Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships 2027: Fully Funded Master’s in Commonwealth Countries
- Study in
- Commonwealth countries
- Levels
- Master's
- Funding
- Fully funded
- Covers
- Tuition, living allowance, return flights, arrival allowance
- Who can apply
- Commonwealth citizens with a 2:1 degree or equivalent, studying in another Commonwealth country
- Run by
- Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
On this page
The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) pay for a two-year master’s degree at a university in a low or middle income Commonwealth country. The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) runs the programme. Students from Commonwealth countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and India can apply to study in another Commonwealth country.
Status: Applications not open yet. The Association of Commonwealth Universities has published the 2027/28 cycle 1 dates: November 18, 2026 to January 13, 2027. The ACU calendar also lists cycle 2 for March 3 to April 27, 2027. Host universities and eligible courses must still be checked for the specific round. See the official ACU funding calendar.
What the scholarship covers
- Full tuition fees
- A living allowance for the length of the award
- Return economy flights to the host country
- A one-off arrival allowance
- A research support grant, if you request it and it is approved
Who can apply
- Citizens of a Commonwealth country
- Applicants with at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree or an equivalent result
- Applicants to one of the courses listed for a host university in the current round
You study at a host university in a Commonwealth country other than your own. Only the courses on the host list are funded, so check the list as soon as the round opens.
Key details
| Run by | Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) |
|---|---|
| Level | Two-year master’s degree |
| Where | Universities in low and middle income Commonwealth countries |
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Cycle 1 opens | November 18, 2026 (ACU calendar) |
| Cycle 1 deadline | January 13, 2027 (ACU calendar) |
| Cycle 2 | March 3 to April 27, 2027 (ACU calendar) |
How to apply
- When the round opens, check the list of host countries, universities and courses on the ACU page.
- Read the course page on your chosen university’s website.
- Create a myACU account and start the QECS application.
- Apply separately to the university for admission to the course.
- Submit both before the deadline.
Read the guidance on the official ACU scholarship page. The ACU says to use only the official ACU and Commonwealth Scholarship Commission websites, and it does not hold in-person screening events. Anyone who asks you to pay or attend a screening is not part of the programme.
Tips before you apply
- Have your final transcript and degree certificate ready before the round opens.
- Pick a course that links clearly to a problem you want to solve at home.
- Apply to the university early, since its admission process is separate.
Why the destination country matters
Unlike the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship for study in the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships support study in low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries. You must apply to study outside the country of which you are a citizen. For example, a Nigerian applicant cannot use this award to study in Nigeria, and a Ghanaian applicant cannot use it to study in Ghana. The available host universities and degree choices change by cycle.
How to prepare your QECS statements
The official ACU application guidance explains that candidates must write about their study plans, development impact and engagement with the Commonwealth. Your answers should connect a specific course and host university to a challenge you understand and a realistic plan to use the new skills.
- Study plan: identify relevant subjects, a real reason for choosing the university and how your previous experience prepares you.
- Development impact: explain a concrete issue in your community and the action you could take after studying.
- References: arrange the two supporting references listed in the official application guidance.
- Admissions: check whether the host university requires a separate application and any application fee.
QECS questions applicants often ask
Can I use the scholarship to study in the UK or Canada?
No. The QECS host countries are low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries, not higher-income destinations such as the UK or Canada.
Is there an age limit?
The ACU says there is no general age limit. Candidates still need to satisfy academic and host-university admission requirements.
Can I apply to more than one university?
The ACU allows applications for different host universities or countries, but only one application per host university in a cycle.
Read the official documents: QECS application guidance, ACU eligibility FAQs and the ACU calendar.
Related guides
- Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship 2027/28
- Chevening vs GREAT Scholarships in the UK
- Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships in Europe for Nigerian Students
Details are taken from the official ACU website, checked on October 15, 2026. Confirm the dates and host list there before you apply.
