Chevening Scholarship 2026/2027: Application for Studying in the UK
Chevening Scholarship 2026/2027: The Chevening Scholarship is the UK government’s flagship international award, backed by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and partner organizations. It offers a fully funded pathway for future global leaders to pursue a one-year master’s degree at any accredited UK university, building strong networks and gaining academic and cultural excellence.
This guide will walk you step-by-step through everything you need to know on how to apply for the Chevening Scholarship 2026.
Overview
The Chevening Scholarship is one of the most prestigious international scholarship programs in the world, funded by the UK government through the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organizations. Since its launch in 1983, the program has supported thousands of outstanding students, professionals, and future leaders across the globe to pursue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom.
This fully funded scholarship covers tuition fees, travel costs, living allowances, and additional expenses, allowing recipients to focus entirely on their academic growth and leadership development. The program’s mission is to empower global change-makers by equipping them with world-class education and exposure to the UK’s cultural, political, and academic environment.
The Chevening Scholarship is not just about financial support; it is also a leadership program. Recipients are expected to return to their home countries after their studies to contribute to national development, foster innovation, and strengthen bilateral relations with the UK.
The 2026/2027 Chevening Scholarship cycle kicked off on 5 August 2025 with applications officially opening at 12:00 UTC. Applicants must complete the online application form, choose three eligible UK-based one-year taught master’s courses, and go through a thorough selection process that includes eligibility verification, essay evaluation, and interviews.
Countries Eligible for Chevening Scholarship 2026/2027
One of the unique features of the Chevening program is its global reach. The scholarship is available to citizens of 160+ countries and territories, making it one of the most inclusive scholarships worldwide.
Eligible regions include:
- Africa: Countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, Uganda, and more.
- Asia: Including India, Pakistan, Indonesia, China, Bangladesh, and Malaysia.
- Latin America & the Caribbean: Countries like Brazil, Mexico, Jamaica, and Colombia.
- Middle East: Nations such as Jordan, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia.
- Europe & Central Asia: Including Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, and more.
Note: The United States and EU/EEA countries are not eligible for the Chevening Scholarship, as the program is targeted at developing countries and regions with strategic partnerships with the UK
Official Application Portal Chevening Scholarship 2026/2027
All applications must be submitted through the official Chevening online portal via chevening.org/apply, using the country/territory dropdown to access your national page. The portal guides you through eligibility checks, personal access codes, form fields (personal details, education, work history), essay questions, course selections, and referee details.
Available Courses
Chevening Scholarships are available for a wide range of master’s programs at UK universities. Applicants must choose three courses at UK institutions, and at least one of these courses must offer an unconditional offer before the set deadline.
Some of the popular fields supported by Chevening include:
- Law and Governance (International Law, Human Rights, Public Policy)
- Business and Economics (Finance, Management, Development Studies)
- Science and Technology (Engineering, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Renewable Energy)
- Environmental Studies (Climate Change, Sustainability, Environmental Policy)
- Health and Medicine (Public Health, Global Health Policy, Medical Research)
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Media and Communications
- Education and Social Sciences
Chevening provides flexibility for applicants to select courses that align with their career goals, leadership potential, and national development priorities.
Requirements
To be eligible for the Chevening Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Citizenship
- Must be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country.
Education
- Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK 2:1 honors degree (upper second-class).
- This is usually a bachelor’s degree in relevant fields.
Work Experience
- Applicants must demonstrate at least two years (2,800 hours) of work experience.
- This may include full-time jobs, part-time jobs, voluntary work, or internships.
Return Requirement
- Candidates must agree to return to their home country for at least two years after completing their studies in the UK.
English Language Proficiency
- Applicants must meet the English language requirements set by their chosen UK universities.
- Some institutions may waive IELTS/TOEFL for candidates from English-speaking countries.
University Offers
- Candidates must apply to three different eligible master’s programs in the UK and must secure an unconditional offer from at least one university before the deadline
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How to Apply for Chevening Scholarship
Start: From 5 August 2025, access the portal via your country’s page at Chevening’s website
Eligibility Check: Complete initial eligibility questions inside the portal; you’ll know immediately if you pass
Access Code: Note your unique access code—needed to re-enter your application
Fill the Form:
- Personal and immigration details
- Education history and work experience (the system auto-calculates your qualifying hours)
- Your top 3 UK master’s course choices
- Referee details (2 referees)—their letters are to be uploaded if invited to interview
- Four essay responses (leadership, networking, course & university choice, future career plan) within specified word limits
Submit: Review and submit before the deadline
Selection:
- Applications are longlisted, assessed, and shortlisted by independent committees from October 2025 onward
- Interviews take place between March and April 2026
- Results are announced in mid-June 2026
Offer Requirements: If successful, final submission of your unconditional offer from a UK university must be by 9 July 2026 at 17:00 BST.
Application Deadline for the Scholarship
The application window closes on 7th October 2025 at 12:00 UTC/GMT, by which time all applications must be submitted via the online portal. No late submissions will be accepted.
Goodluck on your application!