Applications are now open for the 2027–2028 Chevening Scholarships, one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious fully funded scholarship programmes for emerging leaders from around the world.
Chevening Scholarships enable successful applicants to pursue a:
One-year master’s degree
at an eligible university in the:
United Kingdom.
The programme is funded by the:
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office — FCDO
together with:
Partner organisations.
Chevening is designed for individuals with leadership potential who want to develop the knowledge, professional networks and academic experience needed to create positive change in their home countries.
For the 2027–2028 academic cycle, applications opened on:
4 August 2026
and will close on:
6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.
Successful scholars are expected to begin their studies in the UK in:
September or October 2027.
Chevening Scholarship 2027–2028 Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Chevening Scholarship |
| Academic year | 2027–2028 |
| Country of study | United Kingdom |
| Degree level | Master’s |
| Duration | One year |
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Applicants | Citizens of Chevening-eligible countries and territories |
| Applications opened | 4 August 2026 |
| Deadline | 6 October 2026 |
| Deadline time | 11:00 UTC |
| Interviews | March–April 2027 |
| Results | From mid-June 2027 |
| University offer deadline | 8 July 2027 |
| Studies begin | September/October 2027 |
| Work experience | At least 2,800 hours |
| Courses required | Three eligible UK master’s courses |
| Age limit | No upper age limit |
What Is the Chevening Scholarship?
Chevening is the UK Government’s international scholarship programme for individuals who demonstrate the potential to become influential leaders in their countries and professional fields.
The scholarship allows successful candidates to complete a:
One-year postgraduate master’s programme
at a UK university.
Chevening Scholars come from a large number of countries and territories around the world.
The programme aims to help participants develop:
Academic Knowledge
Professional Skills
Leadership Capacity
and
International Networks.
Applications Are Now Open
The 2027–2028 Chevening Scholarship application cycle is currently:
Open.
Applications officially opened on:
4 August 2026 at 11:00 UTC.
The deadline is:
6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.
Applicants should not wait until the final day because access to the online application system ends after the deadline.
Chevening Scholarship Deadline
The final application deadline for the current scholarship cycle is:
6 October 2026
at:
11:00 UTC.
Applications cannot be submitted after the system closes.
Candidates should calculate the corresponding deadline in their local time zone.
What Does the Chevening Scholarship Cover?
Chevening describes its scholarships as:
Fully funded.
This means successful scholars can focus on their studies and professional development while living in the UK.
Exact award conditions may vary depending on the scholar, country or university arrangements, so applicants should review their country-specific award information.
One-Year Master’s Degree
Chevening Scholarships are intended for:
UK master’s degrees.
Applicants must select eligible courses that meet Chevening’s programme requirements.
The standard scholarship supports a:
One-year master’s programme.
Who Can Apply for Chevening?
Candidates must satisfy the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Among the major requirements, applicants should:
Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory
Have completed an undergraduate degree that enables admission to a UK master’s programme
Have at least two years of eligible work experience
and
Commit to returning to their home country after completing the scholarship.
Work Experience Requirement
Applicants must have at least:
2,800 hours of work experience.
Chevening describes this as approximately:
Two years of work experience.
Candidates must already meet the minimum work-experience requirement:
Before submitting the application.
Applicants cannot rely on experience they expect to gain between applying and beginning their studies.
What Work Experience Counts?
Candidates should review the current Chevening eligibility guidance to determine which forms of experience qualify.
Work experience is reported through the application system, including details such as:
Employer
Job title
and
Employment dates.
Candidates shortlisted for interviews may later need references that can be verified.
Undergraduate Degree Requirement
Applicants must have:
An undergraduate degree
that enables them to gain admission to an eligible postgraduate programme at a UK university.
The exact academic requirements vary between universities and courses.
Three UK Master’s Courses
Chevening applicants must select:
Three UK master’s degree courses
in their scholarship application.
These courses should meet Chevening’s eligibility rules.
Applicants should research their options carefully rather than choosing courses simply because they have similar titles.
University Applications Are Separate
Applying for the Chevening Scholarship does not automatically constitute an application to a UK university.
Candidates must also:
Apply separately to universities.
Applicants are encouraged to begin university applications as early as possible after submitting their Chevening application.
Unconditional University Offer
Candidates who successfully reach the later stages of the scholarship process must eventually obtain:
At least one unconditional offer
from an eligible UK university course.
For the 2027–2028 cycle, the deadline for submitting at least one unconditional university offer is:
8 July 2027
at:
17:00 BST.
Leadership Potential
Chevening places significant emphasis on:
Leadership
and
Influence.
Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate real examples of occasions when they:
Led people
Influenced decisions
Solved important problems
or
Created positive change.
Strong answers usually focus on specific situations rather than simply stating that the applicant is a leader.
Networking
Chevening also places strong value on applicants who can build and maintain:
Professional Relationships
and
Networks.
