What is Chevening?
Chevening is the UK government's flagship international scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations. It offers fully funded one-year Master's degrees at any UK university. If you want to study in Britain on someone else's tab, this is the gold standard.
The programme has been running since 1983 and has built a global alumni network of over 55,000 professionals across 160+ countries. These aren't just former students — we're talking heads of state, ambassadors, Supreme Court justices, and CEOs. The UK government uses Chevening as a core part of its soft power strategy, and that's exactly why they invest so heavily in it.
Let's be upfront: Chevening is not just a scholarship. It's a leadership development programme. They're looking for people who will go back to their home countries and create real change. If you're applying just to get a free degree, the selection committee will see right through it. Your leadership potential and your plan to give back — that's what gets you in.
Around 1,800 scholarships are awarded each year from roughly 60,000+ applications. That puts the acceptance rate at about 2-3% — making it one of the most competitive scholarships on earth. But don't let that scare you off. If you understand what they're looking for and put the work into your application, you absolutely have a shot.
Types of Chevening Awards
Different award types depending on your country and background. Select to learn more:
Chevening Scholarships (Standard)
The main award. Fully funded one-year Master's at any UK university. Pick 3 course preferences. Funded by the FCDO — tuition, living costs, flights, everything.
Chevening Partnerships
Co-funded with universities, companies, NGOs. May have specific subject areas or country restrictions. Some add mentoring or internships.
Chevening SIDS
For Small Island Developing States (Caribbean, Pacific). Focuses on climate change, governance, sustainable development.
Chevening ASEAN
For ASEAN member states. Focuses on trade, digital innovation, security. Co-funded with extra regional networking.
Do You Even Qualify?
Before you spend weeks crafting four essays and chasing referees, make sure you actually meet the basic requirements. These apply to all Chevening awards.
You must be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country and apply from that country. Over 160 countries and territories qualify. UK citizens and dual UK nationals are not eligible.
You need at least 2,800 hours of work experience — that's roughly 2 years full-time. This can include part-time, voluntary, or paid work. Internships count too, as long as you can document them.
You need an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK 2:1 or above. Not sure how your degree compares? Check with ENIC-NARIC.
You must return to your home country for at least 2 years after your scholarship ends. This is non-negotiable. Chevening is designed to build leadership in your own country, not to be an immigration pathway.
You need to meet the English language requirement before your scholarship is confirmed. Most applicants use IELTS (minimum 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each band) or equivalent.
Want the full breakdown? Check our Eligibility & Requirements page.
What You Actually Get
Chevening is one of the most generous scholarships out there. It covers basically everything — you won't need to fund anything yourself beyond personal spending money.
| Benefit | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | Full tuition (uncapped) |
| Living Allowance (London) | GBP 1,516/month |
| Living Allowance (Outside London) | GBP 1,215/month |
| Return Flights | Economy class, home to UK and back |
| Thesis/Dissertation Grant | Up to GBP 285 |
| Study Travel Grant | Up to GBP 780 |
| Arrival Allowance | One-off settling-in payment |
| Homeward Departure Allowance | One-off end-of-scholarship payment |
| Excess Baggage Allowance | Contribution towards extra luggage |
GBP 1,516/month in London will cover basics but won't leave you flush. Outside London, GBP 1,215 goes further. Budget wisely. See our Benefits page for the full breakdown.
Timeline: When Does Everything Happen?
The Chevening cycle runs over about a year from application to arrival. Here's the rough expected timeline for the 2027/28 intake (official dates not yet announced — to be confirmed; based on the recurring annual pattern).
The online portal typically opens in early August. Start working on your four essays, CV, and referee details well before this date.
Applications typically close in early November at 12:00 GMT. No extensions, no exceptions. Late submissions are automatically rejected. Confirm the exact date once Chevening publishes it.
Your application is reviewed by a reading committee at the British embassy in your country. They shortlist candidates for interview.
Shortlisted? You'll get an interview invitation. Not everyone who applies gets to this stage — typically about 3-4x the number of available awards.
In-person or virtual panel interview. Usually 30 minutes. They'll drill into your essays, leadership experience, and post-scholarship plans.
You'll receive a conditional offer. You'll need to meet your English language requirement and secure a university unconditional offer.
Orientation events, meet your cohort, and start your Master's programme. Your Chevening year begins.
For exact dates, check our Deadline page.
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