King’s Commonwealth Undergraduate Fellowship Programme 2027 | Fully Funded

Applications are now open for the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) Undergraduate Fellowships 2027, a fully funded opportunity for eligible students from 24 Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The programme is managed by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and supports students who will begin an eligible undergraduate degree between January and December 2027. Fellows can study at approved universities in their home country or, where necessary, another approved university within their immediate region. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

The fellowship provides full tuition fees where these are not covered by the national government, a living-cost stipend, and one return flight to the fellow’s home island per year where travel to another island is required. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

King’s Commonwealth Undergraduate Fellowship 2027 – Summary

The official ACU page confirms that applications close on 14 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC+1. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

About the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme

The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme was created to support capacity building in Commonwealth Small Island Developing States. The undergraduate pathway focuses on developing skilled professionals who can contribute to essential services, climate resilience and sustainable development in their communities.

The 2027 undergraduate fellowships cover areas including:

• Education
• Engineering
• Health
• Sustainable Tourism

The programme is designed to allow students to study close to home while developing skills that can contribute to the long-term development of their countries and communities. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Benefits of the King’s Commonwealth Undergraduate Fellowship

Successful applicants can receive:

Full Tuition Fees

The fellowship covers full tuition fees for the standard duration of the selected programme, provided that the applicant’s national government does not already cover those fees. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Living Stipend

Fellows receive a stipend to help cover living expenses. The amount varies depending on whether the student studies in their home island or travels to another island for their programme. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Return Flight

If a fellow must travel to another island to complete their undergraduate degree, the fellowship covers one return economy flight per year between the fellow’s home island and host university location. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Professional and Alumni Support

The wider KCFP includes professional development opportunities and an alumni network intended to help fellows build careers that serve their communities. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Note: The official FAQ states that the fellowship covers tuition, the living allowance and the applicable annual return flight. It does not list accommodation as a separate benefit. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Eligible Countries

Applicants must be citizens of, or have recognised refugee status in, one of the following 24 Commonwealth Small Island Developing States:

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

The ACU confirms that there are 11 undergraduate fellowships in total, including four open to eligible applicants from all 24 SIDS and seven ring-fenced fellowships for applicants from Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the King’s Commonwealth Undergraduate Fellowship 2027, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Be a citizen of, or have recognised refugee status in, one of the 24 eligible Commonwealth SIDS.
2. Be due to begin an undergraduate programme between January and December 2027.
3. Not already hold a higher education qualification, including a bachelor’s degree or postgraduate qualification.
4. Select an undergraduate programme from the approved KCFP degree list.
5. Apply to an approved KCFP Host University available to applicants from their country.
6. Meet the admission requirements of the selected university and degree programme.
7. Study full-time.

The KCFP does not set one universal minimum GPA because academic entry requirements vary between host universities and programmes. Applicants must satisfy the requirements of their chosen institution and degree. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Do I Need to Demonstrate Financial Need?

Financial need is considered during assessment, but the official FAQ states that it is not a strict eligibility requirement. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Can Current University Students Apply?

No. Applicants must be due to commence undergraduate study between January and December 2027. Students who have already started an undergraduate degree before this period are not eligible for the undergraduate pathway. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Available Study Areas

The KCFP Undergraduate Fellowship supports eligible undergraduate studies in selected areas connected to national development and climate resilience.

These include:

• Education
• Engineering
• Health, excluding medical and medical technology degrees
• Sustainable Tourism, subject to the programme exclusions specified by the KCFP

Applicants must select a degree that appears on the official list of approved programmes for their eligible host university. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

KCFP Host Universities

Applicants cannot freely select any university. The KCFP has designated approved Host Universities and eligible degree programmes for applicants from particular countries.

For example, the current application guidance lists institutions and programmes according to the applicant’s eligible SIDS. The university and degree selected in the KCFP application must match the university admission application. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Applicants should therefore check the official KCFP application guidance before submitting either application.

KCFP Fellowship and University Admission Are Separate

One important point applicants should understand is that applying for the fellowship is not the same as applying for university admission.

The ACU states that applicants must submit a separate application for admission to their chosen Host University and programme.

You do not necessarily need to have a university offer before submitting the KCFP fellowship application, but the fellowship award is conditional on eventually obtaining admission to an eligible programme at an approved Host University. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Applicants should therefore:

1. Select an eligible university and degree.
2. Submit the KCFP fellowship application.
3. Submit the separate university admission application.
4. Ensure that the university and programme are the same in both applications.
5. Meet the university’s own admission deadline and requirements.

How to Apply for the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship 2027

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Confirm that you are a citizen of or recognised refugee in one of the 24 eligible Commonwealth SIDS and that you meet the other KCFP requirements.

Step 2: Check Eligible Universities and Courses

Review the official KCFP list of Host Universities and approved undergraduate programmes available to applicants from your country.

Step 3: Review University Requirements

Check the academic qualifications, English requirements and other admission conditions for your chosen degree.

Step 4: Prepare Your Documents

Prepare the supporting documents required for the fellowship and university admission applications. The exact requirements can vary by programme and institution.

Step 5: Apply for the Fellowship

Complete and submit the KCFP Undergraduate Fellowship application through the official ACU application system.

Step 6: Apply Separately to the University

Submit your admission application directly to the selected KCFP Host University. The university application and fellowship application are separate processes. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Step 7: Submit Before the Deadline

The KCFP Undergraduate Fellowship application closes on:

14 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC+1

Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Application Deadline

The King’s Commonwealth Undergraduate Fellowship 2027 deadline is 14 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC+1.

Applications opened on 14 September 2026. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Applicants should also remember that university admission deadlines may be different from the KCFP fellowship deadline. The ACU specifically advises applicants to comply with the deadlines of their selected Host University. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Important Tips Before Applying

Before submitting your application:

• Confirm that your country is on the official eligible-country list.
• Select only an approved KCFP undergraduate programme.
• Check that the selected programme is available to applicants from your country.
• Carefully review the university’s admission requirements.
• Apply separately for university admission.
• Make sure the university and programme match those in your KCFP application.
• Prepare your supporting documents early.
• Check the official application guidance and FAQs.
• Submit before 14 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC+1.

The ACU also advises applicants to ensure that their application is their own original work and that all information provided is accurate. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship fully funded?

The undergraduate fellowship provides full tuition fees where these are not covered by the national government, a living-cost stipend and an applicable annual return flight. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Can students from Ghana apply?

No. Ghana is not among the 24 Commonwealth SIDS eligible for the 2027 KCFP Undergraduate Fellowship.

Can I apply without a university admission offer?

Yes. The ACU says applicants do not need to have an offer when submitting the fellowship application. However, the fellowship is conditional on subsequently obtaining admission to an eligible programme at an approved Host University. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Can I apply if I already have a bachelor’s degree?

No. Applicants must not hold a higher education qualification, including a bachelor’s degree or postgraduate qualification. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Can I study outside my home country?

The programme expects fellows to study in their home country where an approved opportunity is available. If there is no suitable host university in the applicant’s home country, they may study at an approved Host University within their immediate region. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

What is the deadline?

The deadline is 14 October 2026 at 15:00 UTC+1. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Apply for the King’s Commonwealth Undergraduate Fellowship 2027

Eligible students should carefully review the official eligibility requirements, Host Universities, approved degree programmes and application guidance before applying.

Official application: King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme – Undergraduate Fellowships

Application deadline: 14 October 2026, 15:00 UTC+1

The ACU recommends reading the official application guidance and FAQs before starting the application. (Association of Commonwealth Universities)

Application forms 

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