Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships 2025/2026: Fully Funded Master’s Degrees for Global Change-Makers
The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) offer a fully funded opportunity for students from Commonwealth nations to pursue a two-year Master’s degree at an ACU member university in a low- or middle-income country.
These prestigious awards target young leaders committed to driving positive change in their communities—providing them with international exposure, academic excellence, and a lifelong global network.
Application Timeline
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Applications Open: 24 November 2025
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Applications Close: 14 January 2026, 15:00 UTC
Each year, QECS runs two application cycles:
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Cycle 1: November/December
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Cycle 2: March/April
You only need to submit one application per cycle, and you may apply again in another cycle if you are interested in a different country.
Overview of the Scholarship
The QECS is designed to support talented students through international study and cultural exchange. Scholars join a global network of peers and leaders committed to addressing shared challenges across Commonwealth countries.
Scholarship Benefits
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Fully funded tuition fees
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Living allowance (stipend) for the duration of the award
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Return economy airfare to the host country
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One-off arrival allowance
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Research Support Grant (available upon request)
General Eligibility
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Minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree
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Must apply for an eligible programme offered in a participating university
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Must meet university-specific admission criteria
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Open to citizens of Commonwealth countries
How to Apply
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Review the list of eligible countries, universities, and programmes for this cycle.
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Confirm that your selected programme is eligible for QECS funding.
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Visit the university’s website for programme details.
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Submit your QECS application through the official portal (requires creating a myACU account).
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Submit a separate application for admission directly to the chosen university.
Participating Countries and Eligible Programmes (2025/26 Cycle)
All applicants must have achieved a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree.
Antigua & Barbuda
The University of the West Indies – Five Islands campus
Scholarship eligibility: All applicants must have obtained a 2:1 to be eligible for this scholarship.
Programme
Course admission requirements
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- Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a university or college acceptable to the University of the West Indies with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and must have passed introduction to macroeconomics and financial management 1 or an equivalent finance course. Applicants should have a good grounding in quantitative subjects.
- Mature Matriculation: Applications from non-degreed applicants, making up no more than 15 percent of each cohort, will be considered for persons with at least ten years experience in banking and finance and the following criteria: technical certificates or diplomas that can be assessed by the University of the West Indies.
Bangladesh
BRAC University
Scholarship eligibility: All applicants must have obtained a 2:1 to be eligible for this scholarship.
Programmes
Course admission requirements
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- A four-year or three-year Bachelor’s degree with a one-year Master’s degree or Postgraduate diploma in Health Sciences (Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery, including Allied Health Sciences), Life Sciences, and Social Sciences (Anthropology, Public Health, Food and Nutrition, Sociology, Psychology or any other discipline).
- Minimum CGPA 2.5 out of 4.0 for Bachelor’s degree.
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 in O-Levels/equivalent in five subjects and A-Levels/equivalent in two subjects according to the scale (A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2 & E=1).
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 in SSC/equivalent and HSC/equivalent separately (including additional subject).
- Proficiency in English and Mathematics is required.
- Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office.
- Two to three years of professional public health experience is preferred.
- For national & international applicants, all submitted documents (both sides) should be scanned.
Course admission requirements
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- Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a government recognised university with at least a second class or CGPA of 2.5 on a 4.0-point scale.
- A minimum CGPA of 2.5 on a 5.0-point scale or second division in SSC/equivalent and HSC/equivalent, separately.
- A minimum CGPA of 2.5 in O-Levels in five subjects and A-Levels in two subjects on a 5.0-point scale; only one E is acceptable.
Course admission requirements
Minimum Academic Qualifications:
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- SSC/equivalent and HSC/equivalent: Minimum GPA 2.5 or second class/division in both examinations separately.
- O-Level and A-Level: Minimum GPA 2.5 in each (O-Level with five subjects and A-Level with two subjects) as per the following scale: A = 5, B = 4, C = 3, D = 2, E = 1 (only one ‘E’ is acceptable).
