Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships 2026/27: Fully Funded Master's in a Commonwealth Country
- Level
- Masters
- Funding
- Fully funded
If you want a fully funded master's degree and you're open to studying somewhere new within the Commonwealth, the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) are a genuinely special opportunity. Administered by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and supported by the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan endowment, they fund a two-year master's degree while building a lasting global network of changemakers.
Here is a clear guide to what the scholarship covers, who qualifies, when to apply, and how. There is one defining feature to understand first, because it makes QECS different from almost every other scholarship.
The key thing to understand
Unlike most scholarships, which send students to high-income countries, QECS is a South-South opportunity: you study in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country that is not your own. Importantly, you cannot use a QECS to study in the UK, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. You choose from the host universities and courses listed for the current cycle on the ACU website. Understanding this early helps you target the right course rather than being surprised later.
At a glance
- Administered by: Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
- Level: Two-year master's degree (full-time, on-campus only)
- Where: A low or middle-income Commonwealth country other than your own
- Funding: Fully funded (tuition, stipend, flights, arrival allowance, research grant)
- Eligibility: Commonwealth citizens with a 2:1 degree; no upper age limit
- Deadlines: Two cycles a year (around November/December and March/April)
What the scholarship covers
This one genuinely earns "fully funded." Each Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholar receives full tuition-fee coverage, a monthly living stipend, return economy flights to and from their home country, a one-off arrival allowance to help you settle in, and a research support grant on request (subject to approval). Together, this removes the main financial barriers to completing a full master's degree abroad.
Who can apply
- You are a citizen of a Commonwealth country, or hold refugee status in one
- You are applying to study in a different Commonwealth country (not your own)
- You hold an upper second class (2:1) honours degree or equivalent
- You are ready for full-time, on-campus study (part-time and distance learning are not eligible)
- You meet the specific entry requirements of your chosen university and course
There is no upper age limit, which makes QECS accessible to people at different stages of their careers.
How to apply
- Review the eligible countries and universities for the current cycle on the ACU website, and choose a listed course.
- Check the course entry requirements on the host university's own website.
- Create a myACU account and complete the QECS application for your chosen university and course.
- Apply separately to the university for admission to that course, and include your application ID where required (missing this step can invalidate your application).
- Submit before the cycle deadline, then await the outcome.
Deadlines
QECS runs two application cycles each year: cycle 1 typically opens around November or December, and cycle 2 around March or April. A recent cycle ran from 9 April to 3 June (15:00 UTC). Because these dates change each year, always confirm the current cycle's dates on the official ACU website before applying.
Apply and confirm the details
Read the full eligibility, the list of host universities, and application guidance, and apply, on the official ACU page: Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships, ACU.
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Disclaimer: FoundScholar is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Association of Commonwealth Universities. Details change each cycle, so always confirm on the official source before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships fully funded?
Yes. QECS covers full tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, return economy flights, a one-off arrival allowance, and a research support grant (on request and subject to approval), for a two-year master's degree.
Where can I study with a QECS?
This is the key point: you study a two-year master's at a host university in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country other than your own. You cannot use a QECS to study in the UK, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. Only universities and courses listed for the current cycle on the ACU website are eligible.
Who is eligible?
Citizens (or holders of refugee status) of a Commonwealth country, applying to study in a different Commonwealth country. You generally need an upper second class (2:1) honours degree or equivalent, and there is no upper age limit. Study must be full-time and on-campus (no part-time or distance learning).
When are the deadlines?
There are two application cycles each year: cycle 1 opens around November or December, and cycle 2 around March or April. A recent cycle ran from 9 April to 3 June. Confirm the current cycle's dates on the official ACU website.