Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships Qecs

The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships fund a two-year Master's degree in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country, administered by the Association of Commonwealth Universities. Rather than funding South Africans to study abroad, this programme can bring students from other Commonwealth countries to study at South African universities, and vice versa.

The scholarships exist to build skills and leadership across the Commonwealth, particularly in countries working to strengthen their higher education and development outcomes. South African institutions such as Stellenbosch University and Tshwane University of Technology are among the participating host universities.

Because the programme runs two application cycles each year, roughly one in November or December and another in March or April, it's worth checking the current cycle's dates directly rather than relying on a fixed annual deadline.

All successful applicants receive full tuition fee coverage, a living allowance or stipend, a one-off arrival allowance, and return flight airfare. This is designed to fully cover the cost of a two-year Master's degree without additional funding.

Beyond the financial support, scholars join a wider Commonwealth network of alumni and researchers, which many use to build collaborations well beyond their two years of study.

Host institutions include Stellenbosch University and Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa, alongside universities in other low and middle-income Commonwealth countries. You apply both to your chosen university for admission and separately for the scholarship itself.

Because the scholarship is tied to a Master's degree at a specific host institution, your choice of university and course matters as much as your academic record when applying.