Are you a citizen (or refugee) of a country that belongs to the Commonwealth? Do you dream of getting a Master’s degree but worry about the cost? Then the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarship (QECS) might be the perfect opportunity for you!
What is the QECS?
The QECS is a scholarship program that funds students from Commonwealth countries to pursue a two-year Master’s degree at a university in another Commonwealth country. This means you can study abroad and gain valuable international experience, all while having your expenses covered.
What are the benefits?
The QECS is a fully-funded scholarship, which means it covers all your costs for the duration of your studies. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
- Tuition fees: The scholarship will pay the full cost of your tuition fees at the host university.
- Living allowance: You’ll receive a regular stipend to help with your living expenses like accommodation, food, and transportation.
- Flights: The scholarship will cover the cost of your return economy flights to your host country.
- Arrival allowance: You’ll get some money to help you settle in when you first arrive in your host country.
- Research support grant (optional): In some cases, you may be eligible for an additional grant to support your research during your studies.
Who can apply?
To be eligible for the QECS, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a citizen (or refugee) of a Commonwealth country.
- There is no upper age limit to apply.
- Have a good academic background, with a minimum of a 2:1 (or equivalent) undergraduate degree.
- Have already completed your undergraduate degree (final-year students are not eligible).
- Be committed to full-time studies.
Participating Country and Universities Name for QECS Cycle 2 Applications
- Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa: The University of the South Pacific
- Ghana: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
- Mauritius: University of Mauritius
- Papua New Guinea: Papua New Guinea University of Technology
- South Africa: University of Pretoria, University of Venda
- Sri Lanka: University of Colombo, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
How to apply
The application process for the QECS involves a few steps:
- Check the application cycle: There are two application cycles for the QECS. Cycle 2 is currently open, with a deadline of May 24th, 2024.
- Choose your university and program: Look at the list of participating countries and universities for Cycle 2 (provided in the original text). Research the universities and programs that interest you, making sure they offer courses aligned with your academic goals. You can find more information about specific courses on the university websites.
- Apply to the university: Apply for admission to your chosen program at the university you’ve selected.
- Submit your QECS application: Once you’ve been accepted by the university, you can submit your official QECS application online. The application includes sections for your personal details, academic background, course details, and essays. You’ll also need to upload supporting documents like references.
