Chevening Scholarship 2027-2028 | Fully Funded UK Masters
The Chevening Scholarship 2027-2028 is the United Kingdom government’s flagship international awards programme, offering fully funded one-year master’s degrees at prestigious UK universities to outstanding leaders and changemakers from over 160 countries worldwide. Funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in partnership with the British Council and UK higher education institutions, Chevening represents one of the world’s most selective and comprehensive fully funded scholarship opportunities, with approximately 1,800 awards available annually to a global pool of tens of thousands of highly qualified applicants.
Table of Contents
- 1. Chevening Scholarship Overview
- 2. Quick Facts & Summary
- 3. Why Choose Chevening
- 4. Eligibility Requirements
- 5. What’s Fully Covered
- 6. How to Apply
1. Chevening Scholarship Overview
The Chevening Scholarship programme has been supporting future global leaders since 1983. With over 60,000 alumni across more than 160 countries and territories, the Chevening network includes heads of state, Supreme Court judges, cabinet ministers, and CEOs shaping policy, business, and society worldwide. The programme is uniquely designed not just to fund education but to create lifetime membership in an influential international professional community that continues to drive global change.
Unlike many merit-based scholarships that prioritize academic performance alone, Chevening is a holistic selection process specifically seeking individuals with demonstrated leadership potential, clear career vision, and at least two years of relevant professional work experience. The scholarship enables recipients to choose from over 12,000 eligible one-year master’s degree courses across 100+ UK universities in any subject area, providing unprecedented flexibility in academic specialization and career alignment.
Chevening is administered by the FCDO in partnership with the British Council and UK higher education institutions. Applicants are selected through a rigorous process coordinated by British embassies and high commissions in each eligible country. With a global acceptance rate of approximately 2%, Chevening remains among the world’s most selective fully funded scholarship programmes, attracting outstanding professionals and emerging leaders committed to making positive global impact and returning home to serve their communities.
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2. Quick Facts & Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | Chevening Scholarship 2027-2028 |
| Funded By | UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) |
| Award Type | Fully Funded Masters Degree (one year) |
| Study Location | Any UK University (100+ participating institutions) |
| Course Options | Over 12,000 eligible taught master’s courses |
| Total Awards | Approximately 1,800 scholarships annually |
| Eligible Countries | 160+ countries and territories |
| Application Opens | 4 August 2026 (11:00 UTC) |
| Application Deadline | 6 October 2026 (11:00 UTC) |
| Study Commencement | September/October 2027 |
| Global Acceptance Rate | Approximately 2% |
| Alumni Network | 60,000+ professionals across global sectors |
3. Why Choose Chevening
Chevening offers far more than financial support for a master’s degree. It is an invitation to join one of the world’s most influential networks of leaders and changemakers. Chevening scholars gain access to lifetime professional connections, exclusive networking events, and mentoring opportunities with alumni leading in government, business, academia, international development, media, and technology. This network opens doors throughout global professional communities and creates career opportunities that extend far beyond graduation.
The scholarship also provides unparalleled access to world-class education at UK universities renowned for research excellence, innovation, and student-centred learning approaches. UK universities consistently rank among the world’s best, offering rigorous academic programmes, extensive research facilities, and connections to leading professionals in virtually every field. Studying in the UK means gaining qualifications recognized globally and developing professional networks that span continents.
Beyond academics, Chevening is designed for individuals who want to lead meaningful change in their home countries. The programme prioritizes candidates with clear vision for making positive impact and commitment to returning home after studies. This focus on leadership and social impact creates a cohort of scholars united by ambition to address global challenges and contribute to their communities. For many, Chevening becomes transformational—not just for their careers but for their capacity to influence policy, innovation, and societal development.
