The first round of applications for the 2025-2026 Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) is now open. Scholarships are hosted by universities in Commonwealth countries, including Eswatini, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The QECS offer a unique opportunity to study a two-year Master's degree in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country.
The Scholarships provide a life-changing opportunity for students committed to making a positive impact in their communities to experience another country and culture, to broaden their horizons, and to build a global network that will last a lifetime.
Degree level
Master’s
Deadlines
14 January 2025
Who can apply?
Applicants:
- Must be a citizen of, or hold refugee status in, a Commonwealth country;
- Must apply to study in a country other than their home country or country of citizenship;
- Must have completed an undergraduate degree.
Fields of Study
Explore the available courses, universities, and entry requirements. Applicants are strongly advised to read the application guidance and FAQs before applying.
| Country | University | Courses Offered | Entry Requirements | Course Start Date | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | University of Eswatini | MA African Languages and Linguistics, MA History, MEd Educational Foundations and Management, MNSc Family Nurse Practice, MSc Agricultural Extension, MSc Animal Science, MSc Computer Science, MSc Food Science and Technology, MSc Mathematics, MSc Textiles | Undergraduate degree in a relevant field. Additional requirements outlined in the University Calendar (uneswa.ac.sz). | 18 August 2025 | |
| Jamaica | University of the West Indies | LLM Competition Law, MPH Public Health, MSc Gender Studies, MSc Biomedical Research, MSc Sport Management, MSc Aviation Management, MSc Food Science and more. | Varies by campus and course. Details available on respective campus websites (uwi.edu). | 24 August 2025 | |
| Kenya | Technical University of Kenya | MSc Applied Parasitology, MSc Computational Chemistry, MSc Construction Project Management, MSc Electrical and Electronic Engineering, MSc Land Administration, MSc Physics, MTech Manufacturing Engineering | Bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Full details at tukenya.ac.ke. | 1 October 2025 | |
| Malaysia | Universiti Malaya (UM) | Refer to study.um.edu.my/programmes.php. Clinical programmes under the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry are excluded. | Meet programme specific requirements listed on the university's website. | 7 October 2025 | |
| Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) | MSc Accounting, MSc Agribusiness, MSc Economics, MSc Management, MSc Tourism, MSc Social Psychology, MSc Halal Products Management, MSc Sustainable Recreation and Ecotourism, MSc Youth Studies | Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.750 or equivalent. Details at upm.edu.my. Provisional admission may be considered for final-year students. | 30 September 2025 | ||
| Tanzania | State University of Zanzibar | MBA in Finance, MEd Youth Gender and Development, MSc Chemistry, MSc Information Technology, MSc Natural Resource Management and Climate Change | Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Full details at suza.ac.tz. | 15 October 2025 | |
| Uganda | Makerere University | MSc Civil Engineering, MSc Food Safety and Quality Management, MSc Renewable Energy. | Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. | 15 August 2025 |
What the scholarship offers
- Fully funded tuition fees;
- Living allowance (stipend) for duration of award;
- Return economy flights to the host country;
- Once-off arrival allowance; and
- Research Support Grant (upon request and approval).
Application process
Applicants are strongly advised to read the the application guidance and FAQs pages before starting an application.
- Review the list of eligible countries, universities, and courses.
- Visit the relevant university’s website to confirm entry requirements.
- Submit your QECS application via the Apply Now portal.
- Create a myACU account to start your application if you do not have one.
- Apply to your chosen university for admission to your preferred course.
Contact
For scholarship-related queries, email:
Documents and links
Note
Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
