About the Fellowship
The King's Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) is run by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). This FAQ guide is for applicants applying for a KCFP Undergraduate Fellowship using the MyACU portal. Please ensure to read carefully these FAQs before preparing your application.
A KCFP Host University is an ACU member university that has been approved and onboarded by the ACU to participate in the KCFP Undergraduate Pathway. Successful applicants will undertake their undergraduate studies at their selected Host University. The host universities currently available for applicants have been listed in the KCFP website and application guidance.
A KCFP Undergraduate Pathway application and admission to a Host University are two separate, independent processes.
-
Admission to a Host University means that the university has assessed your application and determined that you meet the academic and other requirements for entry to your chosen degree programme.
-
A KCFP Fellowship provides financial and programme support to enable successful applicants to undertake their studies at an approved Host University.
Yes. Applying for a KCFP Fellowship does not automatically make you eligible for admission to a university or degree programme. Applicants are responsible for submitting a separate application for admission to their chosen KCFP Host University and programme, following that university's admissions processes, requirements, and deadlines.
Applicants should ensure that they:
-
Meet the admission requirements of their chosen KCFP Host University and programme.
-
Submit any required university applications, supporting documents, and fees (where applicable) directly to the Host University.
-
Comply with all university deadlines, which may differ from the KCFP application deadline.
-
Hold, or be reasonably confident of obtaining, an offer of admission from their chosen KCFP Host University.
Given that the deadline for the KCFP Fellowship application will most likely be before the deadline for application to the KCFP Host University, you can apply to the Fellowship first and then apply to the KCFP Host University by the deadline set by the university.
Please note that being awarded a KCFP Fellowship is conditional upon obtaining admission to an eligible programme at an approved KCFP Host University. Failure to secure admission may result in the Fellowship being withdrawn or offered to another applicant.
No. Applicants do not need to hold an offer at the time of submitting their KCFP Fellowship application. However, applicants are encouraged to apply for admission to their chosen Host University as early as possible. A fellowship award remains conditional upon obtaining admission to an eligible programme.
The applications will close by 14 October at 15:00 UTC. We will not be accepting any applications after this closing date and time.
This will be determined at a later date. Please consult our funding opportunities page regularly as all updates will be posted there.
Due to the expected large number of applications, we are unable to provide any feedback on why your application has been unsuccessful.
Yes. To be eligible for the King's Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) Undergraduate Pathway, you must hold citizenship of, or recognised refugee status in, one of the 24 eligible Commonwealth SIDS.
Africa
Mauritius, Seychelles
Asia
The Maldives
Caribbean and Americas
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago
Pacific
Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu
Yes. Applicants must meet all the following criteria to be eligible for the KCFP Fellowship:
-
Hold citizenship of or have recognised refugee status in, one of the 24 eligible Commonwealth SIDS.
-
Due to commence undergraduate study between January and December 2027
-
Not hold a higher education qualification, including a bachelor’s degree or any postgraduate qualification.
-
Have selected an undergraduate programme from the approved degrees advertised for their chosen Host University on the KCFP website. Applications to programmes not included in the published list will not be considered.
A total of 11 Fellowships are available under the Undergraduate Pathway:
-
Four Fellowships are open to eligible applicants from all 24 Commonwealth SIDS.
-
Seven Fellowships are ringfenced for applicants who hold citizenship of, or recognised refugee status in the following SIDS:
-
Caribbean and the Americas: Dominica, Grenada
-
Pacific: Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu
Applicants from these seven countries may be considered for both the ringfenced Fellowships and the wider competition, provided they meet all eligibility requirements.
Those belonging to indigenous communities are especially encouraged to apply. However, this is not an eligibility criteria, meaning, those who do not belong to indigenous communities will also be eligible to apply.
The KCFP has three pathways:
-
PhD Pathway (launched in 2025),
-
Climate Resilience Fellowship Pathway for Mid-Career Professionals (launched in 2026)
-
Undergraduate Pathway (launching in 2027).
-
The seven ringfenced KCFP Undergraduate Fellowships have been introduced to ensure that countries not currently represented in the KCFP PhD and Climate Resilience Fellowship Pathways are also able to benefit from the programme. These countries are:
-
Dominica and Grenada in the Caribbean region
-
Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu in the Pacific region.
This approach supports the KCFP's objective of building capacity and strengthening climate resilience across a broad range of Commonwealth Small Island Developing States.
No. Eligible applicants from Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu may be considered for both the ringfenced Fellowships and the open Fellowships, subject to meeting all eligibility requirements.
No, there is no upper-age limit for KCFP.
We will be accepting applications for full-time degrees only.
No. To be eligible for the KCFP Undergraduate Pathway, applicants must be due to commence undergraduate study between January and December 2027. Applicants who have already started an undergraduate degree programme before this period are not eligible to apply.
Financial need will serve as an assessment criterion; however, it is not a strict prerequisite, ensuring that applications are not disqualified solely for the absence of demonstrated financial need.
No. Applicants must not hold a higher education qualification, including a Bachelor's degree or any postgraduate qualification, at the time of application. Please refer to the application guidance for the full eligibility criteria.
Yes, but only if that programme is eligible under the KCFP and is not offered in your home country. If your programme of interest is offered by a KCFP Host University in your home country, you are expected to apply to that. However, if your programme of interest is not available in your home country, you can apply to attend another campus in close proximity to your home island nation. Please consult the table provided in the application guidance.
No, this is not an eligibility criterion, meaning, those who are not from indigenous communities will also be eligible.
Yes, the fellowship will cover full tuition fees for the standard duration of your selected programme, provided your national government does not cover it.
