Chevening Scholarships 2027–2028 Applications are currently open for the UK Government’s fully funded international scholarship programme for emerging leaders who want to pursue a one-year master’s degree in the United Kingdom. The current application cycle opened on August 4, 2026, and applications will close on October 6, 2026, at 11:00 UTC. Successful scholars are expected to begin their UK studies in September or October 2027.
Chevening is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organisations. It supports eligible applicants from countries and territories around the world who demonstrate leadership potential, relationship-building skills and a clear plan for creating positive change after completing their studies.
For women looking for an international master’s opportunity with substantial financial support, Chevening deserves particular attention. The scholarship is not exclusively for women, but Chevening states that it is committed to supporting underrepresented groups and advancing women’s leadership.
What Is the Chevening Scholarship?
Chevening Scholarships allow successful candidates to study a one-year taught master’s degree at an eligible UK university.
Applicants may choose from a wide range of academic disciplines, including business, public policy, healthcare, law, international development, technology, engineering, education, environmental studies, finance, media and many others.
Unlike scholarships tied to one institution, Chevening allows applicants to select eligible courses at universities across the United Kingdom.
Candidates must list three eligible UK master’s courses in their scholarship application. The courses can be at the same university or across different universities, although Chevening recommends selecting similar courses at different institutions to improve the chances of securing an offer.
What Does the Chevening Scholarship Cover?
Chevening is designed as a fully funded scholarship.
A standard full award normally includes:
- Payment of university tuition fees
- Economy travel between the scholar’s country of residence and the UK
- An arrival allowance
- UK visa application costs
- A departure allowance
- Up to £75 toward tuberculosis testing when required
- A travel top-up allowance
- A monthly living stipend for accommodation and general living expenses
The stipend amount varies depending on whether the scholar studies inside or outside London and is reviewed periodically.
The scholarship also includes access to Chevening’s professional and alumni network, events and engagement opportunities involving fellow scholars, partner organisations and UK institutions.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility depends partly on nationality.
Applicants must be citizens of a Chevening-eligible country or territory and meet the programme’s other requirements. The current application portal lists eligible awards across countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Middle East and the Pacific.
Candidates must also commit to returning to their country of award for at least two years after completing the scholarship.
Applicants need an undergraduate degree that qualifies them for admission to an eligible UK master’s programme.
For the current cycle, another important requirement is work experience.
Candidates must have at least 2,800 hours of work experience gained after completing their undergraduate degree. Chevening describes this as roughly equivalent to two years of full-time work based on a 35-hour work week.
For the 2027–2028 cycle, applicants generally need to have completed their undergraduate degree by October 2024 to meet the work-experience rule.
Eligible experience can include full-time employment, part-time employment, voluntary work and paid or unpaid internships.
What Courses Are Eligible?
Chevening Scholarships fund taught master’s programmes.
Eligible courses must normally:
- Be full-time
- Be based in the United Kingdom
- Begin in the autumn term
- Lead to a master’s qualification
- Last between nine and 12 months
Part-time programmes, distance-learning courses, PhDs, DPhils and most research-focused programmes such as MRes degrees are not eligible.
Applicants should check the Chevening course finder before finalising their three choices.
What Does the Application Require?
The application is completed online.
Candidates provide their education history, work experience, three proposed UK master’s programmes and details for two referees. Applicants invited to interview later need to provide formal reference letters.
A major part of the application consists of written responses addressing four areas:
Leadership and influence: Applicants should provide examples showing where they led change, solved problems or achieved measurable results.
Relationship building: Candidates need to explain how they developed professional relationships and used collaboration to produce meaningful outcomes.
Course choice: Applicants should demonstrate why their selected course fits their career goals and how specific areas of study will help them address important challenges.
Career plan: Candidates should present realistic short-, medium- and long-term goals showing how they intend to create impact after returning home.
One critical warning: Chevening explicitly prohibits using AI-generated answers in the application. Applicants should therefore prepare their scholarship essays entirely in their own words.
Important Dates
- Applications opened: August 4, 2026
- Scholarship application deadline: October 6, 2026 at 11:00 UTC
- Interview shortlist: Mid-February 2027
- Interviews: March–April 2027
- Results: From mid-June 2027
- Deadline to submit at least one unconditional UK university offer: July 8, 2027 at 17:00 BST
- Studies begin: September/October 2027
Tips for a Strong Chevening Application
Avoid describing leadership only through job titles.
Instead, use specific situations where you identified a problem, took action and achieved a measurable result. Chevening says its strongest applicants demonstrate tangible impact.
Research your three courses carefully and make sure they connect logically with your career plans.
You should also begin preparing university applications early. You do not need to hold a university offer when submitting the initial Chevening application, but successful candidates ultimately need an unconditional offer from at least one eligible course by July 8, 2027.
Finally, review your work-experience calculations carefully. Falling below the 2,800-hour requirement can make an application ineligible before the rest of the submission is assessed.
How to Apply
Start by confirming whether Chevening is available for your country or territory.
Official Chevening Scholarships Page
Official Chevening Application Guidance
For women with professional experience who are ready to pursue a master’s degree abroad, Chevening offers more than tuition funding. It combines graduate study, financial support, leadership development and access to an international professional network.
With the October 6, 2026 deadline approaching, now is the time to check your eligibility, calculate your work experience, research your three UK master’s courses and begin preparing your application in your own words.
Opportunities for Women is not the programme provider. Applicants should verify all details directly through Chevening before making travel or financial arrangements.
