Chevening Scholarships: funding, eligibility and deadlines

What the funding covers

Full tuition fees for an eligible one-year taught master's at any UK university.
A monthly living allowance (stipend) for the year.
Return economy travel to the UK, arrival and departure allowances, and the cost of one visa application.
Access to Chevening's events and alumni network during and after your year.

Citizenship of a Chevening-eligible country or territory, and a commitment to return there for at least two years after the award ends.
An undergraduate degree that qualifies you for a UK master's.
At least two years (2,800 hours) of work experience gained after your first degree.
Applications to three different eligible UK master's courses, and an unconditional offer from one of them by the July deadline.

Shortlist three one-year master's courses at UK universities and check they are Chevening-eligible.
Complete the online application, including four essays: leadership, networking, studying in the UK, and your career plan.
Submit between 4 August and 6 October 2026 (11:00 UTC) for 2027–28 study.
If shortlisted, interview at the British embassy or high commission (March–April), then secure an unconditional course offer by early July.

The 2027–28 deadline is 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC — earlier than the early-November dates used in some past cycles.
Essays decide who gets an interview. Specific examples of leadership and a concrete post-study plan beat general statements.
Chevening never charges a fee to apply. Beware of social-media pages claiming to 'process' applications — see our scam guide.

Counting back from the next typical deadline (Oct 6, 2026). Steps marked NOW are already due if you start today.

Jul 14, 2026 · NOWResearch the route in depth — confirm eligibility, costs and every required document

Jul 28, 2026 · NOWAsk your referees (for a PhD, email potential supervisors with a short, specific pitch)

Aug 11, 2026 · NOWWrite the first full draft of your motivation letter or statement of purpose

Aug 25, 2026 · NOWOrder transcripts and certified translations · book any language test

Sep 8, 2026 · NOWSecond draft — get feedback from someone who reads critically

Sep 22, 2026 · NOWFinalise every document and complete the online form

Sep 29, 2026Submit — never on the last day

Oct 6, 2026Typical deadline

Page reviewed Sep 24, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official source.