The Association of Commonwealth Universities has announced the opening of applications for its fully funded 2026 Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships.
The programme offers students the opportunity to pursue a two-year master’s degree in select low and middle-income Commonwealth countries, with Nigeria among the eligible nations.
Applications for the current cycle opened on April 9, 2026, and are scheduled to close on June 3, 2026, at 15:00 UTC.
What the association is saying
The QECS programme is designed for students committed to driving change in their communities and building a global network that will last a lifetime.
- “Through cultural exchange and academic collaboration, Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholars help bring about positive change and find solutions to the shared challenges we face – both in their home countries and those that host them.
- “Each year, there are two opportunities to apply for QECS – cycle 1 opens in November/December and cycle 2 opens in March/April. You only need to submit one application, but you are welcome to apply more than once if there is another country you are interested in studying in,” they said
Successful applicants will study at accredited member universities across participating Commonwealth countries, gaining international exposure while building professional networks.
- The scholarship covers full tuition fees, a living allowance for the duration of the programme, return economy flights, and a one-off arrival allowance. Scholars may also receive a research support grant upon request, subject to approval.
More insights
- To apply, applicants are required to look through the list of countries and universities hosting scholarships in this cycle. Please note that only the courses listed are eligible for scholarship funding.
- You must have obtained a 2:1 to be able to apply for the scholarship.
- Visit the relevant university website for more information on your chosen course using the links included below.
- Complete and submit a QECS application for your chosen university/course by clicking the ‘Apply now’ button. Once you’ve clicked apply, you’ll be directed to a log in page. If you don’t already have a myACU account, please create a new account to get started.
- Submit an application to your chosen university for admission to your chosen course.
A key part of the process is the submission of three written statements, where candidates must outline their study plan, the impact they intend to make in their home country, and how they will build and use professional networks. These statements assess the applicant’s motivation, career goals, and ability to contribute to development challenges.
The scholarship also places strong emphasis on originality and impact, warning that plagiarised applications will be disqualified, while requiring candidates to align their proposed studies with relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Click here to apply
What you should know
The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships remain one of the key fully funded study opportunities within the Commonwealth, particularly for students from developing countries seeking international postgraduate education.
The Commonwealth is made up of 56 independent countries spread across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Pacific, including nations such as the United Kingdom, Canada, India, Australia, and Nigeria.
Other member countries include Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Pakistan, Malaysia, Jamaica, New Zealand, and Singapore, among many others across different regions.
