Applications are now officially open for the Chevening Scholarship 2027/2028 – the UK Government’s flagship fully funded Master’s scholarship for future global leaders.
Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations, Chevening has supported over 60,000 professionals from 160+ countries since 1983. It offers a one-year taught Master’s degree at any eligible UK university with full financial coverage.
For 2027/28 intake, applications opened 4 August 2026 and close 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC (12:00 Noon Nigerian Time). Successful scholars will start studies in September/October 2027 in the UK.
At a Glance: Chevening 2027/2028
Feature Details
Funding Body UK Government – FCDO
Study Level One-year taught Master’s only (MSc, MA, MBA, LLM etc.) – NOT PhD or research MPhil
Coverage Full tuition + monthly living allowance + return flight + visa fee + arrival/departure allowance
Monthly Stipend Approx £1,300-£1,500 per month (higher for London)
Eligible Countries 160+ countries including Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Ghana, Bangladesh, South Africa, Egypt, Uganda
Work Experience Minimum 2,800 hours (equivalent to 2 years full-time)
University Requirement Must apply to 3 different eligible UK Master’s courses and get 1 unconditional offer by 8 July 2027
Official Portal http://www.chevening.org
What Does Chevening Cover? Complete Benefits
Chevening is 100% fully funded with no hidden costs:
1. Full Tuition Fees: Covers all tuition for your one-year Master’s. For MBA programmes, tuition is capped at £22,000 – you cover any extra.
2. Living Allowance: Monthly stipend for accommodation, food, transport. London rate is higher than outside London.
3. Travel: Return economy flight from your home country to UK on approved route.
4. Visa: Full cost of UK Student Visa (entry clearance) application covered.
5. Arrival & Departure Allowance: Lump sum for initial setup when you arrive in UK and when you leave.
6. TB Test Reimbursement: Up to £75 for tuberculosis test where required (for Nigerians, Kenyans, etc.)
7. Networking & Leadership: Exclusive access to Chevening networking events, workshops, internships, and global alumni network of over 60,000 leaders.
Who Can Apply? Strict Eligibility
You must meet ALL:
a) Citizenship: Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory. You cannot be British or dual British citizen (except BN(O) Hong Kong route).
b) Education: Hold an undergraduate degree that will enable you to gain entry to a UK postgraduate programme. Must be completed by October 2024 for 2027 cycle.
c) Work Experience – 2,800 Hours: This is mandatory. Can be accumulated from up to 15 different jobs including:
- Full-time employment
- Part-time employment
- Voluntary work
- Paid or unpaid internships
Voluntary work counts! Must be after graduation, not during studies.
d) University Applications: Apply to 3 different eligible UK Master’s courses (can be at same university or different). Must be full-time, taught, start in Sept/Oct 2027, and lead to a Master’s degree (not PG Dip). By 8 July 2027, you must secure at least one unconditional offer.
e) Return Commitment: Agree to return to your home country for minimum 2 years immediately after completing scholarship. This is a legal commitment.
f) Leadership & Impact: No GPA requirement, but you must demonstrate leadership, influencing, and networking skills through 4 essay questions.
The 4 Chevening Essay Questions (Most Important)
Your application lives or dies on these 4 essays (500 words each max):
1. Leadership and Influence (500 words): Give a specific example of when you demonstrated leadership. Don’t list titles – show impact, how you influenced people.
2. Networking (500 words): How you build and maintain professional relationships. Show how you used networks to achieve something.
3. Study in the UK (500 words): Why you chose your 3 courses, why UK, why this will benefit your career. Be specific – name professors, modules, university facilities.
4. Career Plan (500 words): Your immediate and long-term career plan after returning home. Must show clear plan to create positive change in your country.
Tip from past Chevening scholars: 70,000+ applications yearly – most rejections are because applicants copy course descriptions from university websites. Be original, show real-world problems you want to solve in your country.
How to Apply – Step by Step
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Use eligibility checker on http://chevening.org.
Step 2: Choose 3 Master’s Courses
Visit https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/find-a-course/ – courses must be eligible, one-year taught Master’s, full-time, UK-based.
Step 3: Prepare Documents
- Undergraduate certificate
- Work experience records (with hours calculation)
- Two referees (can be professional/academic – will be contacted if shortlisted)
Step 4: Apply Online
All applications via the click here to apply button below this post.
Deadline: 26 October 2026, 11:00 UTC
Step 5: Timeline After Application
- Eligibility sifting: Oct-Nov 2026
- Reading committee assessments: Nov 2026 – Jan 2027
- Shortlisted for interview: Early Feb 2027
- References & education documents deadline: Feb 2027
- Interviews: March – April 2027 (at British Embassy/High Commission in your country)
- Results: From mid-June 2027
- Unconditional offer deadline: 8 July 2027 at 17:00 BST
FAQ
Q: Does Chevening require IELTS?
No, Chevening itself does not set English requirement. Your UK university does. So you need IELTS/TOEFL as required by your chosen university.
Q: Can I apply if I already have a Master’s?
Yes, Chevening funds a second Master’s, but you must explain why you need another.
Q: What is MBA cap?
If you choose MBA, Chevening will only pay up to £22,000 tuition. If your MBA costs £35,000, you must show you can cover £13,000 difference.
Q: Is there age limit?
No age limit.
need resources to help you prepare for this scholarship?
Documents You Should Always Have Ready for Scholarships, Jobs, Grants and Fellowships
How to Build a Scholarship-Ready Profile That Stands Out
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