Candidates should think about examples showing how they have:
Connected people
Built partnerships
Collaborated across organisations
or
Used professional relationships to achieve results.
Career Plan
Applicants should have a clear understanding of:
What they want to achieve after their studies.
A strong career plan should connect:
The applicant’s previous experience
with
Their proposed UK degree
and
The impact they want to create after returning home.
Returning to Your Home Country
Successful applicants must commit to returning to their:
Home country
for at least:
Two years
after completing their scholarship.
This requirement reflects Chevening’s goal of helping scholars use their UK education to create impact in their own countries.
Previous UK Government Scholarships
Applicants should carefully review eligibility if they have previously studied in the UK through:
UK Government-funded scholarship support.
Current Chevening guidance states that applicants must not previously have studied in the UK with a UK government-funded scholarship.
Is There an Age Limit?
No.
Chevening states that there is:
No upper age limit
for Chevening Award applications.
Applicants are assessed on eligibility, experience, leadership potential and the quality of their application rather than age alone.
Can Applicants From Africa Apply?
Yes.
Many African countries are included among Chevening-eligible countries and territories.
These include countries such as:
Zimbabwe
South Africa
Zambia
Botswana
Ghana
Kenya
Nigeria
Rwanda
Uganda
Tanzania
and many others.
Candidates should search their country through Chevening’s official award finder to confirm available awards.
Chevening Scholarship for Zimbabwe
Applications for the:
2027–2028 Chevening Scholarship in Zimbabwe
are currently open.
The deadline is:
6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.
Zimbabwean applicants who meet all eligibility requirements can apply through the official Chevening application platform.
Chevening Scholarship for South Africa
South Africa appears among the eligible countries in Chevening’s current award search.
Applicants should select:
South Africa
through the official country finder and review the country-specific scholarship information.
Chevening Scholarship for Nigeria
Nigeria is also among the countries represented in the Chevening award system.
Eligible Nigerian professionals can explore the current scholarship cycle and available country-specific guidance.
Chevening Scholarship for Kenya
Kenyan candidates can also explore Chevening Scholarship opportunities through the official country search.
Applicants must still satisfy the general eligibility and work-experience requirements.
Chevening Application Timeline 2027–2028
4 August 2026
Applications opened at 11:00 UTC.
Candidates could begin completing and submitting applications through the online platform.
6 October 2026
Applications close at 11:00 UTC.
Applications cannot be submitted after this deadline.
From October 2026
Applications are reviewed against:
Eligibility requirements.
Applicants who do not satisfy the requirements are removed from further consideration.
Mid-October 2026 to January 2027
Eligible applications are assessed by:
Independent reading committees.
This stage involves evaluating the strength of submitted applications.
Mid-February 2027
Candidates selected for the next stage are notified that they have been:
Shortlisted for interviews.
British embassies and high commissions are involved in producing interview shortlists.
March to April 2027
Interviews take place.
Candidates around the world are interviewed by panels based at:
British Embassies
and
High Commissions.
Interview Documents
Candidates invited to interviews must upload required documents to the online system at least:
Seven working days before the interview.
Documents include:
Photo identification
Undergraduate education certificate or diploma
and
Reference letters.
Mid-June 2027
Chevening expects scholarship results to be announced from:
Mid-June 2027.
Successful applicants then move toward finalising university offers and other requirements.
8 July 2027
Successful interview candidates must have received and submitted:
At least one unconditional UK university offer
by:
17:00 BST on 8 July 2027.
September or October 2027
Successful Chevening Scholars begin their studies in the:
United Kingdom.
They also become part of the wider:
Chevening international network.
Chevening Alumni Network
Completing the scholarship does not end a scholar’s connection with Chevening.
The programme has a global alumni network of more than:
60,000 people.
This network includes professionals and leaders working across a wide range of:
Countries
Industries
and
Public-service areas.
Choosing Your Chevening Courses
Candidates should select three programmes that strongly connect to their:
Previous education
Professional experience
and
Future career goals.
Applicants should research:
Course modules
University strengths
Faculty expertise
Career outcomes
and
How the degree connects to their intended impact.
Avoid Choosing Courses Randomly
Course choice is an important part of the overall application.
Applicants should be able to clearly explain:
Why this course
Why this university
and
Why the United Kingdom.
Preparing a Competitive Chevening Application
Chevening describes the scholarship application process as:
Competitive
and
Challenging.
Candidates should prepare well before submitting.
Start With Eligibility
Before spending significant time on essays, confirm that you meet:
Citizenship requirements
Academic requirements
Work-experience requirements
and
Return-home requirements.
Prepare Leadership Examples
Develop several strong examples showing how you have:
Taken initiative
Led change
Influenced others
and
Created measurable results.
Whenever possible, explain:
The situation
What you personally did
and
What happened as a result.
