Chevening does not target the strongest academic transcript in the room. It is built for people who already have real work experience and a track record of leadership, and who can show a UK master’s degree will help them make a bigger impact when they return home. That distinction shapes almost every part of how the application is judged.
What Chevening funds
Chevening Scholarships are fully funded, one year taught master’s degrees at any UK university, supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organisations. Around 1,800 scholarships are awarded globally each year across more than 160 eligible countries and territories.
Chevening Scholarships 2027/28 application timeline
Stage Date
- Applications open: August 4, 2026, 11:00 UTC
- Applications close: October 6, 2026, 11:00 UTC
- Application review: October 2026 to January 2027
- Shortlisting for interview: Mid February 2027
- Interviews: March to April 2027
- Deadline to secure an unconditional university offer: July 8, 2027, 16:00 BST
- Scholars begin studies: September/October 2027
The October 6 deadline is a hard cutoff. The online application system closes completely at that time and will not accept late submissions, so build in time for reference checks and essay revisions well before it.
Eligibility
- Citizen of a Chevening eligible country or territory, of which there are more than 160
- Undergraduate degree that qualifies you for entry to a UK master’s program, completed at least two years before the application deadline
- At least two years of work experience, equivalent to roughly 2,800 hours, accumulated after your undergraduate degree
- Return to your country of award for a minimum of two years once the scholarship ends
- No minimum GPA is stated, though strong academic credentials strengthen an application
You do not need a university offer before applying to Chevening itself, but you must apply to three different eligible master’s courses and secure an unconditional offer from at least one of them by the later July deadline.
What the scholarship covers
Chevening covers tuition fees, a monthly living stipend that varies by location (higher for scholars based in London), and travel costs to and from the UK. For MBA programs specifically, Chevening contributes up to £22,000 toward tuition, and applicants should check whether additional funding is required to cover the balance.
Selection criteria
Chevening panels assess four things: leadership and influence, networking ability, a clear and specific career plan showing how the UK degree translates into impact at home, and the strength of your study proposal. This is why generic personal statements tend to underperform. Reviewers are looking for evidence, not intentions.
Common mistakes applicants make
- Waiting until close to October 6 to start essays, leaving no time for revision or reference collection.
- Writing about leadership in the abstract instead of describing specific decisions, outcomes, and what you would do differently.
- Choosing three master’s courses that do not clearly connect to the career plan described in the application.
- Underestimating the two year, 2,800 hour work experience requirement and applying too early in a career.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do 2027/28 Chevening applications close?
11:00 UTC on October 6, 2026.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL to apply to Chevening?
Chevening itself does not require it, though individual UK universities and courses may.
How much work experience do I need?
At least two years, equivalent to about 2,800 hours, after completing your undergraduate degree.
Related opportunities: work on your application essays using our scholarship application essay guide. Browse more fully funded scholarships and other United Kingdom funding options.
Apply: Chevening -Apply
Official information: Chevening Scholarships
Kukual verifies scholarship details against official sponsor pages at the time of publication. Confirm current stipend rates and deadlines on Chevening’s official site before applying.
