Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships

Applications open: 16 April 2025
Applications close: 15:00 UTC, 4 June 2025

The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) offer a unique opportunity to study a two-year Master's degree in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country.

Aimed at students who are committed to creating change in their communities, the scholarships are a life-changing opportunity to experience a new country and culture, to broaden horizons, and to build a global network that will last a lifetime.

Through cultural exchange and academic collaboration, Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholars help bring about positive change and find solutions to the shared challenges we face - both in their home countries and those that host them. As an active part of the Commonwealth network, scholars will help shape its future.

Each year there are two opportunities to apply for QECS – cycle 1 opens in November/December and cycle 2 opens in March/April. You only need to submit one application, but you are welcome to apply more than once if there is another country you are interested in studying in.

What does the scholarship cover?

Fully-funded tuition fees
Living allowance (stipend) for duration of award
Return economy flights to host country
One-off arrival allowance
Research Support Grant (on request only; subject to approval)

We strongly advise all applicants to read the the application guidance and FAQs pages before starting an application.

Applications for cycle 2 are now open.

Application guidance Application FAQs

How to apply

Look through the list of countries and universities hosting scholarships in this cycle. Please note that only the courses listed are eligible for scholarship funding.
Visit the relevant university website for more information on your chosen course using the links included below.
Complete and submit a QECS application for your chosen university/course by clicking the ‘Apply now’ button. Once you’ve clicked apply, you’ll be directed to a log in page. If you don't already have a myACU account, click get ‘get started’ in the right hand corner of the page to start your application.
Submit an application to your chosen university for admission to your chosen course.

My research in cellular and molecular medicine wouldn't have been possible without the QECS. I came away with a wealth of knowledge, new collaborators and exciting new ideas.

QECS alumnus Tolulope Saliu

University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Fiji

The University of the South Pacific (USP)

Mauritius

University of Mauritius

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT)

South Africa

Tshwane University of Technology

University of Pretoria

Programmes

LLM in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa
LLM in Trade and Industry Law in Africa
MSc in Development Studies
MSc in Political Science
MTD Science of Religion and Missiology
MTH Practical Theology

Please refer to the University of Pretoria's what to study guide and visit the relevant faculty page for more information about each programme.

University entry requirements

A relevant honours degree or postgraduate diploma or a relevant bachelor’s degree at NQF Level 8 (SAQA certificate).
Other requirements:
- A master’s by dissertation – acceptance of a dissertation or other form of research, such as a technical report, one or more creative performance or works, or a series of peer-reviewed articles or other research-equivalent outputs.
- A master’s by coursework and mini-dissertation – a research project comprising a minimum of 60 credits at NQF level 9, culminating in the acceptance of a mini-dissertation or other forms of research – see above.

Requirements for international students applying to study at the University of Pretoria.

Apply immediately to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) at www.saqa.org.za if you have qualifications obtained from outside South Africa.
Identify and secure a supervisor before applying. Check with the faculty to see whether this is a requirement for the degrees listed above.
Email queries to the administrator of your chosen department.
Obtain all the necessary information about your proposed study programme.

Read more about the University of Pretoria's entry requirements here.

Applicants are required to submit a university application at the same time as their scholarship application.

Please note that the University of Pretoria postgraduate scholarship office will only consider applications for QECS that have a student number for 2026 intake.

Please refer to the online application instructions for more information.

Course start date: 14/02/2026

Contact: ssc@up.ac.za

Apply now

University of the Free State

University of Venda

Sri Lanka

University of Colombo

University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Apply now

Submit your application here

More information

Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships are made possible by the generous support of The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) endowment fund.

Find out more about the CSFP endowment fund

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Meet the scholars

Advancing artificial intelligence for healthcare and developing human capital in low-resource settings

Yusuf Brima, QECS alumnus