Chevening Scholarships In the UK

Fully-funded scholarships to undertake any master’s course at any UK university. And so much more…

Chevening Scholarships enable outstanding emerging leaders from all over the world to pursue one-year master’s degrees in the UK. Whilst there is no ‘typical’ Chevening Scholar, we are looking for the kind of people who have the passion, ideas, and influence to provide the solutions and leadership needed to create a better future.

Because these scholarships are fully funded (flights, accommodation, and course fees are all included), you are free to focus on achieving your professional goals and maximizing the experience of a lifetime. You will live and study in the UK for a year, during which time you will develop professionally and academically, network extensively, experience UK culture, and build lasting positive relationships with the UK. On completing your studies, you will leave the UK equipped with the knowledge and networks necessary to bring your own ideas to life.

Who can apply for a Chevening Scholarship?

Applications for fully funded Chevening Scholarships to study for one-year master’s degrees at UK universities are now closed.

Chevening enables outstanding emerging leaders from all over the world to pursue one-year master’s degrees in the UK.

There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ Chevening Scholar, but those who are successful tend to have ambition, leadership qualities, and a passion for influencing positive change in their home countries.

We encourage you to apply if you meet our eligibility criteria and other requirements. Your gender, age (there is no upper age limit), sexual orientation, religion, marriage or parenthood status, caste, class, or other attributes do not matter to us. What matters is your ability to submit a thoughtful application that demonstrates you are capable of excelling on an intense master’s course in the UK, and that you have a clear vision for your future.

To be eligible for a Chevening Scholarship you must:

• Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory.
• Return to your country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after your award has ended.
• Have completed all components of an undergraduate degree that will enable you to gain entry onto a postgraduate programme at a UK university by the time you submit your application. This is typically equivalent to an upper second-class 2:1 honours degree in the UK but may be different depending on your course and university choice.
• Have at least two years (equivalent to 2,800 hours) of work experience.
• Apply to three different eligible UK university courses and receive an unconditional offer from one of these choices by the deadline listed on the application timeline.

You are not eligible for a Chevening Scholarship if you:

• Hold British or dual British citizenship (unless you are a citizen of a British Overseas Territory or hold BN(O) and are applying from Hong Kong).
• Hold refugee status in a non-Chevening eligible country. Applicants who are citizens of a Chevening-eligible country and who hold refugee status in a Chevening-eligible country are eligible for a scholarship.
• Are an employee, a former employee, or relative* of an employee of His Majesty’s Government, or have been within the last two years from the opening of Chevening applications  (including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, all British Embassies/High Commissions, the Home Office, the Ministry of Defence, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Department for International Trade and the UKVI), the British Council, a sponsoring UK university, or a staff member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
• Employees, former employees, or relatives* of an employee of Chevening Partner organisations are eligible to apply, but if the employment took place within the last two years, you cannot receive a Chevening Partner Award from the organisation from which you work, previously worked, or are affiliated with through relatives.
• Have previously studied in the UK with funding from a UK Government-funded scholarship.

Having a master’s degree does not prevent you from applying for a Chevening Award to study for a second master’s degree in the UK, as long as you can clearly explain why it will help you fulfil your career plan to influence positive change in your home country.

Once submitted, applications undergo an electronic sift against our eligibility criteria. Any applications deemed ineligible will be removed from the selection process. Please see the list of common errors here. If you make these errors in your application form, your application will be ineligible. Please note that once your application has been submitted, it is not possible to change it retrospectively.

Eligible types of work experience

The types of work experience that are eligible for Chevening can include:

• Full-time employment
• Part-time employment
• Voluntary work
• Paid or unpaid internships

Work experience can be completed before, during, or after graduating from your undergraduate studies, however, any mandatory employment that counted towards your undergraduate or postgraduate course would not be eligible.

You do not need to meet the work experience requirement in one period of employment. Applicants can submit up to fifteen different employment periods in order to meet the requirement. If you have held more than fifteen positions then please enter the periods which make up the greatest number of hours worked.

If you are currently employed, it is not a requirement of Chevening that you resign from your position. You are advised to discuss your application with your employer and it is your responsibility to ensure that they will release you if you are selected for a Chevening Scholarship. You can refer them to the employers page on our website. The British embassy/high commission or the Chevening Secretariat cannot intervene in this.

How to calculate your work experience

Your entries will be calculated automatically by multiplying the number of weeks worked by the number of hours worked per week. For this calculation, a working week comprises 35-60 hours and a working year comprises 40-50 weeks. Anything that exceeds the upper limit for full-time employment will be deemed ineligible.

