The second round of applications for the 2025-2026 Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) is now open. These scholarships are hosted by universities in various Commonwealth countries, including Fiji, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, and Sri Lanka.

QECS  offers 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

4 June 2025

Who can apply?

Applicants must:

  • Be a citizen of, or hold refugee status in, a Commonwealth country;
  • Apply to study in a country other than their home country or country of citizenship;
  • Have completed an undergraduate degree.

Fields of Study

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the available courses, entry requirements, and application guidance before applying.

Country University Programmes Entry Requirements Start Date Contact
Fiji The University of the South Pacific (USP)
  • School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Oceans, and Natural Science (SAGEONS)
    • Master of Agriculture (by thesis)
    • MA Environmental Management, Geography, Marine Management
    • MSc Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Geospatial Science, Marine Science 
  • School of Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Physics (STEMP)
    • MA Mathematics
    • MSc Computing Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Mathematics, Physics
  • Relevant undergraduate degree with GPA of 4.0/4.5
 30 January 2026 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mauritius University of Mauritius
  • Master of Public Health (MPH)
 General:
  • Bachelor's degree with at least 50% or second class (GPA ≥ 2.5/4 or equivalent)
Specific:
  • Medically qualified: MBBS/MBChB or equivalent
  • Non-medically qualified: Upper second class degree or BDS + 2 years of relevant experience
  • Background in medicine, health sciences, biological/environmental sciences preferred
 14 January 2026 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT)
  • MArch Architecture
  • MEng Civil, Communication, Mechanical Engineering
  • MSc Agriculture, Applied Physics, Climate Change & Renewable Energy, Forestry
  • MTech Exploratory Geophysics
  • Merit degree or postgraduate diploma
  • Or bachelor’s with honours (GPA ≥ 3/5)
  • Or relevant first degree with 2+ years industry experience
Note: Apply for QECS first. Upon success, contact PNGUoT for university admission.		 2 July 2025 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sri Lanka University of Colombo
  • MSc Cellular and Molecular Immunology
  • MSc Molecular Life Sciences
  • Graduates in biological, medical, dental, veterinary, agricultural, chemical sciences, or biotechnology.
  • University application must be submitted concurrently with the scholarship application.
 2 March 2026 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  University of Sri Jayewardenepura
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA)
 One of the following:
  • Bachelor’s degree with second class pass in business or related fields
  • Bachelor’s degree + 1 year relevant work/teaching/research experience
  • Professional qualification + 2 years’ managerial/academic experience
  • Extensive senior managerial experience
 1 January 2026 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

What the scholarship offers

  • Fully funded tuition fees;
  • Living allowance (stipend) for the duration of the award;
  • Return economy-class airfare to the host country;
  • Once-off arrival allowance; and
  • Research Support Grant (available upon request and approval).

Application process

Step 1: Review the eligible courses and universities participating in this cycle. Only the courses listed are eligible for funding.

Step 2: Visit the relevant university website for more information on your selected programme.

Step 3: Submit a QECS application via the official portal by clicking ‘Apply now’. You’ll be redirected to a login page. If you don’t have a myACU account, click ‘Get started’ to create one.

Step 4: Submit a separate university application for admission to your chosen course (where applicable).

Applicants are strongly advised to read the Application Guidance and FAQs before applying.

Contact

For scholarship-related queries, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Documents and links

QECS Website

Application Guidance

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

 

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