- Bachelor’s degree: Minimum of 15 years of education (from any government authorised university) with at least second class/division or CGPA 2.5 out of 4.0 (or equivalent).
- IB Diploma Programme (IB-DP): Candidates who have completed the IB-DP with a minimum score of 24 are eligible to apply.
Note:
Foundation and GED programmes do not qualify for admission.
Course admission requirements
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- Secondary/equivalent and higher secondary/equivalent with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or second class/division in both levels separately.
- O-level with five subjects and A-level with two subjects: Scale of A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 [Only one E is acceptable], with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in each level separately.
- BSc honours degree: 16 years of education in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Botany, Zoology, Fisheries, Agriculture, or any relevant subject, or an MBBS degree from a government authorised university. Minimum CGPA of 2.5 out of 4.0 or equivalent second class/division.
Barbados
The University of the West Indies – Cave Hill campus
Scholarship eligibility: All applicants must have obtained a 2:1 to be eligible for this scholarship.
Programme
Course admission requirements
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- Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in any of the Health Sciences, Biological Sciences, Management Sciences, or relevant professional qualifications at the graduate or postgraduate level. Applicants may be required to participate in an interview. It should be noted that Grade 1 or 2 in O-Level Mathematics (or equivalent) is a pre-requisite for the Epidemiology and Biostatistics courses.
- Candidates must have their own laptop computers and possess good computing skills. Mathematics, English, and computing skills may be assessed prior to entry into the programme.
- A current CV, two referee reports, academic transcript, and letter of intent should accompany the application.
Eswatini
University of Eswatini
Scholarship eligibility: All applicants must have obtained a 2:1 to be eligible for this scholarship.
Programmes
Course admission requirements
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- Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or Agriculture related field, or a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Extension from a recognised university.
Course admission requirements
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- Bachelor’s degree with a major in Biology or equivalent qualification from a recognised university.
Course admission requirements
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- Bachelor’s degree in Economics, or Agricultural Economics, or equivalent qualification from a recognised university.
Course admission requirements
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering specialisation, Livestock and Environment specialisation, Environmental Crop Production:
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- Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or Agriculture related field, or equivalent qualification from a recognised university.
Water Resources Specialisation:
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- Bachelor’s degree with a major in Geography, Environmental Science and Planning or equivalent qualification from a recognised university.
Environmental Chemistry and Management specialisation:
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- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or equivalent qualification from a recognised university.
Course admission requirements
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- Bachelor’s degree with Mathematics as a major, or equivalent qualification from a recognised university.
Jamaica
The University of the West Indies – Mona campus
Scholarship eligibility: All applicants must have obtained a 2:1 to be eligible for this scholarship.
Programme
Course admission requirements
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- Hold an approved graduate degree awarded primarily for research.
- Hold a taught Master’s degree from the UWI or another approved University, provided that the Master’s programme included a research component of at least 25% of the total credit rating and the applicant achieved at least a B+ average or its equivalent.
- Applicants registered in MPhil degree programmes of the UWI who have met the requirements for upgrading their registration, as stipulated by the Board for Graduate Studies and Research.
- Applicants possessing other qualifications and experience as the Board for Graduate Studies and Research may approve.
Kenya
The Technical University of Kenya
Scholarship eligibility: All applicants must have obtained a 2:1 to be eligible for this scholarship.
Programmes
Course admission requirements
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- At least a second class honours (upper division) degree or its equivalent from a university recognised by the Senate of TU-K.
- Second class honours (lower division) degree or its equivalent in the relevant discipline with a postgraduate diploma/certificate and one year of relevant work experience in the following areas:
i. Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering Technology.
ii. Bachelor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering Technology.
iii. BSc/B.Eng in Mechanical Engineering or its equivalent.
Course admission requirements
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- A second class honours (upper division) degree of TU-K in the relevant field or equivalent from a university recognised by the senate of TU-K.
