DEADLINE: 10 JANUARY 2023
The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) 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.
This means that although a university in your home country can be part of this scholarship program, you are not eligible to study there. You can only use this scholarship to study in a university outside of your home country.
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.
Before submitting an application please review the available courses, host institutions and entry requirements below.
We strongly advise applicants to read all of the application guidance and FAQs carefully before starting an application.
SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT
QECS scholars receive:
Fully-funded tuition fees
Living allowance (stipend) for duration of award
Return economy flights to their host country
An arrival allowance
(Research support grant – on request only; subject to approval)
ELIGIBLE UNIVERSITIES
HOW TO APPLY
You are encouraged to apply for your chosen course of study before or at the same time as applying for a QECS. Further guidance on whether you should apply for your course at the same time as the scholarship is explained on the QECS homepage under the relevant host university section.
You will need to submit an application for admission to your chosen university course directly to the university in addition to completing a QECS application. On the QECS homepage there is a link to the university's website for more information and contact details that can be used to write to the university with any questions that you may have regarding university admission applications.
The application form consists of the following sections:
Eligibility
Personal Details
Academic & Employment Record
Course at host university details
Statements
Upload supporting documents (including references)
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.
Plan of study (200 - 400 words) that answers 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.
2. Development impact and post study outreach (300 - 500 words)
Describe briefly one challenge or problem in your country that you would like to address. How do you hope to contribute to addressing this?
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 apply/share the knowledge and skills gained on award in your local community and/or the wider Commonwealth when you return home?
3. Statement on SDGs (200 - 300 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)?
4. Creating networks ( 200 - 400 words)
Explain how you have developed professional networks. These can be through academic studies, hobbies, work experience, volunteering involvement in social, cultural or Commonwealth organisations.
How have you used the networks and connections that you have developed to achieve something? What did you achieve?
How might you develop these connections further during your international study experience?