Chevening Scholarships
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) · All India
| Scheme Name | Chevening Scholarships |
| Provided By | Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) |
| Eligibility Summary | Masters, MBA · No income limit |
Status check
The previous application cycle (2025–26) closed on 6 October 2026. The upcoming 2026–27 cycle is expected to open soon. We will update the links here as soon as the official notification is released.
View active scholarships you can apply for today →About the Program
Comprehensive guide for Chevening Scholarships. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
GBP 22,000/mo (approx. ₹52.5 Lakh+)
The Chevening Scholarship is a fully funded award, covering full tuition fees for an eligible one-year master's programme (with an MBA tuition fee cap of GBP 22,000). Scholars receive a monthly living allowance (stipend), which is approximately £1,151 for studies in London and £977 for studies outside London (2025-26 rates, subject to annual adjustment). Additionally, the scholarship covers return economy airfare to and from the UK, an arrival allowance, a homeward departure allowance, the cost of the UK Student visa application, the Immigration Health Surcharge, and a travel grant to attend Chevening events in the UK. This scholarship, being a UK government initiative, does not involve Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts. The estimated highest annual amount, converting the maximum stipend (London) and MBA tuition cap to INR (at an approximate rate of 1 GBP = 105 INR), is around ₹37,60,260.
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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 |
| 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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Candidates for the Chevening Scholarship are selected through a highly competitive process
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Applicants must be Indian citizens, commit to returning to India for at least two years after completing their one-year master's course, and possess an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK 2:1 Honours degree
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They must also have a minimum of 2,800 hours of post-graduation work experience (roughly two years of full-time work)
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The application requires submitting details on personal information, education history, work experience, three different eligible UK master's programmes, two professional references, and four essays addressing leadership potential, networking ability, reasons for studying in the UK, and career plans
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Selection is based on demonstrated leadership potential, a strong academic background, a clear career plan, commitment to contributing to India's development, and networking ability
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Shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview, and successful applicants must secure an unconditional offer from at least one of their chosen UK universities by a specified deadline.
Renewal Policy
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The Chevening Scholarship is awarded for a one-year master's degree programme in the UK
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Therefore, it is not renewable for subsequent academic years or longer programs.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
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Visit the Official Website & Register * Go to the official Chevening website, chevening.org. * Click on the 'Apply Today' button or navigate to the 'Apply' section for India. * Complete the online registration form by providing your email address and other required details. * You will receive a unique access code; save this carefully as it is required to log in and access your application.
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Complete the Eligibility Checker * After logging into the application portal, answer the initial eligibility questions to confirm you meet the basic criteria for a Chevening Scholarship. * If you pass, you will receive confirmation to proceed with the full application.
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Fill Out the Application Form * Log in to the online application system using your registered email and access code. * Complete all sections of the application form, which typically include: * Personal Details: Full name (matching passport), citizenship, and preferred interview location. * Education History: Up to 15 entries for institutions, courses, and results. * Work Experience: Up to 15 entries; the system automatically calculates if you meet the 2,800-hour requirement (post-graduation). * Course Choices: Select three different eligible one-year UK master's programmes at up to three different universities. * References: Provide contact details for two professional referees. * Essays/Supporting Statements: Respond to four essay questions (300 words each) covering leadership, networking, studying in the UK, and career plans. * Diversity Monitoring: Optional demographic information. * It is recommended to draft your essays offline before pasting them into the form.
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Submit Your Application * Review all sections carefully, as changes are not possible after submission. * Submit your application before the deadline (October 6, 2026, for the 2027-28 cycle).
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Status Tracking (Post-Submission) * Eligibility Sifting & Reading Committee Assessment: Applications are initially checked for eligibility, then assessed by reading committees. * Interview Invitation: Shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview (late January or early February). * Document Submission: If invited for an interview, you will then be required to upload supporting documents like academic transcripts, references, and a valid passport. * Interview: Attend a panel interview (in-person or virtual). * University Offer: Secure an unconditional offer from at least one of your chosen UK universities by the deadline (typically July of the award year). * Results Announcement:** Final results are announced after the interview and offer deadlines.
Common Questions (FAQs)
What exactly does the Chevening Scholarship cover for Indian students?
The Chevening Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support for a one-year master's degree in the UK. It covers full tuition fees (with an MBA tuition fee cap of £22,000), a monthly living stipend (approximately £1,151 in London and £977 outside London for 2025-26 rates), return economy airfare, visa application fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge, an arrival allowance, a homeward departure allowance, and a travel grant for Chevening events.
What are the core eligibility requirements for Indian applicants for the 2027-28 academic year?
For the 2027-28 academic year, Indian applicants must be citizens of India, commit to returning to India for a minimum of two years after completing their scholarship, and hold an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK 2:1 Honours degree. A critical requirement is having at least 2,800 hours of work experience (equivalent to about two years full-time) gained strictly *after* your undergraduate graduation. Additionally, you must apply to three different eligible UK master's courses and receive an unconditional offer from at least one of them by a specified deadline.
Can I apply for a bachelor's degree or a master's program longer than one year using the Chevening Scholarship?
No, the Chevening Scholarship is exclusively designed for Indian students wishing to pursue a one-year master's program in the UK. It is not applicable for undergraduate (bachelor's) degrees or master's courses that extend beyond one academic year.
Plan your study abroad
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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.