- A second class honours (lower division) degree of TU-K or equivalent from a university recognised by the senate of TU-K, with either at least two years of relevant experience or postgraduate diploma with one year of relevant work experience.
Course admission requirements
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- A second class honours (upper division) degree of TU-K in the relevant field or equivalent from a university recognised by the senate of TU-K.
- A second class honours (lower division) degree of TU-K or equivalent from a university recognised by the senate of TU-K, with either at least two years of relevant experience or postgraduate diploma with one year of relevant work experience.
Course admission requirements
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- A second class honours (upper division) degree of TU-K in the relevant field or equivalent from a university recognised by the senate of TU-K.
- A second class honours (lower division) degree of TU-K or equivalent from a university recognised by the senate of TU-K, with either at least two years of relevant experience or postgraduate diploma with one year of relevant work experience.
Course admission requirements
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- The applicants must be graduates of the Technical University of Kenya or any other institution recognised by the Senate with at least a second class honours (upper division) in Bachelor of Technology in Design, Interactive Media, Computer Science, Information Technology, or any other related field of study approved by Senate; or
- Applicant with at least a second class honours (lower division) degree in any of the disciplines specified above must have either a postgraduate certificate in the relevant field and one year of relevant work experience or at least two years of relevant work experience; or
- Applicant with second class honours (lower division) in Bachelor of Technology in Interactive Media, Computer Science, Information Technology, or any other related field of study approved by Senate with a postgraduate diploma in relevant field of Design and Information Technology.
Mauritius
University of Mauritius
Scholarship eligibility: All applicants must have obtained a 2:1 to be eligible for this scholarship.
Programme
Course admission requirements
Successful completion of an undergraduate degree
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- with at least a second class or 50%, whichever is applicable; or
- a GPA not less than 2.5 out of 4 or equivalent, from a recognised higher education institution; or alternative qualifications acceptable to the University of Mauritius, which includes:
- Medically qualified applicants: MBBS, MBChB or equivalent.
- Non-medically qualified applicants: An upper second class degree/equivalent or a BDS degree and two years of experience in public health, health promotion, health administration, occupational and environmental health experience, clinical research, or other health-related fields; or alternative qualifications acceptable to the University of Mauritius.
- Suitable candidates should have a strong academic record with adequate quantitative skills and a background in medicine, health sciences, biological sciences or environmental sciences.
Sri Lanka
University of Kelaniya
Scholarship eligibility: All applicants must have obtained a 2:1 to be eligible for this scholarship.
Programmes
Course admission requirements
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- Four-year bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Management, Science, Engineering or Economics.
- Bachelor’s degree, irrespective of the field of study, and at least one year of managerial, executive, or teaching experience in a recognised institution.
- Professional or any other qualification approved by the Senate of the University of Kelaniya.
Course admission requirements
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- Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from a recognised university.
- Bachelor’s degree in any other discipline with working experience in a managerial or executive capacity.
- Postgraduate diploma or full professional qualification from a recognised university or professional body with working experience in a managerial or executive capacity acceptable to the University of Kelaniya Senate.
- Any other qualifications approved by the Senate of the University of Kelaniya.
Course admission requirements
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- A BSc degree in Biological Science; or
- Physical Science with Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biology, Botany, Zoology, Plant Science, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or Chemistry as subjects; or
- Equivalent qualifications at SLQF Level 5 or 6 (or international equivalent) with Biology and Chemistry components acceptable to the University of Kelaniya Senate.
Course admission requirements
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- A medical degree or dental degree recognized by the Sri Lanka Medical Council.
- An honours/special degree in the field of Statistics, Science, Technology, Economics, or any other relevant discipline.
- Any other equivalent qualification accepted by the Senate of the University of Kelaniya.
Course admission requirements
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- A Bachelor’s degree, including 30 credits in the relevant subject area; or with prior learning/work experience not less than 2 years in the relevant field.
