Applications are now open for the prestigious King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP), a fully funded undergraduate fellowship initiative managed by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).
Villa College has been selected as the official host institution in the Maldives for this fellowship, which is designed for Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Launched at the initiative of His Majesty King Charles III, the purpose of the program is to enhance the capacity of SIDS to address their development challenges, with a particular focus on climate change resilience.
This opportunity will equip young people with the knowledge and skills necessary to build sustainable, climate-ready communities. Successful applicants, designated as "King’s Fellows," will join an international academic network and be groomed as future leaders dedicated to community service.
Among higher education institutions in the Maldives, Villa College holds the exclusive honor of being the official host institution for the undergraduate pathway of this fellowship.
Villa College was the first private higher education institution in the Maldives to become a full member of the ACU, a status it has held since 2013. Its strong ties with the Commonwealth university network and its commitment to educational excellence were key factors in its selection as a host for this prestigious international program.
Under this fellowship, opportunities are available to pursue undergraduate degrees at Villa College in five key areas, including:
- Health Sciences: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Education: Bachelor of Teaching in Primary and Special Educational Needs
- Engineering
In addition to full tuition coverage for the duration of the course, successful fellows will receive a living stipend. For students required to relocate to another island or country for their studies, travel expenses—including one return air ticket per year—will also be provided.
A total of 11 fellowships will be awarded under the program. Seven of these are reserved for small and remote nations, namely Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu. Students from 24 other Commonwealth SIDS, including the Maldives, are eligible to compete for the remaining positions.
Commenting on this historic opportunity, the Vice Rector of Villa College, Associate Professor Dr. Ali Najeeb, stated: "I believe this is the first time the Maldives has received such an opportunity, both in terms of hosting and eligibility for the fellowship. This is a significant achievement for Maldivian higher education and a vital gateway for our youth to access high-quality programs under such a prestigious international scheme."
Dr. Najeeb further highlighted the intelligence and capability of Maldivian youth, encouraging them to compete on the international stage to secure these fellowships and study at Villa College.
Villa College’s Student Services and Contact Centre will provide guidance and information to interested applicants. Further details will also be shared across the college’s official social media platforms.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 8:00 pm Maldives time (15:00 UTC).
Eligibility criteria and application forms are available on the official Association of Commonwealth Universities website at www.acu.ac.uk/kcfp-undergraduate. Villa College encourages as many students as possible to seize this valuable opportunity to pursue higher education in fields critical to nation-building.
