StudyDesk Scholarships
About the scholarship
The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS), administered by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), offer a unique opportunity: a fully funded two-year master’s degree at an ACU member university in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country other than your own. Aimed at students committed to creating change in their communities, the scholarship builds cultural exchange, academic collaboration and a global network that lasts a lifetime. Each year there are two application cycles — cycle 1 opens in November/December and cycle 2 in March/April.
Eligibility
- Citizen of a Commonwealth country (or hold recognised refugee status in one).
- Hold a bachelor’s degree at minimum 2:1 level or equivalent.
- Will study in a different Commonwealth country from your own — you cannot hold a QECS award in your home country.
- Meet the host university’s admission requirements for your chosen course (only the courses listed for the cycle are eligible for funding).
- No upper age limit.
Benefits
- 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.
Documents required
- QECS online application — create a myACU account and complete the application for your chosen university/course.
- Separate university application for admission to the same course.
- Degree certificate and transcripts (proof of 2:1 or equivalent).
- References and personal statements as set out in the cycle’s application guidance.
Read the ACU’s application guidance and FAQs pages before starting your application.
How to apply
- Wait for Cycle 1 to open on 18 November 2026The host list of countries, universities and eligible courses is published with the cycle.
- Choose your coursePick a listed course at a host university in a different Commonwealth country — visit the university’s website for course details.
- Apply to the university for admissionA separate admission application is required.
- Submit your QECS applicationCreate a myACU account (if you don’t have one) and submit before 13 January 2027.
- You may apply in more than one cycleOnly one application per cycle — but you can try again in cycle 2 (March/April 2027) for a different country.
FAQs
English requirements are set by each host university and course — check the university’s page for your chosen course. The scholarship itself does not set a single English-test rule.
No — QECS funds study in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country different from your own.
No upper age limit.
You only need to submit one application per cycle, but you may apply again in a later cycle for a different country.
ACU runs cycle 2 in March/April each year — expect March/April 2027 for the 2027-28 cycle 2.
Verified 19 Oct 2026 on the official ACU QECS page (acu.ac.uk): two application cycles a year (cycle 1 opens Nov/Dec, cycle 2 Mar/Apr), two-year master’s in a low/middle-income Commonwealth country, full tuition + living stipend + return economy flights + arrival allowance + research support grant on request, myACU application + separate university admission. The 2027-28 Cycle 1 dates (18 Nov 2026 - 13 Jan 2027), the 2:1 degree requirement, the no-home-country rule, no age limit and the UK FCDO funding line are from the ACU funding opportunities calendar as reported by independent trackers — confirm the host list when the cycle opens.
