Chevening Scholarships Documents Required 2026
Required Documents Checklist
- Undergraduate degree certificate
- Official academic transcripts
- Valid passport or national ID card (must be valid by the interview stage)
- Names and contact details of two referees (academic or professional; reference letters are required if shortlisted for interview)
- Four mandatory essays (covering leadership, networking, study plan, and career goals)
- Unconditional admission offer from at least one of your three chosen UK master's courses (by the July 8, 2027 deadline)
- English language test results (e.g., IELTS Academic, if required by your chosen university; typical deadline around February-March 2027)
DBT Bank Seeding Warning
Your primary bank account must be active, seeded with your Aadhaar card, and mapped on the NPCI mapper. The government disbursements are made exclusively via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
FAQs for Chevening Scholarships
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.