Introduction
The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) provide a unique, fully funded opportunity for students from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries to pursue a two-year master’s degree at prestigious universities in other Commonwealth nations.
These scholarships aim to foster academic excellence, cross-cultural exchange, and community development, empowering future leaders who are committed to creating positive impact both locally and globally.
Application Timeline
- Cycle 2 Applications Open: April 16, 2025
- Deadline to Apply: June 4, 2025, at 15:00 UTC
- Program Start Date: Academic year 2026
Degree Level
- Master’s Degree programs only
- Duration: 2 years, depending on host institution
Scholarship Benefits
Each Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarship includes:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly stipend to cover living expenses
- Round-trip economy airfare to the host country
- One-time arrival allowance
- Research support grant (available upon request and approval)
Host Universities & Countries for QECS 2026 (Cycle 2)
Applicants can apply to one university and programme only in this application cycle. The following institutions are eligible for QECS 2026:
Fiji
University of the South Pacific (USP)
University entry requirements
A relevant undergraduate degree with a GPA of 4.0/4.5.
Course start date: 30/01/2026
Contact: international@usp.ac.fj
Apply now
Mauritius
University of Mauritius
Course start date: 19/01/2026
Contact: admission@uom.ac.mu
Apply now
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT)
Course start date: 02/07/2025
Contact: info.pgs@pnguot.ac.pg
Apply now
South Africa
- Tshwane University of Technology
Course start date: 01/07/2025
Contact: MohlalaMF@tut.ac.za
Apply now
- University of Pretoria
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
Please refer to the university’s website for specific entry requirements for each programme.
Applicants are required to submit a university application at the same time as their scholarship application.
Course start date: 10/01/2026
Contact: TsoeuMR@ufs.ac.za
Apply now
- University of Venda
Entry requirements
An average examination mark of 65% in all honours exam modules or fourth level in a professional bachelor’s degree.
Course start date: 01/01/2026
Contact: Thizwilondi.nefale@univen.ac.za
Apply now
Sri Lanka
- University of Colombo
Applicants are required to submit a university application at the same time as their scholarship application.
Course start date: 02/03/2026
Contact: ar@ibmbb.cmb.ac.lk
Apply now
- University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Course start date: 01/01/2026
Contact: admin@pim.sjp.ac.lk
Apply now
Note: Only the listed universities and programmes are eligible for this cycle.
How to Apply
Follow these steps to submit a successful application:
- Review the available universities and eligible master’s programmes on the QECS official portal.
- Research your chosen course on the selected university’s website.
- Register or log in to your myACU account.
- Submit your QECS application through the online portal.
- Apply separately to the university for admission (as per their own application procedures).
- Important Note:
You can only apply to one course/university per cycle but may reapply in future cycles with different preferences.
Final Thoughts
The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships 2026 represent a powerful chance for aspiring professionals to gain an internationally respected qualification while contributing to meaningful change in their communities.
Apply now
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