The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) is a fully funded scholarship that allows recipients to study for a two-year master’s degree at an ACU member university in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country.
Note: DO NOT be in a haste to read and go! Take your time. The information that can help you secure the scholarship may just be in a paragraphy you might have skipped. Alternatively, you can check around for more scholarship opportunities here.
The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) are open to students committed to creating change in their communities through better education.
If you have been looking for a scholarship program that will allow you to experience a new country and culture, broaden your horizons, and build a global network that will last a lifetime, the Queen Elizabeth Fully Funded Scholarship is just the one for you.
It might interest you that the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarship is supported by The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) endowment fund.
HOW TO APPLY
There are windows to apply for QECS. The first cycle usually opens in November/December, and the second begins 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.
Applications for cycle 2 are currently open and will last till 24 May 2024. Before applying, read the application guidelines thoroughly to ensure everything is correct.
What does the scholarship cover?
The scholarship grant awarded by QECS covers the following:
- Fully-funds your tuition fees
- Gives you stipends for your living allowance for the duration of the award
- Travel allowance, mostly a One-off arrival to your host institution and a return economy flight to the host country.
- On request, you can get approved a Research Support Grant to support your research in your chosen field of study.
Here are a few universities hosting the QECS scholarships in this cycle and their requirements.
The University of the South Pacific
The University of the South Pacific(USP)
USP, located in the Pacific, is one of the member universities hosting the QECS scholarship. Interested applicants who intend to pursue a Masters degree in any of the following courses are free to apply;
- MA Environmental Management
- MSc Biology
- MSc Chemistry
- MSc Civil Engineering
- MSc Electrical Engineering
- MSc Environmental Science
- MSc Mechanical Engineering
- MSc Physics
University entry requirements
- To be eligible for the award of a Master’s Degree, a student must complete a minimum of 120 credit points in their undergraduate degree. All credit points for a Master’s Degree must be achieved at Levels 8 and 9.
- Must have passed the IELTS/TOEFL tests or any other English proficiency test with a minimum score.
- International applicants must have completed an educational qualification equivalent to their regional standards.
Endeavor to visit the University’s official website for more information about eligibility requirements.
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology(KNUST)
Students interested in applying at KNUST can do so and also apply for the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarship. Admission into KNUST is based on Academic excellence. Applicants for Master’s Degrees are required to have good academic records. Preference will be given to applicants with first-class or second-class upper or lower grades in their undergraduate studies.
Interested Applicants can visit the official website for more information on how to apply.
University of Mauritius
The UniversityUniversity of Mauritius offers an MPH Master of Public Health to interested applicants.
To be eligible for admission at the University of Mauritius:
- Applicants must have already obtained a high school diploma or an international bachelor’s degree.
- English proficiency is required, so passing the TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency test with the best score is required.
- A bachelor’s degree certificate or diploma equivalent certified by the appropriate bodies is required for applicants into the master’s programs.
You can refer to the University’sUniversity’s website for more entry requirements.
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
The University of Sri Jayewardenepura offers admission to international students who want to embark on their Master of Business Administration (MBA) studies.
They also offer other courses that might interest you. You can visit the University’s website to learn the degree entry requirements before applying.
Papua New Guinea University of Technology
The University of Technology Papua Guinea offers admissions to students from across the globe in the various courses offered by the university. The admission process is merit-based, as students with a 3.0 GPA or higher and a Grade 12 Higher School Certificate of Papua New Guinea or its equivalent qualifications set by an Admissions Committee.
Entry requirements vary from course to course. To be admitted to a particular course, a student must have reached the minimum entry requirement stipulated for that course. Applicants are advised to contact the UniversityUniversity for information on admission requirements.
University of Pretoria
International and national students interested in studying at the University of Pretoria can submit their applications to the Faculty Admissions Committee for consideration. Applicants must fulfill the University’sUniversity’s admission requirements to be considered for admission.
Applicants will be expected to write the Institutional Proficiency Test (currently the NBT) and the IELTS, the TOEFL or the SAT test; those with the required test score will be considered for admissions by the Faculty. Applicants should refer to the University’sUniversity’s website and postgraduate application guidance for entry requirements for Masters level.
University of Venda
If the University of Venda is your preferred institution, you will be required to meet any of these requirements.
- Must have a valid ID or passport.
- Must have an excellent academic record, accompanied by a certificate of good conduct from their tertiary institution.
- Must have a valid study /residence permit.
- They must have obtained a minimum 65% average in their final year at the previous institution.
Applicants are required to visit the official university website for more information on admission requirements before submitting their applications.
University of Colombo
Interested applicants for the University of Colombo must meet the required admission criteria before applying for admission into this institution.
Admission will be based on merit, as your good academic records will speak for you. You can visit the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology website for Master’s degree entry requirements.
To Apply for QECS:
- If you have decided which University to apply to, visit the university website for more information on your chosen course of study.
- Open a ‘myACU account’ and log in to start the QECS applications.
- Submit the application to your chosen University for admission to your chosen course.
- Wait for feedback. A confirmation email will be sent to you.
FAQS | Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships
Who is eligible for the Queen Elizabeth scholarship?
Applicants interested in the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship must possess an honors degree and obtain a minimum 65% average in their final year of studies. If you are eligible, you must submit a university application simultaneously with your scholarship application.
What is the Eligibility Criteria For the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship?
Candidates interested in the Queen Elizabeth scholarship must fulfill these criteria:
- Candidates must be citizen refugees or permanent residents of eligible commonwealth countries.
- Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree and have good academic standing.
- Candidates of all ages can apply.
- Candidates must apply through a host institution. Applications for admission into the host institution and applications for the scholarship should be submitted at the same time.
- Applicants must meet the entry requirements of the host institution.
When is the Application Deadline for the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarship?
The deadline for applications for the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarship 2024 is 24 May 2024.
Final Thoughts
Applications are currently open for the Queen Elizabeth Fully Funded Scholarship. You can grab this opportunity and get that Masters degree you have always wanted.
In this article, we have been able to list out the host institutions for this scholarship, and their eligibility criteria. Do well to read through, and contact your preferred institution for more information. Applications are online, and you have to submit your applications for admission at the same time as the scholarship applications.
You can apply for more than one host institution as long as you are eligible.
