Are you dreaming of pursuing higher education at a world-class university without the burden of tuition fees? The Chevening Scholarship is your chance to turn that dream into a reality. Funded by the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organisations, this prestigious programme offers a direct path to a fully-funded Master’s degree at any UK university.
Chevening: The Host
The Chevening Scholarship is the UK government’s global scholarship programme. The programme is a part of the UK’s public diplomacy efforts and is hosted by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organizations, which include private companies, NGOs, foreign government departments, and UK universities. This network of partners works together to fund scholars in various fields of study, aligning with both the partner’s strategic objectives and the UK’s international priorities.
What Does the Scholarship Cover? The Benefits
The Chevening Scholarship is a fully-funded award, which means it covers all the major expenses, allowing you to focus completely on your studies and personal development. The benefits include:
- Full university tuition fees
- A monthly living stipend
- Travel costs to and from the UK
- An arrival and a homeward departure allowance
- The cost of one visa application
- A travel grant to attend Chevening events in the UK
Programs
Chevening Scholarships are primarily for individuals pursuing a one-year, full-time taught Master’s degree. The courses you choose must be based in the UK and start in the autumn term (usually September/October). The scholarship is not for research-focused MRes programmes, PhDs, or DPhils. The courses cannot be part-time, distance learning, or less than nine months or more than 12 months in duration.
Are You Eligible?
The competition is open to foreign citizens and stateless persons who either hold a higher education degree or will be completing their current level of education in 2026. To apply for a Chevening Scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory.
- Commit to returning to your country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after your award has ended.
- Hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies you for a UK Master’s programme.
- Have at least two years (2,800 hours) of work experience gained after your graduation. This can be full-time, part-time, voluntary work, or paid/unpaid internships.
- Apply to three different eligible UK university courses and get an unconditional offer from at least one of them by the specified deadline.
- Not hold British or dual British citizenship or have previously studied in the UK on a UK government-funded scholarship.
The List of Chevening Eligible Countries
The Chevening Scholarship is open to citizens of a wide range of countries and territories across the globe. Some of the eligible countries include (but are not limited to):
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan
- Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil
- Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba
- Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia
- Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea
- Honduras, Hong Kong
- India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel
- Jamaica, Japan, Jordan
- Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan
- Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya
- Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar
- Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Macedonia
- Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines
- Russia, Rwanda
- Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St Helena, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Syria
- Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu
- Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan
- Venezuela, Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia, Zimbabwe
For the most up-to-date and complete list of eligible countries and any specific requirements for your country, always check the official Chevening website.
The Application Process: A Step-by-Step Timeline
The application process is rigorous but straightforward. Here’s what to expect, based on the application timeline for the 2026/2027 cycle:
Stage 1: Application Submission (August – October 2025) This is the foundational stage where you make your first impression.
- Applications Open: August 5, 2025
- Applications Close: October 7, 2025
- Online Application: All applications are submitted through the Chevening online application system. You must choose three different eligible Master’s degree courses.
Stage 2: Shortlisting and Interviews (October 2025 – April 2026) If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to participate in the second stage.
- Shortlisting: Mid-February 2026.
- Required Documents: If you are shortlisted, you will need to upload your undergraduate degree certificate and two reference letters.
- Interviews: March to April 2026. You will be interviewed by a panel at a British embassy or high commission in your country.
Final Announcements (June 2026)
- Final Results Announced: Mid-June 2026
- Secure an Offer: You must secure an unconditional offer from one of your three chosen UK universities by the offer deadline of July 9, 2026.
- Studies Begin: September/October 2026
If you are an aspiring leader with a clear vision for creating positive change, the Chevening Scholarship could be the transformative opportunity you’ve been waiting for. For more detailed information and to start your application, visit the official Chevening website.