If you are from a Small Island Developing State and dreaming of a UK university education, the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship 2027 could change everything. Administered by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), this prestigious undergraduate scholarship covers full tuition, provides a monthly living stipend, and pays for your annual return airfare, so all you need to bring is your ambition.
The programme is one of the few fully funded pathways specifically designed for students from 24 Small Island Developing States, nations that are often underrepresented in global higher education. If you qualify, you can apply now. The deadline is 14 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC+1.
Quick Facts
- Opportunity Type: Undergraduate Fellowship
- Programme: King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP)
- Host Organisation: Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
- Study Location: Eligible host universities in the applicant’s home country or immediate region
- Degree Level: Undergraduate
- Duration: Standard duration of the selected undergraduate programme
- Mode: Full-time, in-person
- Nationality: Citizens or recognised refugees from 24 eligible Commonwealth SIDS
- Age: No age limit
- Minimum Degree Required: No higher-education qualification; applicants must be commencing undergraduate study
- Work Experience: Not required
- Start Date: January–December 2027
- Application Deadline: 14 October 2026, 15:00 UTC+1
- Application Fee: No application fee
- Stipend / Financial Support: Living-cost stipend; amount varies according to study location
- Tuition: Full tuition fees, where not already covered by the applicant’s national government
- Travel Support: One return flight per year if the fellow must travel to another island to study
What Is the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship?
The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) is a scholarship initiative administered by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). It is designed to provide undergraduate education opportunities at UK universities to talented students from Small Island Developing States, a group of nations facing unique development challenges due to their small size, geographic isolation, and vulnerability to climate change.
By funding students from these 24 nations, the programme aims to build capacity, strengthen ties within the Commonwealth, and support the development of future leaders who will return with globally competitive skills to serve their communities. This is not just a scholarship — it is a long-term investment in people and nations that otherwise have limited access to quality higher education funding.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship 2027, you must be a citizen of one of the 24 designated Small Island Developing States in the Commonwealth. The programme targets students seeking to pursue undergraduate-level study at a UK university. You must meet the standard academic entry requirements for UK undergraduate admission, equivalent to A-level qualifications or your country’s equivalent pre-university credential.
Caribbean and Americas
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
Indian Ocean
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Seychelles
Pacific
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
What Do You Get?
The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship is a fully funded award that covers:
- Full tuition fees at a participating UK university
- Monthly living stipend to cover day-to-day costs in the UK (exact amount not specified by the host)
- Annual return airfare between your home country and the United Kingdom
This is a fully funded opportunity — you are not expected to self-fund your studies or travel. The application is free to submit.
What Will You Do?
As a King’s Commonwealth Fellow, you will pursue a full undergraduate degree at a UK university. Your specific course and university will depend on your academic interests, qualifications, and the partnerships available through the ACU network. You will immerse yourself in UK academic life, build international networks, and develop the knowledge and skills to become a leader in your field — with the expectation of bringing that expertise back to benefit your home country.
Fields and Areas
Which Universities Can You Study At?
Applicants cannot choose any university they want.
They must select an approved undergraduate programme at a KCFP Host University.
The current programme includes host universities such as:
- Fiji National University
- National University of Samoa
- Papua New Guinea University of Technology
- University of Belize
- University of Mauritius
- University of Technology, Mauritius
- University of the West Indies – Cave Hill
- Villa College in the Maldives
The available courses depend on the applicant’s country.
What Can You Study?
The approved undergraduate programmes cover areas such as:
- Education
- Engineering
- Health
- Environmental health
- Public health
- Nursing
- Mathematics education
- Mechanical engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Geomatics
- Town and country planning
- Occupational safety and health
- Travel and tourism management
How to Apply
Applications are submitted directly through the ACU online application form. Here is how to get started:
- Visit the official ACU application form linked below.
- Review the full eligibility criteria and programme details on the ACU King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme page.
- Complete all sections of the online application, academic history, personal statement, and supporting documents.
- Submit your application before 14 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC+1. Late submissions are not accepted.
There is no application fee. The entire process is online.
Important Deadline
Applications close on 14 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC+1. Gather your documents and start early, do not leave it to the last day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship 2027 open?
Yes. Applications opened on 14 September 2026 and close on 14 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC+1.
How many undergraduate fellowships are available?
There are 11 fellowships under the 2027 undergraduate pathway.
Is the fellowship fully funded?
Yes, the ACU describes the undergraduate fellowships as fully funded. They cover full tuition, a living stipend and one annual return flight where applicable. However, the official FAQ states that no other costs are covered.
Can Indian students apply?
No. India is not among the 24 eligible Commonwealth Small Island Developing States for this undergraduate pathway.
Can I apply if I already started university?
No. Applicants must be due to commence undergraduate study in 2027.
Can I apply if I already have a bachelor’s degree?
No. Applicants cannot already hold a higher-education qualification.
Is there an age limit?
The current KCFP Undergraduate FAQ does not state a specific age limit.
Do I have to study in my home country?
The programme expects applicants to study in their home country where an approved programme is available. If the relevant programme is not available there, study at an approved host university in the immediate region may be possible.
What is the application fee?
The official application guidance does not state an application fee.
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