4. Eligibility Requirements
Basic Eligibility
- Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
- Have at least 2,800 hours of professional work experience (approximately two years full-time)
- Be able to meet UK university entry requirements for your chosen master’s programme
- Be in good health and able to undertake full-time study
- Demonstrate commitment to returning to your home country for at least two years after completing the scholarship
Selection Criteria
Chevening evaluates applicants holistically, assessing demonstrated leadership potential, clear career vision and long-term professional goals, commitment to creating positive change in your field or community, personal qualities and character, academic ability sufficient to succeed at a top UK university, potential to become an influential member of the Chevening alumni network, and how well your chosen course aligns with your career aspirations. The four essay questions form the core of the assessment, requiring thoughtful reflection on your leadership journey, networking abilities, career plan, and reasons for choosing Chevening.
Important Restrictions
- You cannot have previously received UK government funding (Chevening or other FCDO-funded scholarships)
- British citizens and dual British citizens are generally not eligible
- You must be able to demonstrate your connection to your country of citizenship
- You must apply to three different eligible UK master’s courses
- You must receive an unconditional offer from at least one university by the deadline
5. What’s Fully Covered
Complete Scholarship Package
- University Tuition Fees — Full payment of approved UK master’s degree tuition
- Monthly Living Allowance — £1,690 per month (approximately £20,280 annually) for accommodation, food, and personal expenses
- Economy Return Airfare — International round-trip flights from your home country to the UK
- Arrival Allowance — One-time grant to cover initial settling-in costs and expenses
- UK Travel Grant — Support for travel within the UK during your studies
- Visa Application Fee — Full coverage of UK student visa application costs
- Thesis Allowance — Additional support if your programme includes a thesis or major project
- TB Testing Allowance — Up to £75 toward required tuberculosis testing
Course Flexibility
Applicants select from over 12,000 eligible one-year taught master’s degree courses across 100+ participating UK universities. There are no restrictions on subject area—from engineering and sciences to business, humanities, social sciences, arts, law, education, and professional qualifications. This flexibility allows you to pursue studies directly aligned with your career goals and professional development objectives, whether you’re interested in policy, business, technology, development, research, or any other field.
6. How to Apply
Check that your country is on the Chevening-eligible list and that you meet all basic requirements: bachelor’s degree, at least 2,800 hours (approximately two years) of professional work experience, and commitment to returning home after studies. Review specific eligibility criteria for your country on the official Chevening website. Ensure you have the necessary documentation ready to verify your citizenship, education, and work experience.
Explore UK universities and browse their eligible master’s programmes. Identify three different courses at different universities that align with your career goals and academic background. Each course must be an eligible one-year taught master’s degree. Use university websites and course finders to understand admission requirements and ensure your qualifications meet programme entry criteria. Research each university’s strengths in your field of interest.
Gather all required documents: your CV highlighting professional experience and leadership roles, academic transcripts and degree certificates, employment records or letters documenting your work experience, references from professional contacts who can speak to your leadership potential, and any other supporting documents required. Begin drafting responses to Chevening’s essay questions, which ask about your leadership experience, networking abilities, career plan, and reasons for choosing Chevening. Invest significant time in these essays—they are critical to your selection.
Visit the official Chevening website and create an account through your country or territory’s dedicated application portal. This account is essential—applications can only be submitted through the official system. You will use this account to submit your application, track its status, and receive communications from Chevening throughout the selection process.
Fill out all required sections of your application: personal and contact information, education and academic qualifications, professional work experience documentation, your three chosen UK master’s courses, and your responses to Chevening’s essay questions. Write compelling essays that clearly demonstrate your leadership potential, vision for impact, and commitment to returning home. Double-check every section for accuracy and completeness before submission.
Submit your complete application through the official Chevening portal before 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. Submit well before the deadline to avoid technical issues. Keep confirmation of your submission for your records. Once submitted, you will receive confirmation of receipt.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews conducted by British embassies or high commissions in your country. Interviews typically last 20-30 minutes and assess your leadership potential, communication skills, understanding of your chosen field, and commitment to your stated career goals. If selected following the interview, you will receive formal notification. You will then need to receive unconditional offers from at least one of your three chosen UK universities before the final scholarship award is confirmed.
Application Timeline:
4 August 2026 – Applications Open
6 October 2026 – Application Deadline (11:00 UTC)
October 2026 – February 2027 – Selection and Interview Process
June 2027 – Successful Applicants Announced
September/October 2027 – Studies Begin in the UK