For the lives we can lead

The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) is an international organisation dedicated to building a better world through higher education.

Become a member
University summer school students clap and cheer in a classroom

Read The ACU Review | Sport for peace

How can sport be used as an instrument of peace, unity and reconciliation across the Commonwealth, and beyond?

Read the latest issue
A painting of two young women athletes embracing after a match, by Teni Abodunrin

ACU at CHOGM 2022

The ACU attended CHOGM where we advocated for higher education as a key player in sustainable development

Find out more
1 (1)

Partnership with the Commonwealth Games Federation

The ACU has signed an MoU to further collaboration around higher education and sport in the Commonwealth

Read more
Runners feet as they begin a sprint race

HR in HE Community Challenge Grants

Apply for a grant to support a diverse range of virtual or in-person projects, workshops, or events.

Find out more about our HR in HE grants
Two Professional Women At A Table Smiling At Each Other

Membership

The ACU has over 500 member universities in 50 countries across the Commonwealth. 66% of our members are in low and middle income countries, and 5% are in small states.

Our network covers over 10 million students and more than 1 million academic and professional staff.

Become a member
University summer school students clap and cheer in a classroom

Higher education and the SDGs

Universities are the key to healthier, greener, fairer societies. None of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be achieved without the contribution of higher education – through research, teaching, and community engagement. Find out how we're building a better world through higher education.

Flags of the world against a blue sky

Global challenges

Through vital research and inspirational teaching, universities are already helping to build a world that is happier, healthier and more sustainable for all.

Three female university summer school students hold up a phone and pose for a selfie

International collaboration

International collaboration in higher education leads to breakthroughs in knowledge, the free exchange of ideas, and enduring bonds between institutions and nations. But it begins with connections between people.

Four women smile and hold an orange poster with the title gender equality

Access and inclusion

Tackling socioeconomic disparities, and levelling the playing field, calls for equality of opportunity – to learn, to lead, to progress, and to thrive.

Three men in a plantation in Malaysia lean in to hold a coconut that has been broken in half

Supporting research

University research changes lives for the better. It informs and enables evidence-based policy making, yields advances in science and medicine, and finds solutions to global challenges.

20 university students from across the Commonwealth smile and cheer together for a group photo in a park

Strengthening universities

Strong universities are a cornerstone of strong societies, and make a vital contribution to the social, economic and cultural development of every nation. 

View point

The Internationalist podcast
A silver recording microphone in front of an abstract yellow, orange and blue picture Listen now
A silver recording microphone in front of an abstract yellow, orange and blue picture
The Internationalist is a podcast from the ACU. In each episode, academics, students and practitioners from across the Commonwealth take on the current debates in higher education.
The ACU Review magazine
An illustration of flowers, beetles, butterflies and shells The ACU Review
An illustration of flowers, beetles, butterflies and shells
Each issue of The ACU Review explores a theme that highlights the value of higher education to society, and reflects the rich diversity and shared challenges that characterise our global network.

Events

Events

View all events

Latest from the ACU

View all news articles