Chevening Scholarships

What are Chevening Scholarships?

Aimed at international students wanting to study an eligible Masters degree in the UK, and funded by the UK government (specifically the FCDO), Chevening Scholarships are awarded to individuals who can demonstrate a strong academic background and high leadership potential.

As well as having your tuition fees covered, scholars on the Chevening programme also gain access to a variety of academic, cultural and professional experiences such as:

• internships
• networking events
• sightseeing trips
• volunteering opportunities
• workshops.

How competitive are they?

The programme is incredibly selective, with only outstanding applicants making the cut. While there are more than 1,000 scholarships awarded each year, it's safe to say that competition for Chevening Scholarships is intense.

The programme receives thousands of applications each year and accepts only a fraction. To put this into perspective, more than 102,000 applications were received for the 2025/26 cycle, with only about 1% eventually selected.

What do Chevening Scholarships cover?

Most importantly, your Chevening Scholarship will cover your tuition fees in full for your UK Masters degree. Additionally, it also covers other expenses you may incur as an international student, such as:

• funding for economy travel to and from the UK
• payment of your visa application fees
• a monthly living allowance (also known as a 'stipend') for accommodation costs and other expenses.

You may also receive a 'travel top-up allowance' towards the cost of travel to any Chevening events, typically held in London.

How much are Chevening Awards actually worth?

This very much depends on the value of your tuition fees, your circumstances and location. Stipend amounts are reviewed each year and are generally higher if you're studying in London.

The total value of a Chevening Scholarship typically ranges from £30,000 to £50,000 for a one-year Masters course, making it one of the most generous scholarship programmes available.

Am I eligible for a Chevening Scholarship?

As well as being able to demonstrate excellent leadership potential, to be eligible for a Chevening Scholarship you must:

• be a citizen of a Chevening eligible country or territory (there are more than 140 Chevening countries; to check if your country is eligible, see Chevening- Find awards in your country or territory)
• commit to return to your home country for at least two years after your scholarship ends to positively impact your community with the leadership skills you have gained during your time in the UK
• hold an undergraduate degree equivalent to a 2:1 (upper second class honours)
• have at least 2,800 hours of work experience, gained after graduating from your undergraduate degree (equivalent to two years of full-time work). Full and part-time work count, as does voluntary work or unpaid internships.
• apply to three eligible UK university courses and have received an unconditional offer from at least one of these Masters programmes. The three courses you apply to don't have to be identical, but they should clearly support the same career goal. Choosing courses that are too different can make it harder to present a coherent application. Focus on academic fit, course content and how each option supports your long‑term plans.

Your age doesn't matter, as there is no upper-age limit. However, you're ineligible for a Chevening Scholarship if you:

• hold British or dual British citizenship
• are an employee, former employee, or relative of an employee of the UK government, British Embassies/High Commissions, the British Council, or sponsoring UK universities
• have previously studied in the UK on a government-funded scholarship.

Learn more about eligibility and work experience requirements.

What courses can I study and where?

Chevening Scholarships aren't subject specific, so you can study almost any discipline at an accredited UK university, as long as it leads to a Masters qualification.

Conduct your own research into courses to make sure they align with your career goals, then use the Chevening course finder to ensure they're eligible. Learn more about Masters degrees in general and visit institution websites for detailed programme information.

In a nutshell, for courses to be eligible for Chevening funding they must:

• be full time
• start in the autumn term
• be a taught Masters
• be based in the UK.

Note that the University of Oxford's Diplomatic Studies Programme is the only postgraduate diploma (PGDip) eligible for a Chevening Scholarship. All other courses must be a taught Masters.

They cannot be:

• part time or distance learning options
• less than nine months or more than 12 in duration
• a researched-focused MRes or PhD
• taught with more than one month of study outside the UK.

What's the difference between a Chevening Partner Award and a standard Chevening Award?

• Standard Chevening Awards - fully funded by the FCDO and are awarded to international students studying at a UK institution not partnered with Chevening.
• Chevening Partner Awards - co-funded by the FCDO and a partner organisation (usually a university). International students studying at a partner university benefit from additional networking opportunities and other enrichment events. To be selected for a university partner award, you must select that university as your first choice.

