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You've been selected — but the work is not over. A conditional offer becomes real only when you complete every step below.
Post-Selection Checklist
1. The Conditional Offer
When Chevening tells you you've been selected, what you receive is a conditional offer. This means your place on the scholarship is held for you, but it's not confirmed until you meet a set of conditions. Think of it as a provisional "yes" that becomes a full "yes" only when you tick every box.
Typical Conditions You Must Meet
- Secure an unconditional offer from one of your three chosen UK universities
- Submit English language test scores meeting the minimum requirements
- Confirm your university choice to the Chevening Secretariat
- Successfully obtain a UK student visa
Don't celebrate too early
Every year, a number of conditionally selected scholars lose their places because they fail to meet one or more conditions by the deadline. The most common reasons are failing to secure an unconditional university offer or not meeting the English language requirement in time. Take every condition seriously and act fast.
2. Confirm Your University Choice
During your Chevening application, you listed three university and course preferences. Now you need to pick one and secure an unconditional offer from that university. This is non-negotiable — Chevening cannot issue your scholarship until the university has formally accepted you.
What to Do
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1
Contact all three universities immediately to check the status of your applications. If you haven't applied yet (some applicants wait for Chevening results first), do it now — urgently.
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2
If any university has given you a conditional offer (e.g., pending your English test score), work to convert it to unconditional as quickly as possible.
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3
Once you have an unconditional offer, confirm your final choice with the Chevening Secretariat through the online portal.
Can you change your university choice?
In some cases, yes. If your first-choice university rejects you or you have a strong reason to switch, contact the Chevening Secretariat. Changes are handled case by case and are not guaranteed, but the team is generally reasonable if you communicate early and have a valid reason.
3. Meet English Language Requirements
If you haven't already submitted your IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE scores, you need to do so now. Chevening requires minimum scores, and your chosen university may require even higher ones.
Chevening Minimum Scores (Reminder)
- IELTS Academic: Overall 6.5, no section below 5.5
- TOEFL iBT: Overall 79 (Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17)
- PTE Academic: Overall 58, no section below 42
Book your test early. Test centres fill up quickly, especially during the Chevening selection season. Leave enough time for results to come through (usually 2-3 weeks for IELTS) and for a potential retake if you don't hit the required scores on the first attempt.
Hard deadline
If you don't submit qualifying English test scores by the Chevening deadline, your offer is withdrawn. Period. No extensions are granted. This is the single most common reason scholars lose their places after conditional selection.
4. Apply for Your UK Student Visa
Once your university place is confirmed, the university will issue a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies). This is the document you need to apply for your UK student visa — officially called the Student visa (formerly Tier 4).
Visa Costs & Requirements
Visa Application Fee
Approximately GBP 490
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
Approximately GBP 776 per year
Biometrics
Fingerprints and photo at a visa application centre
CAS Number
Provided by your university after confirming your place
Documents You'll Need
- Valid passport (with at least one blank page)
- CAS number from your university
- Chevening confirmation letter (proving your scholarship covers tuition and living costs)
- English language test results
- TB test certificate (required for applicants from certain countries)
Chevening covers the IHS
Good news: the Immigration Health Surcharge is typically reimbursed by Chevening. You'll need to pay it upfront during the visa application, but you'll get the money back. Keep your receipt. The visa application fee itself may also be covered — check with the Chevening Secretariat for the latest policy.
5. Pre-Departure Preparation
Once your visa is approved, it's time to prepare for your move to the UK. This is when things start feeling real.
TB Test
If you're applying from a country where tuberculosis testing is required (most countries in Africa, Asia, and parts of Latin America), you'll need to get a TB test from an approved clinic before your visa appointment. Results are usually available on the same day.
UK Bank Account
Some UK banks allow you to open an account online before you arrive. Barclays and HSBC have been popular choices for international students. Having a UK bank account ready means you can receive your Chevening stipend payments from day one. If you can't open one before arrival, most universities have partnerships with banks that make the process easier during Freshers' Week.
Accommodation
Start looking for accommodation as soon as your university is confirmed. University halls of residence are the easiest option — apply early as they fill up fast. Private accommodation is another option, but navigating the UK rental market from abroad can be tricky. Many Chevening scholars use university-managed housing for the first year.
Pre-Departure Briefing
The British High Commission or Embassy in your country typically organises a pre-departure briefing for all Chevening scholars. This is where you'll meet fellow scholars from your country, receive practical advice about living in the UK, and get answers to last-minute questions. Attendance is strongly recommended — and in some countries, expected.
6. Arrive in the UK
You've met all the conditions, secured your visa, packed your bags. Now you're actually going. Here's what the first few weeks look like.
Your First Week
- 1 Chevening Orientation: The Chevening Secretariat organises an orientation programme for all new scholars. This is usually held in London before the academic year starts. You'll meet scholars from over 160 countries, attend workshops, and learn what's expected of you as a Chevening scholar.
- 2 University Registration: Head to your university city, register for your course, get your student ID, and access university services. This is also when you'll set up your IT accounts, library access, and meet your department.
- 3 Collect your BRP: Within 10 days of arriving, you must collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from the designated Post Office. Your visa decision letter will tell you which Post Office to go to.
- 4 Register with a GP: Register with a local doctor's surgery (GP) near your accommodation. The NHS is free for you since you've paid the Immigration Health Surcharge. Don't wait until you're sick to register.
The first few weeks are intense but exciting. You're meeting people from all over the world, adjusting to a new academic system, and figuring out how to navigate a new country. Lean into the Chevening community — your fellow scholars are going through the exact same thing, and many will become lifelong friends and professional contacts.
7. Important Deadlines After Selection
Timing is everything after you're selected. Missing any of these deadlines can cost you the scholarship. Here's a rough timeline of what to expect:
| Task | Typical Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Confirm university choice | Within 2-4 weeks of conditional offer | Must have unconditional offer from university |
| Submit English test scores | Usually by mid-July | No extensions granted |
| Apply for UK visa | June – August | After receiving CAS from university |
| Pre-departure briefing | July – August | Organised by local British Embassy |
| Arrive in the UK | Late August – early September | In time for Chevening orientation |
| University term starts | Late September – early October | Varies by university |
Keep a calendar with all these dates marked. Set reminders. Share the timeline with a trusted friend or family member who can help keep you on track. The period between selection and departure is one of the busiest of your life, and staying organised is the difference between a smooth start and a panicked scramble.