Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS)

The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) are offered by the Association of Commonwealth Universities through an endowment under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan. They enable students from across the Commonwealth to undertake a full master’s degree at a university in another Commonwealth country, with a focus on study in low and middle-income nations and on creating change at home.

The award is fully funded, covering full tuition and course-related fees, a monthly living allowance for the full two-year award, return economy flights, a one-off arrival allowance, and a research grant for research-focused degrees, along with membership of the global Commonwealth Scholars alumni network. It supports a two-year, full-time, on-campus master’s.

Eligibility is for citizens of (or refugee-status holders in) a Commonwealth country who hold at least a completed UK 2:1 bachelor’s degree or equivalent, can study at postgraduate level in English, and are applying to a host ACU member university in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country other than their own (there is no upper age limit). You apply online through the ACU myACU portal during a cycle for a listed eligible course, and apply separately to the host university for admission. For students committed to change across the Commonwealth, QECS is a distinctive, fully funded opportunity.

• Citizen of (or refugee-status holder in) a Commonwealth country.
• Hold at least a completed UK 2:1 (Upper Second-Class Honours) or equivalent.
• Able to study at postgraduate level in English.
• Committed to creating change in your home community.
• Applying to a participating host ACU member university in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country (typically not your home country); no upper age limit.

• Full tuition and course-related fees waived.
• Monthly living allowance for the full two-year award.
• Return economy flights from home to host country.
• One-off arrival allowance.
• Research grant (for research-focused degrees, subject to approval).
• Membership in the global Commonwealth Scholars alumni network.

• Completed bachelor's degree (2:1 or equivalent).
• Academic transcripts and certificates.
• Proof of admission to an eligible host-university course.
• References.
• English proficiency where required.
• Passport copy.

• Confirm you are a citizen (or refugee-status holder) of a Commonwealth country with at least a completed 2:1 bachelor's, applying to a two-year, full-time, on-campus master's at a host ACU member university in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country other than your own.
• Apply online through the ACU myACU portal during a cycle (cycle 1 around November/December, cycle 2 around March/April) for a listed eligible course.
• Apply separately to the host university for admission to that course (confirm the current dates).