Chevening Scholarships 2027/2028: Fully Funded UK Master’s — Deadline 6 October 2026

The Chevening Scholarship is the UK government’s flagship international scholarship, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It covers the full cost of a one-year taught master’s degree at any UK university for professionals from eligible countries. Applications for the 2027/2028 cycle opened on 4 August 2026 and close at 11:00 UTC on 6 October 2026 — the online portal locks at that moment, with no extensions.

Last verified: 20 September 2026 against chevening.org.

What the Chevening Scholarship Covers

Chevening is fully funded. It pays your university tuition in full, adds a monthly living allowance, and covers the cost of getting to and from the UK. In recent cycles the monthly stipend has been set at roughly £1,378 for scholars studying outside London and £1,690 for those in London, reviewed annually — confirm the current figure on the official site before budgeting.

• Full tuition fees for an eligible one-year taught master’s
• Monthly living allowance, set by location (London or outside London)
• Return economy airfare to the UK
• Arrival allowance and homeward departure allowance
• Travel costs for attending Chevening events in the UK
• Additional grant towards thesis or dissertation costs

What Chevening Does NOT Cover

This is the part most guides skip, and it is where applicants get caught out financially. Chevening does not pay for your UK visa application fee or the Immigration Health Surcharge, which together can run to several hundred pounds before you travel. It does not cover costs for dependants — there is no family allowance, so partners and children must be funded separately, and you must show you can support them. It does not cover fees for your three university applications, English language tests, or document translation and courier costs during the application stage. Budget for these separately from day one.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria

• Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory (check your country’s page — eligibility changes between cycles)
• Hold an undergraduate degree good enough to gain entry to a UK postgraduate programme
• Have at least two years of work experience, counted as 2,800 hours — this may include paid or unpaid work, internships and some voluntary roles
• Apply to three different eligible UK master’s courses and hold an unconditional offer from one of them by the offer deadline
• Commit to returning to your country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after the scholarship ends

Note that Chevening itself does not set an IELTS or TOEFL requirement. Any English language test you need is set by the universities you apply to, so check each course page rather than assuming.

The 2027/2028 Timeline: Dates That Matter

• 4 August 2026 — applications opened
• 6 October 2026, 11:00 UTC — application deadline; the portal closes permanently
• October 2026 — applications screened against eligibility criteria
• Mid-October 2026 to January 2027 — independent reading committees assess eligible applications
• Mid-February 2027 — British embassies and high commissions shortlist candidates for interview
• Spring 2027 — interviews at your nearest British embassy or high commission
• 8 July 2027, 17:00 BST — deadline to submit at least one unconditional UK university offer
• September/October 2027 — scholars begin studies in the UK

Work backwards from 6 October 2026. If you are reading this in late September, you have under three weeks — enough time to write four solid essays and secure two referees, but only if you start today.

How to Apply: Step by Step

1. Confirm your country is eligible. Go to your country or territory page on the official Chevening site — eligibility and any country-specific rules are listed there.
2. Check your work experience hours. Add up your qualifying hours and make sure you clear 2,800 before the deadline. The online form has a calculator.
3. Choose three UK master’s courses. They must be eligible one-year taught programmes. Pick courses that genuinely connect to your career plan — the selection panel will test that connection.
4. Write the four essays. Leadership and influence, networking, studying in the UK, and your career plan. Each has its own word limit and each should tell a different story.
5. Line up two referees. They only need to submit if you are shortlisted, but brief them early so they are not surprised in February.
6. Submit before 11:00 UTC on 6 October 2026. Convert that to your local time and aim to finish a full day early — the portal gets heavy traffic in the final hours.
7. Apply to your universities in parallel. You need an unconditional offer by 8 July 2027, and university deadlines run on their own schedule.

How Applications Are Assessed

Independent reading committees score eligible applications first. Embassies and high commissions then produce a shortlist and run interviews. Across all countries, Chevening receives far more applications than it can fund, so the programme is genuinely competitive — most applicants are not selected, and a strong profile is not a guarantee. Selection favours candidates who show clear leadership, a specific and credible career plan, and a genuine reason why their chosen course in the UK is the right next step.

Tips That Actually Improve Your Application

• Quantify your leadership. “Led a team of nine across three states and cut processing time by a third” beats “demonstrated strong leadership skills” every time.
• Make the networking essay specific. Name the kinds of people you have brought together and what came of it. Generic claims about being a “people person” score badly.
• Justify all three course choices. A panel can tell when the second and third choices were padding. Explain what each course offers that the others do not.
• Tie your career plan to your home country. The two-year return rule is not a formality — it reflects what the programme is for. Say concretely what you will do when you get back.
• Write the essays in your own voice. Reading committees see thousands of applications and polished, generic writing stands out for the wrong reason.

Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected

• Miscounting work experience and falling short of 2,800 hours
• Selecting courses that are not eligible, or that are longer than one year
• Writing four essays that repeat the same story with different wording
• Leaving submission to the final hours and losing access when the portal closes
• Paying an “agent” who promises a Chevening place — no such service exists, and it is a scam

Chevening Scholarship FAQ

What is the Chevening Scholarship deadline for 2027/2028?

Applications close at 11:00 UTC on 6 October 2026. The online application system cannot be accessed after that time, and late submissions are not accepted.

Do I need IELTS to apply for Chevening?

Chevening does not require IELTS or TOEFL to apply. English language requirements are set by the universities you apply to, so check each course page. See our IELTS preparation guide if your chosen universities do require a test.

How much work experience do I need?

At least two years, calculated as 2,800 hours. Paid work, some voluntary roles and internships can count. The application form includes a calculator to help you total your hours accurately.

Can I bring my family on a Chevening Scholarship?

You may be able to bring dependants under UK visa rules, but Chevening provides no family allowance. All costs for partners and children must be funded from your own resources, and you will need to evidence that.

Do I have to return to my home country afterwards?

Yes. Returning to your country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after your award ends is a condition of the scholarship, not an optional guideline.

Is Chevening free to apply for?

Yes. There is no application fee for Chevening, and no agent can secure you a place. Anyone asking for payment to “process” or “guarantee” a Chevening award is running a scam. Apply only through the official Chevening website.

What if I miss this year’s deadline?

Chevening runs annually, with applications typically opening in early August and closing in early October. If you miss 6 October 2026, use the year to build work experience and prepare stronger essays for the next cycle. In the meantime, consider other fully funded routes such as the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, the Fulbright Program for the USA, or Erasmus Mundus in Europe.

Before You Start Writing

Chevening is competitive and there is no guaranteed outcome, but the application is free, the deadline is fixed, and a well-prepared candidate has a real chance. If you meet the eligibility criteria, the only genuine cost is your time. Start with the four essays — they carry the most weight — and read our guide on writing a winning scholarship essay before you draft them.

Apply directly at chevening.org — always through the official site, never through a third party.

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