- Completion of NVQ level 7, as determined by the Senate.
- Any other qualification which is equivalent to the above.
- Associate member of the following institutes and three years’ work experience in a managerial or executive capacity at an organisation acceptable to the institute:
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) (UK), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) (UK), Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA), Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) (UK), Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing, Sri Lanka (SLIM), Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka (IBSL), Institute of Chemistry (IChemC), Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka, Institute of Engineering and Technology (UK), Institute of Management Accountants of Sri Lanka (CMA).
- Professional qualification/ Certified Qualification in Human Resource Management (PQHRM/CQHRM) offered by the Institute of Personnel Management (IPM), Sri Lanka and three years executive experience.
- Higher National Diploma in Accountancy (four years) and three years of executive experience.
- National Diploma in Technology (NDT) from Moratuwa University and three years of executive experience.
- Attorney-at-law – Sri Lanka College.
- Professional Graduate Diploma (PGD) – British Computer Society.
- Graduate Member/Fellow Member/Associate Member – Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Sri Lanka.
- Any other professional qualification and three years’ experience approved by the Senate of the University of Kelaniya.
Trinidad & Tobago
The University of the West Indies – St. Augustine campus
Scholarship eligibility: All applicants must have obtained a 2:1 to be eligible for this scholarship.
Programme
Course admission requirements
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- A minimum GPA of 2.5, a lower second class honours degree, or its equivalent in Computer Science, Statistics or a related field, unless the Campus Committee for Graduate Studies and Research in any particular case otherwise decides.
- The applicant should also have a basic knowledge of the following areas:
(a) Computer programming
(b) Introductory statistics
(c) Introductory linear algebra.
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- Candidates without the above background who have at least an upper second class honours degree from UWI, or its equivalent, or significant work experience in the area, are still encouraged to apply. They will be considered for entry upon successful completion of qualifying courses. The programme coordinator will choose qualifying courses for each candidate based on their academic and work backgrounds.
Uganda
Makerere University
Scholarship eligibility: All applicants must have obtained a 2:1 to be eligible for this scholarship.
Programmes
Course admission requirements
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- The general regulations for Makerere University and specifically of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences shall apply.
- Applicants should possess at least a second class upper Bachelor’s degree in any of the following biological fields: Agriculture, Horticulture, Seed Science and Technology, and Forestry or the equivalent from a recognised University.
Course admission requirements
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- A BSc degree in Civil Engineering with at least an upper second class, or its equivalent awarded by Makerere University, or any other recognised institution (accredited by NCHE).
- A lower second class BSc degree in Civil Engineering or its equivalent from a recognised institution with evidence of academic growth and maturity in this field of study as judged by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Course admission requirements
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- A first degree with lower second class honours or its equivalent from a recognised University in a relevant field of study (including environmental management, environmental science, geography, meteorology, agriculture, physics, botany, zoology, mathematics, statistics, economics and business, forestry, veterinary medicine, public health, planning, engineering, social sciences, anthropology, development studies, education, engineering, human rights, security and law).
Course admission requirements
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- Candidates must satisfy the general minimum MSc entry requirements of Makerere University which are clearly stated in the University prospectus.
- Applicants should possess at least a second class Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Natural Sciences, and related fields from a chartered university/institution.
Course admission requirements
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- The candidate must hold a minimum of lower second class Bachelor’s degree in any of the following fields: Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Chemical, Electromechanical, and Environmental Engineering; or
- Bachelor of Science in any of the three subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from a recognised university.
Additional Information
The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships are made possible through the generous support of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) Endowment Fund. Scholars are part of a global network helping to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges through academic collaboration and community engagement.
Apply today and become part of the Commonwealth’s next generation of leaders.
Application link https://www.acu.ac.uk/funding-opportunities/for-students/scholarships/queen-elizabeth-commonwealth-scholarships/?utm_content=buffer0938d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin.com&utm_campaign=buffer
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