During Your Chevening Scholarship: Making the Most of Your UK Year

Your year at a glance

A one-year UK master's moves quickly. Most Chevening years follow a rhythm like this one (exact dates depend on your university):

Academic expectations

Let's be blunt: you must complete your master's degree successfully. This isn't optional. Chevening has invested tens of thousands of pounds in you, and they expect results. Chevening's terms say it will not pay for resits, and it can end your award for unsatisfactory progress — and then ask you to repay what it has paid you.

What success looks like

• Attend all classes and lectures. UK master's programmes are intensive. Missing sessions means missing material you'll be assessed on. Some courses have attendance requirements that affect your grade.
• Meet every deadline. UK universities are strict about submission dates. Late work typically gets penalised or rejected outright. Plan ahead, start early, and don't leave your dissertation to the last month.
• Use support services early. If you're struggling — with the workload, the language, the academic style, anything — talk to your university's student support services and the Chevening Secretariat. Don't wait until you're failing. Both have resources to help, but only if you reach out.
• Adapt to UK academic culture. The UK system values critical thinking and independent research over rote memorisation. You'll be expected to read widely, form your own opinions, and defend them in essays and discussions. This can be a significant adjustment if you're coming from a more lecture-based academic culture.

Your Chevening living allowance is paid monthly, and while it's generous by scholarship standards, it's not unlimited — especially if you're studying in London. Budgeting isn't glamorous, but it's essential.

These are the most recently published (2026/27) rates. Chevening reviews the stipend each year, and your exact 2027/28 rate is confirmed with your award.

Open a UK bank account as soon as possible

Your stipend is paid into a UK bank account, so get this set up in your first week. Bring your passport, proof of your immigration status (your eVisa — the UK no longer issues BRP cards), your university enrolment letter and proof of address. Many universities have bank representatives on campus during Freshers' Week.

Track your spending

Use a budgeting app or even a simple spreadsheet. Rent will be your biggest expense (GBP 500–900/month depending on location). After rent, your main costs are food, transport and phone. London scholars need to be especially careful — the cost of living there is significantly higher than anywhere else in the UK. Our UK cost of living guide has more detail.

The NHS is already covered

The Immigration Health Surcharge is covered for Chevening scholars as part of the visa process, so NHS healthcare is available to you. This includes GP visits and hospital treatment; prescriptions in England carry a standard charge. Don't pay for private healthcare unless you have specific needs the NHS doesn't cover.

The Chevening experience

Chevening isn't just a scholarship — it's a programme. The Chevening Secretariat organises events and activities throughout the year designed to give you experiences you wouldn't get as a regular student. Take advantage of every single one.

Former scholars consistently say that the Chevening events and the network they built were as valuable as the degree itself. The person sitting next to you at a Chevening dinner could be a future minister, ambassador or CEO in their country. Treat every interaction as an investment in your future.

Working during your scholarship

Your Student visa allows you to work, and the rules are straightforward:

• During term time: up to 20 hours per week
• During holidays: up to 40 hours a week, under Chevening's terms
• Self-employment: not allowed on a Student visa

If you absolutely need to supplement your income, look for work that's relevant to your studies or career — research assistant positions, teaching assistant roles, or work within your department. These look good on your CV and keep you connected to your academic work rather than pulling you away from it.

Travel during the scholarship

You're in the UK, and Europe is right next door. Travelling is one of the best parts of studying abroad, and your Student visa allows you to leave and re-enter the UK. But Chevening's terms cap your time outside the UK at 30 days in total during the scholarship. Go over without permission and your stipend is suspended until you return. Tell your programme officer at least two weeks before any trip.

• UK travel: Explore freely. Edinburgh, Cardiff, Manchester, the Lake District — the UK has far more than London. Railcards save a third on train fares. See our top UK cities guide.
• European travel: Budget airlines (Ryanair, easyJet) fly from UK airports to destinations across Europe for as little as GBP 20–40. Plan trips around your academic calendar — reading weeks and holidays are ideal.
• Re-entering the UK: Your eVisa is your proof of status. Make sure your UKVI account is linked to the passport you travel with, and return before your visa end date.
• Study travel grants: earlier Chevening packages included a grant for academic travel, but it is not on Chevening's current list. Check your award letter before you count on it.

Building your network

This is as important as your degree. Maybe more important. The connections you make during your Chevening year can shape the next 20 years of your career. Don't be passive about this.

Attend everything

Every Chevening event, every university lecture, every department seminar, every alumni meetup. Say yes to invitations. Show up. Be present. The year goes fast and every opportunity you skip is one you'll never get back.

Connect with alumni

The Chevening alumni network includes over 60,000 professionals across 160+ countries and territories. Many are in senior positions in government, business and civil society. Connect with alumni in your field — they've been where you are and can offer advice, introductions and mentorship.

Join university societies

UK universities have hundreds of student societies covering everything from debating to dance. Join ones that align with your interests and career goals. These are natural networking spaces and a great way to meet people outside the Chevening bubble. More in our UK student life guide.

LinkedIn is your friend

Update your LinkedIn profile. Connect with every person you meet — fellow scholars, professors, speakers, professionals you encounter at events. Write a post about your Chevening experience. Engage with content from the Chevening community. Your digital network is as important as your physical one.

Preparing for return

This might seem premature when you've just arrived, but you need to start thinking about your return home early. Remember: you must return to your home country for at least two years after your scholarship ends. That's not a suggestion — it's a condition of the award.

1. 1
   Connect with employers back home

   Research organisations in your country that value UK qualifications and international experience. Reach out while you're still studying — don't wait until you're packing your bags.

2. 2
   Attend career fairs

   UK universities host career fairs with international employers. Some specifically target students returning to certain regions. These are prime opportunities for face-to-face conversations with potential employers.

3. 3
   Use the Chevening alumni network

   Contact Chevening alumni in your country who have successfully returned and built their careers. They know the landscape, they know the challenges, and they can open doors for you.

4. 4
   Frame the return positively

   The two-year return period isn't a punishment — it's an opportunity. You're going home with a UK master's degree, a global network and skills that are in high demand. Use those two years to establish yourself as a leader in your field.

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