It's important to note that both awards provide scholars with the same experience in the UK and the same level of funding.

How do I apply to become a Chevening Scholar?

To apply for a Chevening Scholarship, you'll need to submit an online application through Chevening apply (select your country from the drop-down list). You'll need to:

• complete an online registration form
• pass an eligibility checker
• note your access code (a unique code that will be needed every time you want to access your application)
• complete all sections of the application form (personal and immigration details, education and work history, course details, referees, essay questions and equal opportunities).

The essay questions require you to provide evidence of:

• your leadership and influencing skills
• an ability to build and maintain professional relationships
• a realistic career plan for creating positive change
• research into how a Chevening Scholarship will help you to achieve your goals.

Your application will be assessed and if you're shortlisted for interview you'll need to provide:

• two reference letters written by your nominated referees in English
• your undergraduate degree certificate.

Your panel interview will usually take place at a British Embassy or High Commission. Interviews typically last around 30 minutes and are competency‑based rather than academic. Interviewers will explore your leadership experience, your career plans, and how you intend to use your UK education to create positive change in your home country. You may also be asked about your course choices and why you've chosen to study in the UK.

If your interview is successful you'll then need to submit at least one unconditional offer from your chosen universities.

For more detailed information on making a Chevening application, see Chevening -Application guidance.

When do applications open and close?

Chevening applications usually open in August and close in October/November (the year before you begin your studies). Then in:

• mid-February - applicants are shortlisted
• March-April - interviews take place
• mid-June - applicants receive a decision
• September-October - you’ll begin your studies in the UK.

Chevening applications for 2026/27 are now closed. The next cycle (2027/28) is expected to open early August 2026.

Do I need to take an English language test?

No, you do not need to participate in, or submit, an English language test as part of your Chevening application.

That said, you'll need strong English-language skills to complete the application and interview. It's also likely that your chosen university will require proof of your English proficiency (like IELTS) to accept you onto a course (remember, you need an unconditional offer as part of your Chevening application).

How can I increase my chances of getting a Chevening Scholarship?

• Read guidelines carefully - make sure you've thoroughly reviewed and understood the Chevening eligibility criteria and application guidance. It's also important to research institutions and ensure you're clear on course content and requirements.
• Start early - don't leave your application until the last minute. Allow plenty of time to research, prepare and write your application.
• Demonstrate your leadership skills and your ability to make an impact - successful Chevening scholars are those who can provide concrete, quantifiable examples of times they've demonstrated leadership ability and created positive, impactful change in their home countries/respective careers.
• Avoid using AI in your application - Chevening uses tools to detect AI use in applications. While tools can help with planning and proofreading, applications must be your own work.
• Choose references wisely - your two referees need to be people who know you in a professional or personal capacity and can speak knowledgeably about your academic or work achievements, character and potential.
• Proofread - before submitting your application proofread and then proofread again to spot any grammatical errors or typos. The Chevening Scholarship programme is incredibly competitive - don't let something easily avoidable cost you your chance.
• Ask for feedback - it's a good idea to get a second pair of eyes to look over your answers. Seek feedback from colleagues, mentors or tutors to gain a fresh perspective on your application.

What are the long‑term benefits of becoming a Chevening Scholar?

Scholars become part of a global alumni network of over 60,000 professionals working across:

• academia
• business
• media
• non‑profit sector
• politics.

After graduating, alumni benefit from lifelong networking opportunities, access to professional events and local Chevening alumni associations in their home countries. For many, these connections are among the most valuable long‑term outcomes of the programme, supporting career progression long after their studies end.

What are Chevening Fellowships?

Chevening Fellowships are aimed at international mid-career professionals already in a leadership position in their home country, looking to increase their knowledge, networks or career potential through short courses, research or professional placements at UK institutions.

They're different to Chevening Scholarships in terms of audience and scope, but they still provide fully-funded positions on short-term professional development programmes, covering fees, accommodation and living expenses.

Discover more about Chevening Fellowships.

Find out more

• Learn more about studying in the UK.
• Read up on other ways to fund postgraduate study.
• Explore other Masters degree scholarships.