There aren’t many internationally recognized scholarships as prestigious as the Chevening Scholarships. Chevening may be the ideal choice if you’re seeking for a way to further your career while doing a fully funded master’s degree in the UK. It provides more than simply financial support because it is a program aimed at developing future global leaders. It also provides opportunities for worldwide networking, professional development, and leadership development.
The Chevening Scholarship Program allows ambitious people from qualifying nations to pay for their tuition, living expenses, and travel expenses, freeing them up to concentrate fully on their studies. With this scholarship, you can work towards your goals of expanding your academic horizons or deepening your field of expertise at any UK institution without having to worry about cost. Chevening has changed the lives of more than 50,000 professionals globally since its founding in 1983.
Do you have questions about how to apply or whether you qualify? We’ll go over how to apply, what qualifies, and all the information you need to increase your chances of getting a Chevening Scholarship in this post. This guide will assist you at every stage, from work experience requirements to tips on crafting a strong application.
Understanding Chevening Scholarship
The Chevening Scholarship is a prestigious, fully-funded international scholarship program offered by the UK government. It is designed to support outstanding individuals from Chevening-eligible countries who show leadership potential and academic excellence.
The scholarship provides recipients with the opportunity to pursue a one-year master’s degree at any UK university, covering tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and more. It is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and partner organizations, aiming to build lasting relationships between the UK and future global leaders.
Over 50,000 outstanding professionals from around the globe have studied in the UK thanks to Chevening’s assistance with government-funded scholarships and fellowships since 1983. Building international links, transforming communities, deepening and shifting perspectives, and advancing professions have all benefited from this exceptional opportunity.
The Chevening Scholarship Application Process
To apply for a Chevening Scholarship, follow these steps:
1. Visit the Application Portal: Go to www.chevening.org/apply and select your country from the dropdown menu.
2. Create an Account: Register on the Chevening portal by creating an account. Ensure your profile is updated with accurate personal information.
3. Check Eligibility: Complete a brief quiz to confirm your eligibility for the scholarship.
4. Complete the Application Form: Fill in the required details in the application form. You will need to submit the following documents:
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- Educational qualifications.
- English language proficiency results.
- Conditional or unconditional offers from up to three chosen courses of study.
- Passport or national ID.
- Two references (to be uploaded if invited for an interview).
5. Submit the Application: After completing the form and uploading the necessary documents, submit your application.
6. Assessment and Longlisting: Your application will be assessed based on Chevening’s eligibility criteria. If deemed eligible, it will be reviewed by independent reading committees, who will create a longlist.
7. Interview Stage: Longlisted candidates are required to attend an interview at the British embassy or high commission in the respective country. The interview, conducted in English, will evaluate your personal and professional goals and how the Chevening Scholarship can help achieve them.
8. Final Selection: Interview performance and alignment with Chevening’s global criteria will determine your final selection. You must submit at least one unconditional offer by the designated deadline to secure the scholarship.
The requirements to be eligible for Chevening Scholarships
To be eligible for a Chevening Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Citizenship: Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country (check the official website for the list of eligible countries).
- Return Requirement: You must return to your home country for at least two years after completing your scholarship.
- Educational Qualifications: Have completed an undergraduate degree that qualifies you for entry into a postgraduate program at a UK university. This is generally equivalent to a UK upper second-class 2:1 honours degree, but specific requirements may vary depending on the course and institution.
- Work Experience: Possess at least two years of work experience (equivalent to 2,800 hours).
- University Applications: Apply to three different eligible UK universities and secure at least one unconditional offer by July.
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Ineligibility for the Chevening Scholarship
You are not eligible if you:
- Hold British citizenship or dual citizenship (except for citizens of British Overseas Territories or BN(O) holders applying from Hong Kong).
- Hold refugee status in a non-Chevening eligible country. Refugees from eligible countries who reside in other eligible nations may apply.
- Have been employed by the British Government or its affiliated organizations within the past two years, including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, British embassies, and Chevening Partner organizations. Additionally, relatives of such employees are not eligible for Chevening Partner Awards.
- Have previously studied in the UK on a UK Government-funded scholarship.
Benefits of the Chevening Scholarship
The Chevening Scholarship offers comprehensive financial support, covering a wide range of expenses for successful applicants:
- University Tuition Fees: Full coverage of university tuition fees for the duration of your postgraduate course
- Monthly Stipend: A monthly stipend to cover living and accommodation expenses while studying in the UK.
- Travel Costs: Return economy class flights to and from the UK.
