Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) 2021/2022 for students in Commonwealth Nations (Fully Funded)

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Applications for the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS)  are now open. The scholarships offer a unique opportunity to study a two-year Master’s degree in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country.

Aimed at students who are committed to creating change in their communities, the scholarships are a life-changing opportunity to experience a new country and culture, to broaden horizons, and to build a global network that will last a lifetime.

Through cultural exchange and academic collaboration, Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholars help bring about positive change and find solutions to the shared challenges we face – both in their home countries and those that host them. As an active part of the Commonwealth network, scholars will help shape its future.

 

How to Apply

The application form consists of the following sections:

• Eligibility
• Personal Details
• Academic & Employment Record
• Course at host university details
• Statements
• Upload supporting documents

The statement section is formed of three main statements which applicants need to provide. Guidance for what is required for each statement is shown below as well as on the application form itself.

Statement 1:   Plan of study (200-400 words)

Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships provide unique opportunities to study abroad for a Master’s in leading universities in low and middle-income Commonwealth countries. 

Your statement should answer the following questions: 

• Why have you chosen to study this course? What specific features of the course do you find interesting? 
• Why do you want to undertake this course at this institution and in this country?
• What have you done to research your chosen university? 
• How is this course relevant to your future career plans?
• Explain how your previous studies and experiences make you a suitable candidate for this course.

Statement 2:   Development impact and post study outreach (300-500 words)

The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships are for students committed to creating change in their communities. Scholars will be supported to develop their knowledge and skills, and learn how to apply them in their career so they can contribute towards solutions to global challenges and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.  

Your statement should answer the following questions: 

• Describe briefly one challenge or problem in your country that you would like to address.
• How will your proposed study help you contribute towards a solution to this challenge?
• What skills do you expect to gain from this scholarship?
• How will you use the knowledge and skills gained on award in your local community when you return home?

Sustainable development goals (150-200 words)

• Which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals does the subject you are studying most align to? (you can pick more than one).
• How will your proposed study contribute to this/these Sustainable Development Goal(s)? 

Statement 3: Creating networks (200-400 words)

The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships provide an opportunity to embrace new cultures, learn different perspectives and enhance collaboration at home and throughout the Commonwealth. 

Your statement should answer the following questions: 

• Explain how you have developed networks through academic studies, hobbies, work experience and/or volunteering experience.
• What connections and networks will help you to achieve impact from your scholarship? 
• How might you start to develop these connections during your study?

Before submitting an application, please review the available courses and entry requirements below - in addition to the application guidance. Please select a course that is offered at the university you select at the start of the form for your application to be counted. For more information, please read the FAQs.

 

Fiji

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The University of the South Pacific (USP)

• LLM Law
• MA Applied Linguistics
• MA Development Studies (by thesis or SRP*)
• MA Diplomacy & International Affairs (by coursework)
• MA Education
• MA Environmental Management
• MA Geography
• MA Governance (by coursework & by thesis or SRP*)
• MA History
• MA Journalism
• MA Linguistics
• MA Literature
• MA Marine Management
• MA Mathematics
• MA Pacific Studies
• MA Politics/ International Affairs (by thesis or SRP*)
• MA Psychology
• MA Social Policy
• MA Sociology
• Master of Agriculture (Thesis)
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Education
• Master of Environmental Law
• MCom Accounting (Thesis)
• MCom Economics (by coursework or by thesis)
• MCom Land Management (by thesis or SRP*)
• MCom Management & Public Administration (by coursework & by thesis or SRP
• MCom Official Statistics
• MCom Population Studies and Demography
• MCom Professional Accounting
• MCom Tourism & Hospitality Management (by thesis or SRP)
• MSc Engineering
• MSc Physics
• MSc Biology
• MSc Chemistry
• MSc Climate Change
• MSc Computing Science
• MSc Earth Science
• MSc Environmental Science
• MSc Geospatial Science
• MSc Information Systems
• MSc Marine Science
• MSc Mathematics

Entry requirements

See university website for individual course requirements. 

Contact: [email protected]

Apply now

 

Papua New Guinea

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Papua New Guinea University of Technology

• MSc Agriculture
• MSc Applied Physics
• MTech Exploration Geophysics
• Master of Communication Studies
• MEng Civil Engineering
• MEng Communication Engineering
• MEng Mechanical Engineering

Contact: [email protected]

Apply now

 

South Africa

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North-West University

• MSc Astrophysics*
• MSc Environmental Science*
• MSc Chemistry*
• MSc Pharmacology
• MSc Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• MSc Pharmaceutics
• M in Industrial Engineering
• MA History
• MA Music
• MA Social Anthropology
• MA Development Studies
• MA International Relations

Entry requirements 

*Physics, chemistry and maths required.

Applicants are required to submit a university application at the same time as their scholarship application.

Contact: [email protected]

Apply now

Rhodes University

All Faculties, full-time two-year Masters courses at Rhodes University, Makhanda.

Entry requirements

Honours degree or equivalent.

Applicants are required to submit a university application at the same time as their scholarship application.

Contact: [email protected]

Apply now

Stellenbosch University

• MSc Engineering (Process Engineering)
• MSc Psychology
• MSc Psychiatry

Applicants are required to submit a university application at the same time as their scholarship application.

Entry requirements

Refer to the Stellenbosch University website.

Contact: [email protected]

Apply now

University of Pretoria (UP)

Courses available on UP's website. 

Applicants are required to submit a university application before their scholarship application.

Entry requirements

Honours degree or equivalent.

Contact information found on UP's website under each faculty.

Apply now

University of Venda 

• Health and Life Sciences
• Physical Sciences and Mathematical Sciences
• Human and Social Sciences
• Management Sciences and Law
• Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
• Education

Entry requirements

Minimum 60% average at Honours level for admission in Masters degree.

Contact: [email protected]

Apply now

 

Sri Lanka

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University of Colombo 

• MSc Molecular Life Sciences
• MSc Cellular and Molecular Immunology

Entry requirements

Applicant must be graduates in subjects relating to biology, medicine (western), dentistry, veterinary science or agricultural sciences.

Contact: [email protected]

Apply now

University of Sri Jayewardenepura Sri Lanka (USJ)

• Master of Business Administration

Applicants are required to submit a university application at the same time as their scholarship application, as well as an online selection test. There may be a cost associated with this test. Contact USJ for more information.

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree and three years of managerial experience.

Contact: [email protected]

Apply now

Opening date: 15 April 2021
Closing date: 10 June 2021 at 15:00 UTC

Click here for more information

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