non-profit sector or looking to make a meaningful move into it, this course will deepen your insight, strengthen your strategy, and expand your network.
Scholarship value
The award covers tuition fees, return airfares and living costs for a one-year taught Master's programme.
Deadline
Deadline for Commonwealth application: - 12 December 2024.
Hold an unconditional offer (with the only outstanding condition, international fee deposit) of a programme of study from the University of Kent - 31 January 2025
Criteria
To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, candidates must:
- Hold an undergraduate degree at UK first-class level equivalent.
- Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by one of the eligible Commonwealth countries listed or be a British Protected Person.
- Be a permanent resident in one of the eligible Commonwealth countries listed above.
- To be committed to the University of Kent, you can apply for more than one course and/or to more than one University, but you may only accept one offer of a Shared Scholarship.
- Not have studied or worked for one (academic) year or more in a high-income country.
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
- Return to their home country as soon as their period of study is complete. In some circumstances, a student may be permitted to remain in the UK if seeing doctoral study and satisfy certain strict conditions.
- Hold an offer by the deadline for a full-time postgraduate taught degree on one of the eligible courses at the University of Kent:
- MSc Artificial Intelligence
- MSc Infectious Diseases
- MSc Cyber Security
- MA International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
- MSc Applied Actuarial Science
- MSc Conservation Science
- MA English and American Literature
Further details
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, set up by DFID in 1986, represent a unique partnership between the United Kingdom government and UK Universities.
Funded by the UK Department of International Development (DFID), Commonwealth Shared Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development. They are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.
These scholarships are offered under six themes:
- Science and technology for development
- Strengthening health systems and capacity
- Promoting global prosperity
- Strengthening global peace, security and governance
- Strengthening resilience and response to crises - Access, inclusion and opportunity.
How to apply
To be considered for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship you must:
- Make a formal application for a postgraduate degree at the University of Kent commencing September 2025/26. This can be done online here.
- Complete the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) online application process. For information on how to do that and full details of the application process please go directly to the Commonwealth Scholarships webpages.
- Applications will be considered based on Academic Excellence and a completed application.
- The Commonwealth will accept applications until 12th December 2024 (closing at 16:00 GMT).
Stage 1
Compulsory modules currently include the following
- Fundamentals of Philanthropy
- Art and Science of Fundraising
- Advising Donors
- Leading Social Action
Stage 2
Compulsory modules currently include the following
- Global Philanthropy: Comparative Perspectives
- Research Methods for Philanthropic Studies
- Dissertation in Philanthropic Studies
Understanding philanthropy is a crucial skill for anyone aspiring to be effective in a role in a charity or grant-making body or as a philanthropist. The knowledge and skills that you gain through this Master's programme will equip you with an essential and highly practical understanding of the history, methodologies and impact of philanthropic activity.
The distance learning delivery of the Master’s programme enables you to fit learning around your life and work commitments and you have the chance to apply your knowledge as you progress. Each cohort contains a unique mix of experiences and professions, providing a valuable opportunity for information exchange and networking, so you can make rapid progress in your career, without having to take time out.
Our expert academics - who are leaders in the field - are also excellent teachers, who will able to ensure you develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to thrive after you graduate. Whether you are looking to break into the sector, or looking for that extra edge to take the next step in your career, we'll make sure you can get to where you want to go, and hit the ground running when you get there.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
- Fully online and designed with busy professionals in mind, allowing you to study from anywhere in the world.
- Modules are delivered through a rich mix of expert-led video lectures, live webinars, curated readings and interactive case materials.
- Learn from sector-leading academics and practitioners, including exclusive interviews with major donors, foundation directors and philanthropy advisors.
- Access to real-time and recorded learning, making it easy to study flexibly around your personal and professional commitments.
Independent study
- Engage with key ideas through guided readings, video content and applied assignments tailored to your professional interests.
- You’ll be encouraged to reflect on your own role within philanthropy and explore how theory connects to your everyday practice.
- As you progress, you’ll develop a personal area of expertise, culminating in a research-led project or dissertation on a topic of your choice.
Assessment
- Assessment is entirely coursework-based, with no exams.
- Assignments include essays, case study analyses, strategy documents, reflective pieces and policy briefings.
- You’ll be supported to connect academic insight with real-world challenges in your own organisation or sector.
- Feedback is constructive, timely and designed to help you grow in both confidence and capability.
Support and opportunities
- Join a diverse, supportive online learning community, where students share insight from across the philanthropic world.
- You’ll be known by name and supported personally by your lecturers, with regular one-to-one meetings and interactive online spaces.
- Attend optional in-person events, including our annual conference in Canterbury – a chance to connect, collaborate and expand your network.
- Continue your learning beyond graduation through alumni events, research updates and a thriving professional community linked to the Kent Centre for Philanthropy.
Study support
Graduate and Researcher College
The Graduate and Researcher College ensures that the academic and social interests of postgraduate students are provided for within the University. It works alongside academic schools to support and develop internationally distinctive, exciting and innovate programmes of study that combine academic excellence with an exceptional student experience and appropriate learning resources through the provision of:
- high-quality postgraduate facilities
- a supportive environment for the intellectual interests of our postgraduates
- an excellent Researcher Development Programme
- a strong framework of specialist support for our postgraduates across the University
- the cultivation of external links with Research Councils, graduate schools and other organisations, both nationally and internationally, to provide further funding and study opportunities
For more details see our Graduate and Researcher College page.
Dynamic publishing culture
Tutors on this course are all research-active, publishing regularly in academic journals, writing books and presenting research at international conferences.
Global Skills Award
All students registered for a taught Master's programme are eligible to apply for a place on our Global Skills Award Programme. The programme is designed to broaden your understanding of global issues and current affairs as well as to develop personal skills which will enhance your employability.