- Arrival and Departure Allowances: An arrival allowance to help settle in the UK and a departure allowance to assist with your return home after completing the scholarship.
- Visa and Testing Cost: Coverage for the cost of one visa application, and reimbursement for tuberculosis (TB) testing up to £75 if required for your visa.
- Chevening Events: A travel grant to attend official Chevening events during your stay in the UK.
Work Experience Requirement
To be eligible for a Chevening Scholarship, applicants must have at least two years of work experience, equivalent to 2,800 hours. The work experience requirement can be fulfilled through a variety of roles, including:
- Full-time employment
- Part-time employment
- Voluntary work
- Paid or unpaid internships
You can combine up to 15 different work periods to meet this requirement. However, work experience gained during mandatory employment as part of a degree program does not count towards the required hours.
List of countries eligible for the Chevening Scholarship
Here is a list of some of the countries eligible for the Chevening Scholarship:
- Afghanistan (Closed for applications)
- Albania (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Algeria (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Angola (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Anguilla (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Antigua and Barbuda (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Argentina (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Armenia (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Australia (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Azerbaijan (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Bahamas (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Bangladesh (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Barbados (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Belarus (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Belize (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Benin (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Bermuda (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Bhutan (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Bolivia (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Botswana (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Brazil (Open until 5 November 2024)
- British Virgin Islands (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Brunei (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Burkina Faso (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Burundi (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Cambodia (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Cameroon (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Canada (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Cape Verde (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Cayman Islands (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Central African Republic (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Chad (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Chile (Open until 5 November 2024)
- China (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Colombia (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Comoros (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Cook Islands (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Costa Rica (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Côte d’Ivoire (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Cuba (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Djibouti (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Dominica (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Dominican Republic (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Ecuador (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Egypt (Open until 5 November 2024)
- El Salvador (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Equatorial Guinea (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Eritrea (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Eswatini (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Ethiopia (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Falkland Islands (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Fiji (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Gabon (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Gambia (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Georgia (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Ghana (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Grenada (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Guatemala (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Guinea (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Guinea Bissau (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Guyana (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Haiti (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Honduras (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Hong Kong (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Iceland (Open until 5 November 2024)
- India (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Indonesia (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Iran (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Iraq (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Israel (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Jamaica (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Japan (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Jordan (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Kazakhstan (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Kenya (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Kiribati (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Kosovo (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Kyrgyzstan (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Laos (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Lebanon (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Lesotho (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Liberia (Open until 5 November 2024)
- Libya (Open until 5 November 2024)
FAQs for Chevening Scholarship
Is Nigeria eligible for the Chevening Scholarship?
Yes, Nigeria is eligible for the Chevening Scholarship. Nigerian citizens can apply for the scholarship, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
Is the Chevening Scholarship still open?
Applications for the year 2025–2026 The deadline for Chevening Scholarship applications is November 5, 2024, at 12:00 (GMT). June 2025 is when the successful applications will be revealed. Should you be one of them, your studies in the UK will start in September or October of 2025.
Who is eligible for British Chevening Scholarship?
To be eligible for the Chevening Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country.
- Return to their country of citizenship for at least two years after completing their studies.
- Have at least two years of work experience.
- Apply to three eligible UK university courses and receive an unconditional offer from one of them.
- Meet Chevening’s English language requirements (if necessary).
Do I need IELTS for a Chevening Scholarship?
While Chevening no longer requires an English language test like IELTS for the scholarship application, applicants must meet the language requirements of the UK universities they are applying to, which may require IELTS or an equivalent exam.
Does Chevening pay for visa?
Yes, Chevening covers the cost of the UK student visa for its scholars, along with other necessary expenses, such as travel costs and tuition fees.
Can I stay in the UK after my Chevening Scholarship?
No, Chevening scholars are required to return to their home country for at least two years after completing their scholarship. This is a core condition of the Chevening Award.
Do I have to return after Chevening Scholarship?
Yes, as part of the Chevening Scholarship terms, scholars must return to their home country and remain there for at least two years after completing their studies in the UK.
How to win a Chevening scholarship?
To increase your chances of winning a Chevening Scholarship, you should:
- Have clear career goals and demonstrate leadership potential.
- Show a strong commitment to returning to your home country and contributing positively.
- Select three relevant UK universities and courses that align with your goals.
- Write strong, persuasive essays showcasing your achievements, leadership skills, and vision for the future.
- Ensure you meet all eligibility requirements and submit a well-prepared application before the deadline.