Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) — Master's Scholarship

The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships support full-time, in-person master’s study at participating ACU member universities in low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries. The Association of Commonwealth Universities manages the programme with funding from the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan endowment fund.

Scholars cross a national border to complete an eligible course and join a Commonwealth academic network. The programme runs two application cycles each year, and the next student round opens on 18 November 2026.

Benefits & funding

Full tuition fees for the eligible master’s course.
A living stipend for the duration of the award.
Return economy flights to the host country.
A one-time arrival allowance.
A research support grant may be approved on request.
Published allowance amounts are provided only in the successful applicant’s award letter.

Eligibility

Applicants must be citizens of a Commonwealth country or hold refugee status in one.
The scholarship must be taken in a country other than the applicant’s country of citizenship; a refugee is treated as a citizen of the country granting refugee status.
Applicants must already hold an undergraduate degree graded at least 2:1 or equivalent when they apply. Final-year undergraduate students are not eligible.
Funding is for a new, full-time, in-person master’s course lasting no more than two years at a host and course listed for the relevant cycle.
There is no age limit. Host-university course requirements, including any English-language or work-experience conditions, also apply.

Can you apply?

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Education required
Bachelor

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Application process

1
When the cycle opens, review the host countries, universities, and eligible courses listed on the QECS programme page.
2
Check the chosen university’s course requirements and admission timetable.
3
Create or use a myACU account and submit the online QECS application, including academic and employment information, statements, supporting documents, and two references.
4
Apply separately to the chosen university for course admission; an admission offer is not required when the QECS form is submitted, but the university application remains mandatory.
5
Review every document before submission because a submitted QECS application cannot be amended.

Program timeline

The most recent cycle 2 application window closed.
3 June 2026
October 2026
Cycle 2 applicants are expected to receive decisions before January–February course starts.
18 November 2026
The 2027–28 cycle 1 application window opens.
13 January 2027
The 2027–28 cycle 1 application window closes.
Cycle 1 applicants are expected to receive decisions.
July 2027
Cycle 1 courses begin, according to the host university’s calendar.
July–October 2027