Build Strong Networking Examples
Avoid describing networking simply as:
Meeting people.
Instead, explain how relationships helped you:
Solve a problem
Build collaboration
Create an opportunity
or
Achieve an important goal.
Connect Your Degree to Your Career
A competitive application should create a logical story:
Past experience → Current goals → UK master’s degree → Future impact.
If these elements appear disconnected, the application may be less convincing.
Research UK Universities Early
Candidates should not wait until interview selection before researching universities.
Because university admissions operate separately, applicants should start preparing:
Academic transcripts
References
Personal statements
and
University applications
early.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
Generic leadership examples
Unclear career goals
Weak connections between course choices and career plans
Submitting at the last minute
and
Ignoring eligibility requirements.
Is Chevening Fully Funded?
Yes.
Chevening officially describes its scholarship as:
Fully funded.
Candidates should nevertheless read their country-specific scholarship information and terms for the exact financial provisions associated with their award.
Can You Study Any Master’s Degree?
No.
The course must satisfy Chevening’s:
Course eligibility requirements.
Applicants can use the official:
Chevening Course Finder
to research eligible programmes.
Can You Apply Without a University Offer?
Yes.
Candidates do not need to have an unconditional offer before initially submitting their Chevening Scholarship application.
However, successful candidates eventually need at least one qualifying unconditional offer before:
8 July 2027.
Can You Apply to Chevening and Universities at the Same Time?
Yes.
In fact, candidates are encouraged to begin university applications early.
Do You Need Two Years of Continuous Employment?
The programme measures work experience using:
Hours.
The minimum requirement is:
2,800 hours.
Applicants should review the official guidance for accepted categories of work experience and how separate experiences can be counted.
Can Recent Graduates Apply?
Potentially, yes.
A candidate can apply if they already satisfy:
Degree
Work experience
and
Other eligibility requirements.
Recent graduation alone does not automatically establish eligibility.
Can Current Students Apply?
Eligibility depends on whether the candidate already holds an undergraduate degree that qualifies them for admission to a UK master’s degree and meets the remaining requirements.
Can PhD Holders Apply?
Holding advanced qualifications does not automatically exclude someone, provided the applicant meets current Chevening eligibility conditions.
The scholarship itself is for:
Eligible master’s study in the UK.
Is IELTS Required for Chevening?
Applicants should check the admission requirements of their chosen universities.
Chevening application requirements and individual university English-language requirements are not necessarily identical.
Candidates should follow the current rules of the universities to which they apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Chevening Scholarship applications open?
Yes.
Applications for:
2027–2028 Chevening Scholarships
are currently open.
When is the Chevening deadline?
Applications close:
6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.
When did applications open?
Applications opened:
4 August 2026 at 11:00 UTC.
Is Chevening fully funded?
Yes.
The programme officially describes Chevening Scholarships as:
Fully funded.
What degree can I study?
Chevening supports eligible:
One-year UK master’s degrees.
How much work experience do I need?
At least:
2,800 hours.
Do I need a bachelor’s degree?
Applicants need an undergraduate degree that enables entry to an eligible UK master’s programme.
How many courses must I choose?
Applicants must choose:
Three eligible UK master’s courses.
Do I need an offer before applying?
You do not need the final unconditional university offer at the initial scholarship application stage.
Successful candidates must later submit at least one unconditional offer.
When is the university offer deadline?
8 July 2027 at 17:00 BST.
When will interviews take place?
Interviews are expected between:
March and April 2027.
When will results be announced?
Results are expected from:
Mid-June 2027.
When will successful scholars start studying?
Studies are expected to begin in:
September or October 2027.
Is there an age limit?
No.
Chevening states there is:
No upper age limit.
Do scholars need to return home?
Yes.
Applicants must commit to returning to their home country for at least:
Two years
after completing their scholarship.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The 2027–2028 Chevening Scholarship is one of the strongest current opportunities for international professionals seeking a fully funded master’s degree in the UK.
The current application cycle is particularly important because applications are:
Already open
and candidates have until:
6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC
to submit.
The biggest advantage of Chevening is that it combines:
Fully funded postgraduate study
with
Leadership development
Professional networking
and
Access to a large international alumni community.
However, this is not primarily a scholarship awarded only on academic grades.
Chevening looks for candidates who can demonstrate:
Leadership
Influence
Professional experience
Strong career direction
and
Potential to create impact after returning home.
Applicants should therefore spend significant time developing clear examples that show:
What they have achieved
How they influenced others
and
How studying in the UK fits into their long-term plans.
The strongest headline for the current cycle is:
Chevening Scholarships 2027–2028 — Fully Funded UK Master’s Scholarships Now Open for International Applicants
because the current official Chevening website confirms both:
The scholarship is fully funded
and
Applications are currently open.
Applicants should apply well before the deadline rather than waiting until 6 October.
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