Chevening Eligibility & Requirements 2027/28

Quick Eligibility Checker

Answer 5 questions to find out if you qualify for Chevening 2027/28.

Who Is Not Eligible

Chevening's own rules also rule out a few groups outright, even if they tick every box above:

• British or dual British citizens (with limited exceptions).
• People living in the UK at the time of applying, and refugee-status holders in ineligible countries.
• Current employees, and former employees from the last two years, of a UK government department, the British Council or a partner UK university, and their immediate relatives.
• Previous recipients of a UK-government-funded scholarship (with a five-year exception for some fellowship holders).

Work Experience Calculator

Chevening requires at least 2,800 hours of work experience gained after you completed your undergraduate degree, built up over a minimum of two years. That's roughly two years of full-time work at 35 hours a week. Full-time and part-time employment, voluntary work and paid or unpaid internships all count. Use this calculator to check if you qualify.

The Chevening portal does the same sum: weeks worked multiplied by hours per week, across up to fifteen employment periods.

What counts toward 2,800 hours?

• Full-time employment — the most straightforward path.
• Part-time work — calculate actual hours (20 hrs/wk for 2 yrs = 2,080 hrs).
• Voluntary work — counts if you can document it.
• Self-employment — not named on Chevening's list, so check with Chevening first and keep contracts and invoices as evidence.
• Post-graduation internships — paid or unpaid, the hours count.

What does NOT count?

Academic Requirements by Country

You need an undergraduate degree that qualifies you for a UK master's — for most courses that means an upper second-class honours degree (2:1) or equivalent. Here is roughly what that means in common systems:

Some UK universities may require higher grades. Always check each university's own entry requirements too.

English Language Requirements

Chevening removed its own English language requirement in 2020, so you don't submit a test score to Chevening. But every UK university sets one, and you can't get the unconditional offer you need by 8 July 2027 without meeting it. Strong English also matters for your essays and interview.

Typical minimums for UK master's courses look like this — many courses ask for more, so check each of your three choices:

The Return-Home Requirement

What exactly is the 2-year rule?

After your course ends, you must return to your country of citizenship for a minimum of two years. During that time you cannot apply for a UK Graduate visa, Skilled Worker visa, or any other leave to remain.

What happens if I break this rule?

Chevening's terms treat it as a breach of a scholarship condition, and you become liable to repay all the money paid to you during your scholarship — tens of thousands of pounds. Chevening also tracks scholars' return flights.

After 2 years, am I free?

Yes. After the two-year period, you can apply for UK visas, move wherever you want, and do whatever you like. The restriction only covers the first two years.

Country-Specific Considerations

Quotas and availability

Different countries have different numbers of awards. India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Indonesia tend to have more slots. Smaller countries might have only a handful. Competition varies wildly by country.

Regional partnerships

Some countries have co-funded partnerships creating extra places. These may have additional requirements or preferred study areas. Check your local British High Commission or Embassy website.

Priority subject areas

Some countries have priority areas aligned with UK diplomatic priorities. Applying in a priority area can strengthen your application if your career plan aligns naturally.

Check country-specific details on the official Chevening website.

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