The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships, run by the Association of Commonwealth Universities, fund a two-year Master's degree at a university in a low- or middle-income Commonwealth country — a different country from your own, so scholars experience real South–South academic exchange. It is fully funded: tuition, living stipend, return flights, an arrival allowance and an optional research grant. Two cycles run each year; Cycle 1 opens in November/December (expected 18 Nov 2026) with an expected January 2027 close.
Why it is notable: one of the few major scholarships that deliberately funds study in developing Commonwealth countries rather than the UK/West; two application windows a year; you may submit more than one application if they are for different host countries/universities.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Fully funded tuition fees.
Living allowance (stipend) for the duration of the award.
Return economy flights to the host country.
One-off arrival allowance.
Research Support Grant — on request only, subject to approval.
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Bachelor degree at 2:1 or equivalent |for Masters
"This scholarship is offered for two-year Master's degree programmes at the host universities and courses listed for the application cycle."
Who can apply
citizens of Commonwealth countries, or people with refugee status in a Commonwealth country. You must study in a country other than your own (awards cannot be held in your home country or country of citizenship). Only the host universities and courses listed for the cycle are eligible.
Experience
No experience required (none stated on the official pages)
Language Certificate
course-dependent (host universities set their own English requirements; the CSC/QECS system does not impose a general IELTS requirement — check each university)
Other Certificates
academic records; host university admission application documents
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Tools that may help
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Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
citizens of, or recognised refugees in, Commonwealth countries pass. Non-Commonwealth nationalities fail. The host country must differ from the applicant's own…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Qualification
minimum 2:1 (or equivalent) at undergraduate level — mandatory.
02
Nationality
citizen of, or recognised refugee in, a Commonwealth country.
03
Host rule
study must be in a low- or middle-income Commonwealth country different from your own; only cycle-listed host universities and courses.
04
Documents
passport/ID, full academic transcripts, two references, statements; separate host-university admission application.
05
Statements (essays)
the application includes personal statements — connect your study plan to creating change in your community (the scholarship's stated aim).
06
References
two references required.
Document checklist
01Valid passport or national identity document showing citizenship (or refugee status).
02Full academic transcripts.
03References (two).
04Personal/development-impact statements as required by the form.
05Host university admission application (separate).
Application fee
No fee — completely free (the myACU scholarship application is free; the host university may charge its own admission fe
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: host-country dependent (low/middle-income Commonwealth host) — apply for the host country's student visa/permit once you hold the host university's admission letter and the QECS award letter.
Application Procedure
10 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
When Cycle 1 opens
look through the list of host countries and universities on the QECS homepage — only listed courses are eligible.
How many times can I apply? A: Two cycles a year — Cycle 1 opens November/December, Cycle 2 March/April. You only need to submit one application, but you may apply more than once if another country inCan I apply for more than one host university? A: Yes — as long as they are for different host countries/universities; only one application per host university (the first submitted counts).Can I study in my home country? A: No — you must study in a different low- or middle-income Commonwealth country.Are high-income countries like the UK, Canada or Australia hosts? A: No — QECS awards are only hosted by low- and middle-income countries.Do I need to apply to the university separately? A: Yes — submit a QECS application via myACU AND an admission application to the host university.If a university was listed last cycle, will it be listed again? A: Not necessarily — only the universities listed on the QECS homepage are hosts for the current cycle; availability varies with academiDo previous results affect my application? A: No — awards are selected by an independent, objective panel; previous results are not considered.Is there an application fee? A: No — the myACU scholarship application is free (the host university may have its own admission fee).
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
low- or middle-income Commonwealth count · ACU member universities
