Chevening Scholarship: Fully Funded UK Study Guide

About the Chevening Scholarship

The exact 2027 application window is not confirmed here, but the Chevening scholarship is a running annual programme, and applications for the next round usually open in August. This is the UK government’s flagship award, and it pays for a one-year master’s degree at any accredited British university. Because it targets emerging leaders, it draws applicants from more than 160 countries every year.

The programme is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and by partner organisations. It has supported tens of thousands of graduates since 1983, many of whom now hold senior roles in government, business, and civil society.

Who Runs Chevening

Chevening is managed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. British embassies and high commissions handle promotion and interviews in each country. You study at a UK university of your choice, so the host institution depends on where you win a place. The scheme is open to almost every accredited UK institution, which gives you wide flexibility in picking a course.

Study Level and Eligible Fields

The chevening scholarship funds full-time master’s study only. It does not cover undergraduate, MBA-only exceptions aside, or PhD programmes. You can apply for taught master’s courses across most subjects, because Chevening does not restrict you to a fixed list of fields. However, your chosen course must start in the relevant UK academic year and last one year full-time.

How Many Chevening Awards Are Offered

Chevening awards around 1,500 scholarships worldwide each year, though the exact figure shifts with the annual budget. Country-level quotas vary, so the number available in your country depends on local funding and partnerships. The precise slot count for your nation is not fixed here, and you should confirm it on the official site during your cycle.

Who Can Apply for Chevening

The programme targets people early in their leadership journey who want to shape their home country’s future. You must be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country and plan to return home after study. In addition, the award favours applicants with clear career goals and a strong networking and leadership record. It is designed for professionals, not fresh school leavers.

What the Chevening Scholarship Covers

The award is fully funded, so it removes the main cost barriers to studying in the UK. Benefits generally include the following:

• Full university tuition fees for your one-year master’s.
• A monthly living stipend to cover accommodation and daily costs.
• Return economy airfare between your country and the UK.
• An arrival allowance and a departure allowance.
• A visa application cost and, where applicable, a travel grant for Chevening events.

The funding runs for the length of your one-year course. It does not extend to dependants, so partners and children are not funded.

Eligibility Requirements

You should check the full criteria on the official website, because they are applied strictly. In general, you must meet these conditions:

• Hold citizenship of a Chevening-eligible country.
• Return to your home country for at least two years after the scholarship ends.
• Hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies you for UK postgraduate entry.
• Have at least two years of work experience, roughly 2,800 hours.
• Apply to three eligible UK master’s courses and receive an unconditional offer from one by the stated deadline.

Staff of the UK government, some past scholarship holders, and employees of certain organisations are not eligible. Read the exclusions carefully before you start.

Application Process for the Chevening Scholarship

Applications are submitted online through the official Chevening portal during the open window. For the 2027 cycle, expect the window to open around August, but confirm the exact date on the official site because it can shift year to year. Late submissions are not accepted, so treat the closing date as firm.

The main steps run as follows:

1. Create an account on the online application system.
2. Choose three eligible UK master’s courses.
3. Complete the essays on leadership, networking, study choice, and career plan.
4. Submit before the deadline and wait for shortlisting.
5. Attend an interview at your local British embassy or high commission if selected.

You will need supporting documents at set stages, including:

• A valid passport or national ID.
• University transcripts and degree certificates.
• Two reference letters.
• An unconditional UK university offer letter by the required date.

For queries, use the contact and help pages on the official Chevening website, since email and support channels are listed there.

Official Chevening Website

You can read the full details and start your application through the official page here: Chevening Scholarship official information. Confirm every date and requirement there before you apply, because the details update each cycle.