Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) 2025/2026 [Updated]
Are you a student looking for an opportunity to study a two-year Master’s degree in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country? The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) 2025/26 (cycle 2) is now open for applications. This scholarship offers a life-changing experience to explore a new country, culture, and build a global network.
Summary:
- Scholarship Sponsor(s): Association of Commonwealth Universities
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Host Institution(s): Universities in Commonwealth countries
- Scholarship Worth: See Scholarship benefits (below)
- Number of Awards: Several
- Study Level: Postgraduate (Masters)
- Nationality: Commonwealth countries
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships 2025 | Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) 2025/2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Applicants must be citizens or those who hold refugee status in a Commonwealth country.
- Applicants must apply for a QECS award in a country other than their home country.
- Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree and have a 2:1 equivalent at the time of application.
- Applicants must demonstrate excellent research abilities.
Scholarship Benefits
- Fully-funded tuition fees
- Living allowance (stipend) for duration of award
- Return economy flights to the host country
- An arrival allowance
- (Research support grant – on request only; subject to approval)
Application Procedures
How-to-Apply: Interested applicants must review the list of countries and universities hosting scholarships in this cycle. They should then complete and submit a QECS application for their chosen university/course.
After submitting a QECS application, applicants can proceed to submit an application to their chosen university for admission to their chosen course.
Application Deadline: 24th May 2025
FAQs
What is the QECS, and what does it cover in the 2025/26 award?
The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships enable eligible applicants from Commonwealth countries to pursue a two‑year full‑time Master’s degree at participating universities in low‑ or middle‑income Commonwealth nations, explicitly excluding high‑income hosts such as the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The award provides fully‑funded tuition, a monthly living stipend, return economy airfare, a one‑off arrival allowance, and, if approved, a Research Support Grant to support academic work abroad.
Who is eligible to apply for QECS 2025/26?
Applicants must be citizens or legally recognized refugees of a Commonwealth country and must apply for an award in a country other than their country of citizenship or home residence. A minimum of an upper‑second-class (2:1) undergraduate degree or equivalent is required, and you must have completed your degree graduation at the time of application. There is no age limit. Final‑year undergrads, those already enrolled in a Master’s degree or seeking remote, part‑time, PhD, or already‑begun courses are not eligible.
When and how do I apply for QECS 2025/26?
QECS operates two annual application cycles: cycle 1 opens around November–December and cycle 2 begins around March–April, but the recommended deadline for the 2025/26 round appears to be June 4 2025. You begin by reviewing the list of host universities and eligible programs on the QECS site, then register a myACU account, complete the online application form with your supporting documents and three personal statements, and submit only one application per host university, though you may apply to different countries if you wish
What are the required personal statements and how should I approach them?
The application includes three critical statements. The first, Plan of Study, asks why you chose the course and host country, its alignment with your background and career goals. The second, Development Impact & Post-Study Outreach, explores a challenge in your community that your proposed study helps address, how you’ll apply your learning, and align it with UN Sustainable Development Goals. The third, Creating Networks, focuses on past experiences building professional networks and how you’ll expand them during the scholarship. Each statement has a specified word‑limit and must be submitted in your application before the deadline.
