Chevening Scholarships
About the Program
Comprehensive guide for Chevening Scholarships. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
Chevening Scholarships are fully funded, covering university tuition fees (up to the full programme fee of the chosen course), a monthly living stipend (approximately £1,516 for students in London and £1,215 for those outside London, paid for 12 months), return flights to and from the UK, the cost of one visa application, and various additional grants. These grants include an arrival allowance, a homeward departure allowance (£150 if on a full award), a thesis/dissertation grant, a travel grant to attend Chevening events, and a contribution toward TB testing if required. The estimated total value for a single year ranges from approximately £30,000 to £50,000+.
Inclusions
- **
Citizenship:** Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory. - **
Return
Home:** Commit to returning to your home country for a minimum of two years after your scholarship ends. - **
Undergraduate
Degree:** Hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies you for a postgraduate program at a UK university, typically equivalent to an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in the UK. - **
Work
Experience:** Have at least two years (equivalent to 2,800 hours) of work experience, acquired after completing your undergraduate degree. - **
University
Offers:** Apply to three different eligible UK university courses and receive an unconditional offer from at least one of these choices by the July deadline (July 8, 2027, for the 2026/2027 cycle). - **
Previous
U
K
Government
Funding:** Not eligible if you have previously studied in the UK on a UK government-funded scholarship. (If you previously received a Chevening Fellowship, you can apply for a scholarship after five years following its completion). - **
Citizenship
Restrictions:** Not eligible if you hold British or dual British citizenship (unless you are a citizen of a British Overseas Territory or hold BN
(O) and are applying from Hong Kong). - **
Residency:** Not eligible if resident in the UK at the time of application (excluding British Overseas Territories)
If applying from an ODA-eligible country, you must be resident in an ODA-eligible country. - **
Employment
Restrictions:** Not eligible if you are an employee, an immediate relative of an employee, or a former employee (within the last two years) of a government department, the British Council, a partner UK university, or any of their wholly owned subsidiaries. - **
Age
Limit:** There is no upper age limit for a Chevening Award. - **
Course
Type:** The scholarship supports one-year, full-time taught Master's degrees
Part-time, distance learning, or courses longer than 12 months are not eligible.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Masters, MBA
Must be enrolled in Masters, MBA.
Financial & Category
Selection Process
The selection process for Chevening Scholarships is rigorous and highly competitive
It involves several stages: 1. **
Online
Application
Review:** Applications are initially assessed by an independent reading committee
They evaluate the essays, work experience, leadership potential, and how well the candidate's profile aligns with Chevening's criteria. 2. **
Longlisting:** Successful applicants are longlisted and invited to submit references and attend an interview. 3. **
Interview:** Face-to-face interviews are conducted in English by a panel at British Embassies and High Commissions worldwide
Interview questions focus on leadership experience, career vision, impact potential upon returning home, personal and professional goals, and chosen courses
Candidates are scored against global Chevening criteria. 4. **
Conditional
Selection:** Candidates who pass the interview receive a conditional offer
To confirm the scholarship, they must meet all conditions, including securing an unconditional offer from a UK university. 5. **
Final
Selection:** Final scholarship decisions are announced, typically around June
Overall, successful applicants typically demonstrate proven leadership potential, strong academic backgrounds, significant professional achievements, clear career objectives, and a commitment to creating positive change.
Renewal Policy
Chevening Scholarships are awarded for one-year, full-time Master's degree programmes
Therefore, the scholarship is not typically renewed for subsequent years beyond the initial one-year study period.
Application Process
- 1**Research & Eligibility Check
** Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria, including country citizenship, work experience, and academic qualifications. Explore eligible UK Master's programmes that align with your background and career goals.
- 2**Course Selection
** Choose three different eligible one-year, full-time Master's programmes at UK universities. These can be at different institutions or multiple courses at the same university. Make sure they align with your academic background and future aspirations.
- 3**Prepare Application Content
** Before the application portal opens, prepare your responses to the four mandatory Chevening essays (leadership, networking, career goals, and study plan). Each essay typically has a word limit (e.g., 300 words). It's recommended to draft these in a separate document.
- 4**Online Registration & Application Submission
** * Visit the official Chevening 'Apply' page (expected to open around August 2026). * Complete the online registration form and pass the eligibility checker. * You will receive an access code; keep this safe. * Fill in all sections of the online application form, including personal details, education history, work experience, and your prepared essays. * Provide the names and contact details of two referees. * Submit your application by the deadline (expected around October 2026).
- 5**Apply to UK Universities
** Separately apply to your chosen UK universities for your Master's programmes. This is crucial as you need an unconditional offer from at least one of these universities to secure the Chevening Scholarship.
- 6**Interview Invitation
** If longlisted, you will be invited for an interview (expected February-March 2027). You will need to upload required documents like photo ID, undergraduate degree certificate, and reference letters at least seven working days before your interview.
- 7**Attend Interview
** Participate in a face-to-face interview at the British Embassy or High Commission in your country. Prepare to discuss your leadership, networking, career goals, and chosen courses.
- 8**Secure Unconditional University Offer
** If successful in the interview, you must secure at least one unconditional offer from your chosen UK universities by the offer deadline (July 8, 2027, for the 2026/2027 cycle).
- 9**Final Decision
** Final scholarship decisions are announced, typically around June.
- 10**Pre-departure
** If awarded, fulfill any remaining conditions and prepare for your studies in the UK, expected to begin in September/October 2027.
Documents Required
Important Dates
Application Deadline
6 October 2026
Applications for the 2027/2028 academic intake (the 2027 deadline) are scheduled to open on August 4, 2026, at 11:00 UTC and close on October 6, 2026, at 11:00 UTC. The application period for the 2026/2027 academic intake closed on October 7, 2025.
Dates are subject to change as per the provider's official notification. Applicants are encouraged to apply well before the closing date.
Scholarship Quick Facts
Common Questions (FAQs)
Q.What is the application timeline for the Chevening Scholarship 2026/2027?
The application portal for the 2026/2027 Chevening Scholarship is expected to open around August-September 2026 and close around October 2026. Longlisted candidates are invited for interviews typically in February-March 2027, and the deadline to submit an unconditional university offer is usually July 8, 2027. Final scholarship decisions are announced around June 2027, with studies commencing in September/October 2027.
Q.Do I need to have an unconditional university offer when I apply for Chevening?
No, you do not need an unconditional university offer at the time of submitting your Chevening application. However, if you are invited to interview and are conditionally selected for the scholarship, you must secure at least one unconditional offer from your three chosen UK university courses by the deadline listed in the application timeline, which is typically in July of the following year (e.g., July 8, 2027, for the 2026/2027 cycle).
Q.What kind of work experience is required, and does a master's degree prevent me from applying?
Chevening requires at least two years of work experience, equivalent to 2,800 hours, acquired after completing your undergraduate degree. This can be full-time, part-time, voluntary, or paid internships. Having a master's degree does not prevent you from applying for a second master's, provided you can clearly articulate how it aligns with your career goals and how it will help you drive positive change in your home country.
Q.Are there any English language test requirements for the Chevening Scholarship?
While you generally don't need to submit English test scores when you initially apply for Chevening, if you are shortlisted for the scholarship, you will likely need to provide them as part of the conditions for your award. The specific requirements are typically set by your chosen UK universities, and you must meet their English language proficiency standards. The deadline for submitting these scores is usually around February-March of the year you are due to start your studies.
Help & Contact Support
Official Support
Need Application Help?
If you have trouble applying, you can check your eligibility or browse our step-by-step application guides.
Legal Disclaimer
IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. However, scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website before final submission.
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