Chevening is the UK government’s international scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations. It supports people with leadership potential from eligible countries to study a one-year master’s degree at a UK university. This guide summarises eligibility, the application process and how to prepare.
Information checked: 24 October 2026.
Important: Rules and dates change each year. Always check the official Chevening website before applying.
What Chevening Typically Covers
Chevening Scholarships generally cover tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, travel to and from the UK, and other allowances such as the visa application cost. Check the official website for the current list of benefits.
Key Eligibility Requirements
According to Chevening’s published criteria for the 2027/28 cycle, applicants generally must:
- be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory;
- return to their country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after the award ends;
- have completed an undergraduate degree that enables entry to a UK postgraduate course (for the 2027/28 cycle, Chevening states the degree must have been completed by October 2024);
- have at least 2,800 hours of work experience, gained after completing the undergraduate degree and over a minimum of two years;
- apply to three different eligible UK master’s courses and receive an unconditional offer from one of them by the deadline set by Chevening.
There are additional rules, for example for UK government employees and dual citizens. Read the full eligibility guidance.
2027/28 Timeline (Official Dates)
The UK government announced that applications for 2027/28 opened on 4 August 2026, and Chevening’s timeline lists the closing date as 6 October 2026. That application window has now closed. For future cycles, expect a similar pattern: applications typically open in late summer and close in autumn, with interviews in the following spring and results later in the year. Always check the official timeline.
The Four Essays
The Chevening application has typically included essay questions about:
- Leadership and influence: evidence of how you have led, influenced or inspired others.
- Networking: how you build and maintain relationships, and how you will use the Chevening network.
- Studying in the UK: why you chose your three courses and how they relate to your goals.
- Career plan: what you plan to do after returning home and how it will create impact.
Check the current wording and word limits on the official site, as they may change.
Writing Strong Chevening Essays
- Use specific examples. Describe real situations, your actions and the results. Structures like Situation–Task–Action–Result help.
- Show impact. Quantify where possible: people trained, budgets managed, policies changed.
- Connect the dots. Your past experience, chosen courses and career plan should form a logical story.
- Be realistic. Describe short-term and long-term goals that are achievable.
- Write in your own voice. Avoid copying templates; reviewers read thousands of essays.
Choosing Your Three Courses
Choose courses that clearly support your career plan. Check entry requirements carefully, including English language requirements and deadlines. Chevening does not award scholarships for all courses; check its eligibility guidance for course types that are excluded.
References
Chevening asks for references. Choose people who know your work well, such as a current or former manager or an academic supervisor, and give them plenty of time.
Interviews
Shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview, usually at the British Embassy or High Commission in their country or online. Prepare to:
- discuss your essays in more depth;
- give examples of leadership and networking;
- explain your course choices and career plan;
- show knowledge of current issues in your field and country.
Common Mistakes
- applying without enough qualifying work experience;
- using generic essays that could apply to anyone;
- choosing unrelated courses;
- waiting too long to apply to universities;
- not reading the full eligibility rules.
A Practical Preparation Plan for the Next Round
If you missed the current application window, you can use the time to prepare a much stronger application for the next one:
- Build your work experience record. Keep a simple log of your jobs, dates and hours, including volunteering and internships, so you can show you meet the work experience requirement.
- Research courses early. Look for UK master’s courses that fit your career plan and check their entry requirements and application deadlines.
- Apply for university places. You will need an unconditional offer from one of your three course choices by the date Chevening sets, so apply to universities in good time.
- Collect leadership and networking examples. Note projects you led, problems you solved and relationships you built, with measurable results where possible.
- Draft your essays offline. Use the four essay themes to prepare draft answers, then refine them over several weeks.
Telling a Strong Leadership Story
Chevening’s leadership essay is often where applications succeed or fail. A useful structure is:
- Situation: describe the context briefly.
- Action: explain what you personally did and why.
- Result: show the outcome, ideally with numbers.
- Reflection: say what you learned and how it shapes your future leadership.
Choose an example where you influenced others, not only one where you were the formal manager. Leadership can include organising a community initiative, improving a process at work or mentoring colleagues.
Preparing for Life in the UK
Successful scholars should prepare for practical matters such as student visa paperwork, accommodation, opening a bank account and registering with a doctor. Chevening and your university will usually provide guidance, but starting early reduces stress in the weeks before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply without a university offer?
You can usually submit your Chevening application before receiving an offer, but you must obtain an unconditional offer by the deadline set by Chevening.
Does volunteering count toward work experience?
According to Chevening, eligible experience can include full-time and part-time employment, voluntary work and paid or unpaid internships. You can list up to fifteen employment periods, and the experience must be gained after your undergraduate degree over at least two years.
Do I need IELTS?
You must meet the English requirements of your university. Check Chevening’s and the university’s guidance.
Can I bring my family?
Chevening does not usually provide funding for dependants. Check the official guidance.
Can I reapply if I am not selected?
Yes. Many successful scholars applied more than once. Use the experience to strengthen your essays and work history.
What happens if I do not return home?
Returning home for two years is a condition of the scholarship.
Summary and Next Step
Chevening is a prestigious UK government scholarship for future leaders with work experience. Plan early, choose courses that match your career plan and write specific, evidence-based essays. If you are from a Commonwealth country, also consider the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships.