funding: Fully funded (tuition + stipend + flights)
location: United Kingdom
eligibility: Citizens of Chevening-eligible countries, 2+ years work experience
host: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
duration: 1 year (master's degree)
apply-url: https://www.chevening.org/apply/
The Chevening Scholarship is the UK government's flagship international award, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and partner organisations. It offers outstanding emerging leaders the opportunity to pursue a one-year master's degree at any UK university — fully funded, fully flexible, and globally recognised.
What You Get
Chevening covers your full university tuition fees, a monthly living allowance set at the established London or outside-London rate, economy return flights to the UK, and a one-time arrival and departure allowance. In addition, Chevening scholars receive an exclusive global network connecting over 50,000 alumni in 160 countries.
Eligibility
To apply you must be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country, hold an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK 2:1, have at least two years of full-time work experience (approximately 2,800 hours) after completing your undergraduate degree, and commit to returning to your home country for at least two years after the scholarship ends. The scholarship is open to professionals in any field — government, media, civil society, science, business, and beyond.
Application Deadline
Applications for the 2027–2028 academic year open in August 2026 and close in November 2026. Shortlisted candidates are invited to interview between February and April 2027, with successful applicants notified in June 2027. Use the time before the window opens to draft your four personal statement essays and secure three strong referees.
How to Apply
All applications are submitted through the official Chevening online application system at chevening.org. You must select three different UK university course choices within the application. Prepare your personal statements well in advance — the four essays ask about leadership, networking, studying in the UK, and your career goals. Strong applications demonstrate a clear vision for how a UK master's will accelerate your impact in your home country.
Tips for a Strong Application
The most successful Chevening applicants can articulate a specific, credible leadership vision for their country and field. Generic answers about "gaining knowledge" are rarely successful. Focus on concrete outcomes: what policy will you influence, what organisation will you lead, what change will you drive within two years of returning home? Networking and leadership experience matters as much as academic achievement.