- Villa College has been confirmed as an official host institution for the King's Commonwealth Fellowship Programme Undergraduate Fellowships, administered by the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
- Students from 24 eligible Commonwealth Small Island Developing States can apply for five accredited degree pathways in nursing, education and engineering, with full funding.
- Eleven fellowships are available, with seven reserved for smaller island states, and applications close on 14 October 2026.
Villa College will host students from Commonwealth Small Island Developing States under a fully funded undergraduate fellowship programme focused on building skills needed for climate resilience, infrastructure and essential community services.
The college has been confirmed as an official host institution for the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme Undergraduate Fellowships, administered by the Association of Commonwealth Universities and inspired by King Charles III.
Students from 24 eligible Commonwealth island nations will be able to apply for degree programmes at Villa College, with tuition fees, living expenses and travel costs covered through the fellowship.
Vice Rector of Villa College, Associate Professor Dr Ali Najeeb, said the selection reflected the institution’s academic development and growing international role.
“This is a significant achievement and a strong recognition of the quality, capacity and environment we have built at Villa College. Our selection to host fully funded fellows from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is a great opportunity to contribute to developing future talent in the region and to further strengthen Villa College’s international standing.”
Villa College will offer five accredited degree pathways through the programme. These include the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Teaching in Primary and Special Education Needs, and Bachelor of Engineering Honours programmes in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
The selected fields are intended to develop expertise in areas such as healthcare, inclusive education, climate adaptation and sustainable infrastructure planning across island communities.
The fellowship package will cover full tuition fees for the duration of the degree, provide a living allowance and fund one return flight each year for students relocating between islands.
Eleven fellowships are available across the 24 eligible countries. Seven places have been reserved for applicants from Dominica, Grenada, Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu to support representation from smaller island states.
Villa College became the first higher education institution in the Maldives to join the Association of Commonwealth Universities in 2013. Fellows studying at the college will also become part of the wider international community of King’s Fellows.
Applications are open until 15:00 UTC on 14 October 2026. Eligibility details and application forms are available through the Association of Commonwealth Universities’ official portal.
