Chevening Scholarships
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) · All India
| Scheme Name | Chevening Scholarships |
| Provided By | Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) |
| Eligibility Summary | Class 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income) |
About the Program
Comprehensive guide for Chevening Scholarships. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
£22,000/mo (approx. ₹52.5 Lakh+)
Chevening Scholarships are fully funded, covering university tuition fees (uncapped for most programmes, but with a cap of £22,000 for MBA programmes). Scholars also receive a monthly living allowance (approximately £1,175/month outside London and £1,516/month in London for 2025-26 rates, subject to annual adjustment), return economy airfare from India to the UK, an arrival allowance, a homeward departure allowance, and the cost of one UK visa application. A travel grant for Chevening-related events within the UK is also included. Tuition fees are paid directly to the university, and the living allowance is provided as a monthly stipend to the scholar. No Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts is applicable as this is a UK government scholarship.
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Citizenship:Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory.
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Return Home:Commit to returning to your home country for a minimum of two years after your scholarship ends.
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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.
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Work Experience:Have at least two years (equivalent to 2,800 hours) of work experience, acquired after completing your undergraduate degree.
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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).
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Previous UK 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).
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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).
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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.
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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.
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Age Limit:There is no upper age limit for a Chevening Award.
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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 & Income Limit
| Education Level | Masters, MBA |
| Course / Stream | Masters, MBA |
| Minimum Marks | 60% |
| Income Limit | No income bar |
| Category / Caste | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory 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)
Selection Process
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The selection process for Chevening Scholarships is highly competitive and prioritizes leadership potential, networking ability, and professional impact beyond just academic scores. Applicants must be citizens of a Chevening-eligible country (including India) and commit to returning to their home country for a minimum of two years after their scholarship ends.
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The process typically involves several stages:
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Online Application:Candidates submit a comprehensive online application, including personal details, educational background, work history, and four essays addressing leadership and influence, networking, studying in the UK, and career plans. They must list three eligible UK master's programmes from different universities.
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Application Assessment:An independent committee, in conjunction with local British Embassies or High Commissions, assesses applications and shortlists candidates.
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Interview:Shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview at the British High Commission or Embassy in India. During the interview, candidates are assessed on their leadership and relationship-building skills, reasons for studying in the UK, career plan, and personal and professional development.
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References and Documents:Candidates must submit two professional references and academic documents.
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Unconditional University Offer:Applicants must secure an unconditional offer from one of their chosen UK universities by a specified deadline, typically around July.
Renewal Policy
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Chevening Scholarships are typically awarded for a one-year taught Master's degree programme and are not renewable for subsequent academic years for the same course
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The core condition for the scholarship is the commitment to return to the country of citizenship (India) for a minimum of two years after the award ends
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There are no annual renewal conditions in the traditional sense, as the scholarship is designed for a single academic year.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Check Eligibility
Ensure you meet all the core eligibility criteria, including Indian citizenship, holding an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK 2:1 honours degree (broadly 60-65% aggregate), and having at least two years (2,800 hours) of work experience gained after completing your undergraduate degree.
- 2Research & Select Courses
Identify and apply to three different eligible one-year master's programmes at UK universities. All three must be distinct courses.
- 3Online Application
Applications typically open in August and close in early November (e.g., October 7, 2025, for the 2025-26 cycle; October 6, 2026, for the 2027-28 cycle). Register on the official Chevening application portal and complete the online form. This includes providing personal details, education history (up to 15 entries), work experience (up to 15 entries – the system calculates the 2,800 hours), and answering four mandatory essays (Leadership and Influence, Networking, Studying in the UK, and Career Plan).
- 4Provide Referee Details
You will need to provide contact details for two professional referees. These referees will later be required to submit reference letters if your application progresses to the interview stage.
- 5Submit University Applications
Simultaneously with your Chevening application, you must apply directly to your three chosen UK university courses. You must receive at least one unconditional offer by a specific deadline (e.g., July 11, 2025, for the 2025-26 cycle).
- 6Interview (if shortlisted)
If shortlisted, you will be invited for an interview at the British Embassy or High Commission in India. You must upload your reference letters and academic documents before the interview.
- 7Results & Confirmation
Successful candidates are typically notified by June. Status Tracking: The Chevening online application system allows you to track the status of your application throughout the various stages after submission. Refer to the official Chevening website for detailed updates on your application timeline.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Does the Chevening Scholarship cover costs for family members or dependents?
No, the Chevening Scholarship does not cover any costs for partners or children. The stipend, tuition, and travel allowances are solely for the scholar. Dependents must self-fund their visas, accommodation, and living expenses, as no extra allowances are provided.
Is there an age limit to apply for the Chevening Scholarship?
No, there is no age limit for applicants to the Chevening Scholarship.
Is work experience a mandatory requirement for the Chevening Scholarship, and what kind of experience counts?
Yes, a minimum of two years (2,800 hours) of work experience is a mandatory eligibility requirement. This experience must be accumulated after your undergraduate graduation date. It can include full-time employment, part-time work, voluntary work, and paid or unpaid internships. Work experience gained during undergraduate studies typically does not count.
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IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. 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.