The minimum number of hours an applicant must have before applying for a Chevening Scholarship is as follows:

• Chevening Scholarships – two years’ work experience = 2,800 hours

If you have worked part-time, the minimum requirement will have been accumulated over a longer period.

What does a Chevening Scholarship cover? 

The Chevening Programme includes a tailored engagement programme creating opportunities for scholars to network with each other as well as alumni, the FCDO, high profile speakers and partner organisations. Award recipients receive:

• Payment of tuition fees
• Economy travel to and from your country of residence by an approved route for you only
• An arrival allowance
• The cost of an entry clearance (visa) application for you only
• A departure allowance
• A contribution of up to £75 for TB testing, where this is required
• A travel top up allowance
• A monthly personal living allowance (stipend) to cover accommodation and living expenses. The monthly stipend will depend on whether you are studying inside or outside London. These rates are subject to annual review.

Preparation is key to giving yourself the best chance of being awarded a fully funded Chevening Scholarship to study in the UK. To help you, we’ve collated our best guidance and advice.

It will enable you to:

• Find the right courses
• Choose appropriate references
• Avoid common mistakes that other applicants make

You’ll also find our terms and conditions. If your application is successful, you’ll need to agree to these before accepting your award.

We wish you all the best of luck and can’t wait to welcome those of you who are successful to our diverse and global community!

Common errors

Don’t fall for the same errors that past applicants have made.

Below are examples of the most common errors that Chevening applicants have made in their application form. As a result of these errors, applications are deemed ineligible and applicants are not taken through to the next stage of the competition.

If your application has been deemed ineligible, please refer to the below to understand what error you may have made. If you’re yet to submit an application, read this to avoid making the same mistakes others have.

Pre-screen

Applicants must correctly answer all parts of the eligibility pre-screen in order to access the application form. An incorrect answer to one of these questions would result in the applicant failing the pre-screen stage of the application.

Application form

Applicants must correctly complete all parts of the application form to be considered eligible. Only eligible applications will be processed. Below are the sections of the application form where applicants have made the most common errors.

Personal details

Applicants who indicate they have dual citizenship from the United Kingdom cannot be considered for an award.

Work experience

Applicants are required to have worked a minimum of 2,800 hours. Those who cannot demonstrate that they have worked the minimum number of hours cannot be considered for a scholarship.

Your work experience will be calculated automatically by multiplying the number of weeks worked by the number of hours worked per week. For this calculation, a working week comprises 35-60 hours and a working year comprises 40-50 weeks.

Some common errors applicants made are:

• Not meeting the minimum number of hours worked prior to submitting their application.
• Not entering the correct total number of weeks worked for each year of employment.
• Entering an unrealistic number of hours or weeks worked (e.g. 2,000 hours rather than 20 hours per week).
• Entering the same work experience entry more than once.

UK university

Applicants who enter duplicate courses at the same universities cannot be considered for a scholarship. Applicants must select three different courses.

Declaration

This section of the application form requires the applicant to correctly answer a number of statements to be considered eligible. If an applicant is not able to confirm that these statements apply to them, they will be deemed ineligible.

Applicants are asked to think carefully and select one of the two options available against each statement (e.g. ‘Yes’ or ‘No’).

This is an example of a statement that the applicant will be asked to answer: ‘I confirm that I am not employed (and have not been employed since 1 July 2018) in a permanent or temporary role in the following organisations; His Majesty’s Government, or the Association of Commonwealth Universities. If an applicant answers ‘No’ then this indicates the applicant is employed by one of these institutions and therefore cannot be considered for an award.

Application questions word count

Applicants must meet the minimum word count in the essay questions. If the minimum word count is not met, your application will be deemed ineligible.

Repetition

Applicants should not repeat answers to any of the essay questions, and should enter new and original answers for each of the four questions. Please do not copy and paste the same answers into more than one box as this will make an application invalid.

Plagiarism

All applications are run through plagiarism software, which compares the content of the application against online sources. If an applicant commits plagiarism, they will be disqualified. Applicants are allowed to insert quotations but must acknowledge the source as they would in an academic essay.

Use of English language

Applicants must complete the application form in English. If the application form is not completed in English, it will be deemed ineligible.

Courses

You will need to select three different master’s courses. These can be three different courses at the same institution or three similar courses at up to three different universities.

Applicants are required to select three-course choices when applying for a Chevening Award. This means that you will have alternative options if, for any reason, you are not offered a place on your first-course option. It also provides our assessors with a clearer picture of your career goals and they may suggest your second or third course choice as a more suitable option for a Chevening Award.

