Want to pursue a Master’s degree in the UK without worrying about tuition or living costs? The Chevening Scholarship, funded by the UK government, could be your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Designed for future leaders and changemakers from around the world, this fully funded one-year Master’s program covers tuition, living expenses, flights, and more.
Let’s break down what Chevening offers, who’s eligible, and how to apply.
What is a Chevening Scholarship and Who Can Get It?
Chevening is a scholarship funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and other partners. The program is open to individuals with a clear track record of leadership, a drive to bring about positive change, and the ambition to expand their professional and social impact.
There are no age or background restrictions to apply for this scholarship—Chevening assesses applicants based on potential and vision for the future.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory
- Have at least two years of work experience (2,800 hours)
- Hold an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK 2:1
- Not have previously received a UK government-funded scholarship
- Commit to returning to their home country for at least two years after the scholarship
What Will You Receive From Chevening?
As a fully-funded scholarship programme, Chevening is very comprehensive in its funding to enable the awardee to focus on their studies.
Some of the benefits that the awardee will get are:
- Full tuition fees until you complete your studies
- A monthly personal living allowance to cover accommodation and daily expenses. The amount will depend on whether you are studying inside or outside London
- Economy round-trip airfare from your home country to the UK.
- Visa application fees
- Arrival and departure allowance
- Travel grant to attend official Chevening events in the UK.
Step-by-step Selection Process
The Chevening application process consists of several stages:
- Register online through the official portal: Before you register yourself, make sure to check your eligibility, or else they won’t accept your application.
- Choose three UK Master’s degree courses: You will be required to choose three master’s degree courses from UK universities. You must also receive an unconditional offer from at least one of these universities before the deadline.
- Prepare your references and education documents: You are required to give two referees’ contact details in your application, alongside their reference letters. Once you advance to the interview stage, you need to upload your undergraduate degree certificate to the online application system; thus, it is best to prepare the documents.
- Interview: If shortlisted, you will receive an email to schedule your interview at a local British embassy or high commission.
If invited to an interview, you’ll be asked to demonstrate:
- Leadership and influencing skills
- Ability to build strong professional relationships
- A realistic, actionable career plan
- Clear reasoning why studying in the UK will help you achieve your goals.
5. Final Announcement: Typically, the results are announced in mid-June, with the deadline for university offers around the beginning of July. Meanwhile, the studies begin in September–October.
To this date, the Chevening Scholarship Program has more than 60,000 alumni from over 160 countries worldwide. Among them, 21 are heads of state or government, demonstrating the strength of Chevening’s global network and its influence in shaping future leaders across a wide range of fields.
If you have a big dream of pursuing a Master’s degree in the UK with a full scholarship, Chevening could be your golden opportunity. Prepare early, recognize your potential, and don’t hesitate to dream big.