Yes, you will receive a stipend to cover living expenses. However, the stipend amount will vary depending on where you are based. If you are based in your home island nation, your stipend will be less compared to those travelling to another island to study.
Yes. If you must travel to another island to undertake your undergraduate degree, the Fellowship will cover one return flight per year. Flights will be booked in economy class and via the most direct route available between the international airport closest to your home location and the international airport closest to your Host University.
The Fellowship only covers tuition fees, a living allowance (stipend), and one annual return flight between the fellow's home island and Host University where applicable. No other costs are covered.
The KCFP aims to strengthen climate resilience and skills capacity within Commonwealth SIDS. To support this objective, applicants must therefore undertake their studies at a KCFP approved Host University located in their home country. If there are no host universities in their home country, they can undertake studies in another KCFP approved Host University, located within their immediate region.
Please consult the table of approved Host Universities provided in the KCFP website and the application guidance.
For the purposes of the KCFP, a region refers to the broader geographic area in which an applicant's home SIDS is located. For example:
-
Applicants from Caribbean Commonwealth SIDS (such as Dominica and Grenada) would normally study at an eligible Host University in the Caribbean region.
-
Applicants from Pacific Commonwealth SIDS (such as Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu) would normally study at an eligible Host University in the Pacific region.
-
Applicants from Indian Ocean Commonwealth SIDS (such as Mauritius and Seychelles) would normally study at an eligible Host University available to applicants within that region.
Applicants must select an eligible programme at an approved Host University that is available to applicants from their country, as set out in the application portal and application guidance.
The KCFP provides opportunities for students to undertake undergraduate studies in:
-
Education
-
Engineering
-
Health (excluding medical and medical technology degrees);
-
Sustainable tourism (excluding tourism management degrees, and tourism and hospitality degrees which do not include modules on sustainability)
Please check the application guidance and website for the full list of eligible and available courses at eligible KCFP host universities.
Applicants must meet the academic entry requirements of their chosen Host University and eligible degree programme. As entry requirements vary between universities and programmes, the KCFP does not set a single minimum academic threshold that applies to all applicants.
Admission requirements for each of the courses offered by KCFP host universities for the Fellowship have been listed in the application guidance. Any additional questions relating to qualification requirements, academic eligibility, or transcript equivalencies should be directed to the KCFP Host University, as it is best placed to provide information on these matters.
No. Admission decisions are made solely by host universities.
No. Once an application has been submitted, changes cannot be made. Applicants should ensure they have carefully reviewed their Host University and course selections before submission.
Yes. Applicants may submit applications for more than one eligible undergraduate programme, provided that each application meets the Fellowship's eligibility requirements.
When submitting multiple applications, applicants should ensure that:
-
Each application is for an approved programme offered by an approved Host University listed in the application guidance.
-
The Host University is available to applicants from their country, as set out in the application portal and application guidance.
Applicants should carefully review the application guidance and the list of eligible host universities and programmes before submitting their application(s).
A KCFP Fellowship award is conditional upon the applicant securing admission to an eligible programme at an approved Host University. If admission is not secured, the Fellowship cannot be awarded.
Applicants are responsible for submitting a separate application for admission to their chosen Host University and approved undergraduate programme as listed in the application guidance.
No. Fellowship awards cannot be deferred. If a successful applicant is unable to take up their Fellowship or commence their studies as planned, the Fellowship offer will be withdrawn. Applicants should therefore ensure they are able to begin their studies during the relevant intake period before accepting a Fellowship offer.
Yes. Successful Fellows are required to remain in their home country or region for a minimum of three years immediately following completion of their degree programme. This is a mandatory condition of the Fellowship.
No. It is not possible to make any amendments, such as uploading any further documentation once your application has been submitted. Therefore, it is extremely important that you check your application before it is submitted.
If the direct link does not take you to the application form, please use https://crm.acu.ac.uk/user/login to access the MyACU portal. Once you log in you will be able to access the application form through the link in the 'KCFP Undergraduate applications open' announcement.
Supporting documents should be uploaded as part of the application process. All required documents must be uploaded before you submit your application, as incomplete applications will not be considered.
No. Applications must be submitted online through Online Application System. This system will be used throughout the selection process.
You will need click on the “Forgot password?” link. This will send an email to reset your password, to the email address that you used for your application. Please check your junk/spam mail to ensure that the email has not been sent there.
Yes, you can submit your application without a valid passport. Instead, you can provide your National ID or current invalid passport within the application form. However, if you are selected for an award you will need to ensure that a copy of your passport is valid for enabling you to travel if you are selected for a programme outside your island nation.
Your application must be written in English throughout, and any supporting documentation that you submit (i.e. academic transcript, degree certificate, recommendation letters) must also be in English.
Whoever provides your recommendation should address their letter as “Dear Sir or Madam”:
Kings Commonwealth Fellowship Programme
The Association of Commonwealth Universities
London
United Kingdom
Recommendation letters should:
-
Be written on official headed paper (where possible)
-
Be signed and dated by the referee.
-
Include the referee's name, position, organisation, and contact details.
-
Comment on the applicant's academic potential, motivation for study, relevant experience, personal strengths, and overall suitability for the KCFP UG pathway.
-
Explain the applicant's potential to benefit from the proposed course of study and become a future leader contributing to sustainable development, climate resilience, and long-term positive change in their community or country after graduation.
Please do not send hard copies. Instead, upload a digital copy of your recommendation letters to the application form when prompted. Only PDF, JPG, and PNG file types are accepted.