Choose your three courses carefully. You will not be able to change your course choices after submitting your application unless you are granted permission to do so at the interview stage. You will need to apply separately to your selected courses directly via the university. Please apply as soon as possible to ensure you get a place. To be awarded a scholarship, you must get an unconditional offer for one of your course choices by the deadline in our application timeline for your application year.

We recommend selecting three similar courses at three different universities to increase the likelihood that you will gain entry into one of them.

Please note that the course titles do not have to match exactly, but all three courses should be similar in content. You should select courses that reflect your current or future career goals.

Eligible courses

In order to be eligible, the courses you choose must be full-time, and:

• Start in the autumn term (usually September/October)
• Taught master’s (i.e. not research-focused MRes programs)
• Lead to a master’s degree qualification
• Based in the UK

Courses cannot be:

• Part-time
• Distance learning
• Less than nine months in duration
• More than 12 months in duration
• PhD or DPhil
• Taught with more than one month of study outside the UK

Use our course finder to browse eligible master’s degrees at universities across the UK.

Application timeline

The process of selecting Chevening Scholars takes a minimum of eight months from the application deadline to when applicants are conditionally selected for an award. Here is an overview of the application and selection process, so you always know what’s going on.

APPLICATIONS OPEN AT 12:00 BST | 12 SEPTEMBER 2023

APPLICATIONS CLOSE AT 12:00 GMT | 7 NOVEMBER 2023

list of universities in Chevening Scholarship

Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is recognised as one of the UK’s truly outstanding universities, with a commitment to student satisfaction, graduate employment, and teaching quality.

The University of Hull

The University of Hull is one of the oldest universities in England. It is committed to social justice and sustainability, and serious about its role in the economic, social and cultural life of its city and the global reach of its work.

Trinity College, University of Oxford

Trinity College is part of the University of Oxford which is ranked 1st in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2021.

Cranfield University

Cranfield University is a world-class postgraduate institution whose aim is to change the world for the better.

The University of York

A member of the elite Russell Group of universities, York is a dynamic, research-intensive university committed to the development of life-saving discoveries and new technologies to tackle some of the most pressing global challenges.

Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies

The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is a Recognized Independent Centre of the University of Oxford, established in 1985 and incorporated by Royal Charter. Its Patron is HRH The Prince of Wales.

Newcastle University

Newcastle University is one of the UK’s leading research universities with a proud history dating back to 1834 and a reputation for academic excellence and amazing student experience.

University of Bath

The University of Bath, School of Management is one of the UK’s leading business schools.

University of Central Lancashire

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in Preston was founded in 1828 as the Institution for the Diffusion of Knowledge

University of Warwick

Located in the heart of England, the University of Warwick is a leading UK university, quickly establishing an international reputation for excellence and is consistently listed in the UK’s Top 10 universities

University of Stirling

The University of Stirling is top in Scotland and third in the UK for university graduate employability among institutions with more than 500 respondents, according to statistics released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

University of Sussex

The University of Sussex is a leading research-intensive university, currently ranked in the top 20 of all major UK league tables, and is the best university in the world for development studies (QS World Rankings by subject 2017).

University of Surrey

Surrey Business School has a reputation for enterprise, cutting-edge thinking, and academically rigorous research, providing world-class business, economic, and management education to students from around the globe

University of Southampton

The University of Southampton is a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive UK universities

University of Cambridge

Founded in 1209, Cambridge is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world’s fourth-oldest surviving university.

Brunel University London

Brunel University London, founded in 1966, is the largest campus-based university in London. Home to 13,000 students from over 110 countries worldwide, Brunel offers a wide range of foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Durham University

Founded in 1832, Durham University is consistently ranked among the top five universities in the UK and the top 100 institutions in the world.

University of Birmingham

The University has been challenging and developing great minds for more than a century.

University of Liverpool

The University of Liverpool is a member of the Russell Group of 24 research-led UK universities and is ranked in the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide

Why study in the UK?

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

The UK has internationally acclaimed creative industries that have consistently generated global talents. Whether you’re into music, film, theatre, or fashion, you’re sure to get your fix amongst the many music festivals, film premieres, major theatre shows, exhibitions, and museums in this arts and culture haven.

CUISINE

Although there’s nothing quite like fish and chips by the sea, or a warm cottage pie on a winter’s night, the UK has moved beyond its traditional staples to embrace new cuisines. New takes on old favorites are making it the first choice for foodies. Don’t worry though, there are still plenty of classic pubs if you’re craving a hearty Full English!

ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS

Studying in the UK allows you to immerse yourself in the English language for a sustained period of time. You’ll master the global language of commerce, science, and technology. Knowing multiple languages is highly valuable since countries are becoming increasingly interconnected and companies now serve a global market.

DIVERSITY

The UK is one of the most diverse countries in the world and has a long history of welcoming visitors, especially students, from around the globe. Living in the UK exposes you to a variety of cultures, opinions, and experiences. You’ll leave with friends from places that you didn’t even know existed!

FRIENDLY PEOPLE

Forget the stereotypes that British people have a ‘dry’ sense of humor and only talk about the weather. Scratch the surface and you’ll find kind strangers everywhere you look. Whether it’s a helpful local or a chatty barkeeper, Brits continue to welcome people of all nationalities, cultures, and faiths, as it has done throughout its history.

GREAT OUTDOORS

Despite depictions of gloomy weather, the UK is actually abundant in natural beauty. From the Scottish Highlands to the Lake District, Snowdonia, and the Isle of Wight, nature lovers will truly be in their element. The UK’s excellent transport network also makes it easy to get away for the weekend to rest and reconnect with nature.

HISTORY AND HERITAGE

Packed with historic monuments, stately homes, castles, and cathedrals, there are countless well-preserved sites of historical interest in the UK. You might visit the house in which Shakespeare was born; discover one of Europe’s most recognizable prehistoric monuments, or overlook the Scottish capital from Edinburgh Castle.

LITERATURE

The UK is brimming with famous authors, from Shakespeare to Austen, Dahl, Dickens, and Woolf, who was inspired by UK culture and the societies in which they lived. Study in the UK and you can visit the very places where these timeless works are set, experiencing Britain of generations past (both real and fictitious).

ONE-YEAR DEGREES

Master’s courses in the UK typically last for one year, which is shorter than in many other countries. Master’s degrees are challenging but UK universities provide an environment for students to flourish, whilst developing their skills. It is no wonder that student satisfaction rates are almost at 90% for international students.

SPORTING NATION

The UK is home to Premier League football, and it annually hosts the London Marathon, F1 Grand Prix, Wimbledon, and many other events. But the UK is more than just a good place to watch elite sport. For those who like participating in sport, access to facilities is affordable for students and, in many places, free.

FAQs

FAQs

When will I receive my departure allowance?

Your departure allowance will be paid with your final stipend payment.

Can I work whilst studying?

As a Chevening Scholar, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) expects your priority to be your studies, but they do acknowledge that gaining some work experience in the UK can be beneficial for your career and overall experience. However you must ensure that any work you do is within the conditions of your visa, […]

I have a personal contribution, who do I pay this to?  

If you are required to make a personal contribution to your tuition fees, it will be written in your final award letter. Your university will invoice you directly for your contribution and it is your responsibility to make the payment and meet any payment terms. If after receiving your invoice, you are unclear about how […]

My university is asking me to pay a tuition fee deposit, what should I do?

Some universities require a tuition fee deposit either because you have deferred your place from the previous year or to secure your unconditional offer. Chevening will not pay this deposit and it is your responsibility to secure your university offer. In some cases, the university may be able to postpone payment of the deposit if […]

What happens if I lose my cash card?

A replacement card will be provided. However, there will be a fee to issue a new cash card and for the transfer of funds. This fee will be applied to you and deducted from the amount transferred on your replacement card. Please advise your programme officer or the fellowships team as soon as possible if your […]

What does a Chevening Scholarship cover? 

The Chevening Programme includes a tailored engagement programme creating opportunities for scholars to network with each other as well as alumni, the FCDO, high profile speakers and partner organisations. Award recipients receive: Payment of tuition fees Economy travel to and from your country of residence by an approved route for you only An arrival allowance […]

When will my cash card have money on it?

You will receive your cash card prior to your departure for the UK. The funds will be credited one day after your arrival in the UK.

Do I need to set up a UK bank account?

Yes, you will need to set up a UK bank account following your arrival. Your stipend will initially be paid to your cash card then to your bank account. What will be included on my cash card? Your cash card will include: An arrival allowance (which is intended to cover any expenditure incurred prior to […]

What will be included on my cash card?

Your cash card will include: An arrival allowance (which is intended to cover any expenditure incurred prior to the commencement of your course and immediately following your arrival in the UK) Your living allowance to cover the period from your course start date until the end of October (paid pro-rata depending on your course start […]

How do I activate my cash card?

You will receive an email with instructions for activating your cash card once your scholarship is confirmed and prior to your arrival in the UK.