Unlike the standard UK Commonwealth Scholarship (which brings students to Britain), the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarship (QECS) funds Master's students to study in OTHER low or middle-income Commonwealth countries. For example, a Kenyan might go to study in Malaysia, or a Jamaican might go to South Africa.
Quick Overview
Full Requirements & Details
Academic Requirements
- Min. CGPA
- 3.0
- Offer Degrees
- Masters
- Subjects
- Agriculture, Arts, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, History, Law, Mathematics, Medicine, Physics, Psychology
- Seats Available
- Limited annually
- Study Gap Allowed
- No Restrictions (Gap Allowed)
- Research Publication
- Optional
- Work Experience
- No
- Age Range
- No Age Limit
Language Requirements
- IELTS
- Optional
- TOEFL
- Optional
- GRE
- Not Required
- Local Language
- English
- Local Lang Test
- No
- Study Languages
- English
Financial Details
- Type
- Full
- Fund Details
- See Description
- Monthly Stipend
- Varies 0/mo
- Tuition
- Full
- Living Costs
- Full
- Travel & Health
- Yes / No
- Application Fee
- Free (No Application Fee)
- Spouse Allowed
- No
What Matters Most
Required Documents
Why You Should Apply
It is a fully funded cultural and academic exchange. It covers your full tuition at the host university, a return flight, an arrival allowance, and a regular monthly living stipend. It is designed to foster 'South-South' cooperation.
Application Process
You apply directly via the ACU portal. You must check the specific list of hosting universities for that cycle (e.g., University of Rwanda, University of the South Pacific). You submit your academic transcripts and extensive essays detailing your academic and leadership goals.
How to Win This Scholarship
The selection is highly focused on 'creating impact in your home country.' You must clearly explain why studying in, say, Sri Lanka or South Africa gives you a unique perspective that studying in London would not. You must heavily align your essays with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Because you are essentially an academic diplomat, leadership experience in university clubs or local NGOs is critical.
Benefits After Completing Study
You gain an incredibly unique international network across the Global South.
The stipends are calculated based on the local cost of living in the host country, not a fixed global amount. While sufficient for basic needs, you will not be living a life of luxury. Furthermore, you cannot apply to study in your own home country or the UK.
Official Source
For complete details and to verify all requirements, please refer to the scholarship provider's official website.
Visit Official Source