Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS)
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan
Fully funded two-year Master's scholarships at ACU member universities in low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries, for Commonwealth citizens studying outside their own country. Ghanaians eligible (hosts outside Ghana). Two cycles a year; next expected from Nov/Dec 2026.
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Eligibility
- Who can apply
- Commonwealth
- Education required
- Bachelors completed
- Fields
- Any field of study
- Language
- Depends on the host university's admission requirements; some require an English language test
- Residency
- Citizens of Commonwealth countries (refugees apply as citizens of the country granting refugee status); you cannot apply for an award in your own country of citizenship, nor at a university with a campus in your country
- Also required
- Minimum of a 2:1 (or equivalent) undergraduate degree, already completed and graduated at the time of application
- Apply only to host universities and courses listed on the ACU QECS page for the current cycle (low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries only)
- Master's degrees only (max two years), new students only, full-time and on campus; no distance learning
- Submit a separate application for admission to the chosen university (university application fees are not paid by QECS)
- One application per host university; multiple applications allowed only for different host countries/universities
- Application and all supporting documents must be in English
About this opportunity
Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships let Commonwealth citizens study a full-time, on-campus Master's degree of up to two years at an ACU member university in another low- or middle-income Commonwealth country (never in high-income countries such as the UK, Canada or Australia). The scheme targets students committed to creating change in their communities and builds South-South academic links.
Applicants must be citizens of (or refugees in) a Commonwealth country and apply to a host outside their own country - the ACU FAQ states a Ghanaian citizen cannot apply in Ghana but can apply in any other country offering awards. A completed 2:1 (or equivalent) degree is required; no age limit; English requirements depend on the host. The award covers tuition, a living allowance, return flights, an arrival allowance and an optional research grant. Apply via myACU with two references.
- Level
- Master's
- Where
- Multiple countries
- Duration
- Up to 2 years (full-time, on campus)
- Difficulty
- High · about 6 weeks to prepare
Funding
Fully funded
- tuition
- stipend
- travel
- research costs
Fully funded tuition fees; living allowance (stipend) for the duration of the award (covers the scholar only, not dependants; accommodation paid from the stipend); return economy flights to the host country; one-off arrival allowance; research support grant on request, subject to approval.
What you will need
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificate
- Reference letters (2)
- Passport or national ID
- Personal statement
Online myACU application with statements (per the form), final transcript and degree certificate, two reference letters uploaded as PDF/JPG/PNG (one academic reference advised; professional referees acceptable), and a valid passport or national ID (an expired passport/national ID is accepted at application). All documents must be in English. No extensions to the deadline.
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