The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) offer a life-changing opportunity for cultural exchange and academic collaboration in another country, to broaden horizons, experience different cultures, and to build a global network. With tuition, living, travel and research costs covered, QECS offers the chance for talented individuals to further their knowledge and gain skills that can make a difference back in their home country.
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Eligibility
To be eligible for the QECS 2026/2027 round, you need to:
• Be a citizen of — or hold refugee status in — a Commonwealth country.
• Have completed an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard, or equivalent.
• Be traveling outside the country of their citizenship or refugee status to study.
• Satisfy any other admission requirements they are notified of by their chosen host university.
Note:
Final-year undergraduates are not eligible; the degree should be received before applying. Refugees should be applying under the country recognizing them as refugees. Some institutions have a requirement of being fluent in English.
Benefits
Selected fellows receive support all two years of their Master’s program with:
• Full tuition fee at host university
• Monthly stipend to cover accommodation, meals and other personal expenses
• Economy-class return air travel between country of residence and site of the host institution
• One-off arrival allowance to assist with relocation costs
• Fieldwork and project grant (pending approval)
How to Apply
• Please see the list of participating countries, universities and courses in the Master’s program for 2026/2027 below.
• Make sure you satisfy the academic and/or language requirements for your selected course prior to applying.
• Be admitted provisionally at the host University.
• Visit the official QECS application site (Association of Commonwealth Universities) and fill out an online form.
• Give honest information on your profile, about yourself, your academic background and the courses you desire.
• All required documents should be uploaded and submitted on time.
Application Statements
Applicants are required to submit 3 short essays (approximately 500 words each) on the following:
• Programme of study
Why you have selected your chosen course, the host country, and your home university; how this study programme fits with your academic background; extracurricular activities or interests (e.g. hobbies, travel) that prepare you for success on your course.
• Development Impact
A local or national challenge you hope to discuss or address through the programme and how the Master’s qualification would enable you to do this, including evidence of what that brings you over your current experience.
• Networking
Your (professional and personal) networks you currently have, which successes or experience you have harvested from these networks already and plans to expand your international relations network as part of your studies.
Required Documents
Prepare clear, official copies of:
• Evidence of citizenship or refugee status (e.g. passport, national ID)
• Academic transcript and degree certificate that demonstrates an upper second class 2:1 (or equivalent) undergraduate result
• Two academic or professional letter of reference
• Proof of enrollment or application to the Master’s programme selected
• Your three scholarship statements
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Deadline
Applications must be received by 14 January 2026 at 15:00 UTC.
Applications received after the deadline or that are incomplete will not receive consideration. It is highly recommended that you begin drafting your statements, writing references and making applications to universities in good time.
Apply Now
For complete guidelines on how to apply, please visit the termly QECS page at: https://www.acu.ac.uk/funding-opportunities/for-students/scholarships/queen-elizabeth-commonwealth-scholarships
Queens Commonwealth Scholarships 2026/27: Accelerate your potential as a leader for the future and join the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarship.
