Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) – 2-Year Master’s in a Commonwealth Country (Cycle 2 Closed; Next Cycle TBA)
The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) fund a two-year Master’s degree in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country other than your own — a deliberately South-South and South-North model that sends African students to study in places like South Africa and Papua New Guinea rather than only the traditional UK/US/Australia route.
Status: The 2026/2027 Cycle 2 round closed 3 June 2026. Future cycles open periodically on the official ACU (Association of Commonwealth Universities) website — check for the next intake announcement.
What it covers: Full tuition fees, travel costs, and a living stipend for the complete two-year Master’s programme, funded jointly by the UK government and Commonwealth partner universities.
Detailed Eligibility Checklist
- Citizen of (or hold refugee status in) a Commonwealth country — eligible African countries include Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Botswana, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Cameroon, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mauritius, and Mozambique
- Bachelor’s degree already completed and conferred at the time of application — final-year students are not eligible
- Minimum 2:1 (Upper Second Class Honours) or international equivalent
- No upper age limit
- Have not already started the programme you are applying to be funded for
Why the Country Choice Matters
Unlike scholarships that send you to a single fixed destination, QECS requires you to apply to study in a Commonwealth country different from your own — and only specific courses at specific partner universities are eligible each cycle (recent rounds included South African and Papua New Guinean institutions offering programmes in climate change, engineering, and applied physics). Always check the current cycle’s official course list before choosing your programme, since only listed courses qualify for funding.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Check the official ACU website for the current cycle’s participating universities and eligible courses.
- Apply separately to your chosen university for admission — some universities (e.g. Tshwane University of Technology) require you to include your university application ID in your QECS form.
- If your chosen destination is South Africa, start your SAQA qualifications evaluation early — it can take several weeks.
- Submit your QECS application with your development impact statement explaining how your studies will benefit your home country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I study in my own country? No — QECS specifically funds study in a Commonwealth country other than your own.
What makes a strong development impact statement? Reviewers look for a clear, specific link between your proposed studies and a tangible plan for applying that knowledge back home after graduation.