Chevening Scholarships: an application guide

Chevening is the UK government's international scholarship programme. It funds one-year master's degrees at UK universities for people with leadership potential from many countries and territories. It is competitive, but it is also very clear about what it wants, which means good preparation makes a real difference. Current dates and the status of the call are on our Chevening programme page; the rules are on the official Chevening website.

Who Chevening is for

Chevening looks for people who will become leaders and influencers in their own countries. In practice, the core requirements have been stable for years, but always confirm them in the current call:

• citizenship of a Chevening-eligible country or territory;
• an undergraduate degree that gives access to a UK master's programme;
• a minimum amount of work experience, which Chevening states in years and in hours (paid, voluntary and part-time work can count);
• a commitment to return to your country of citizenship for a set period after the scholarship ends;
• applications to three different eligible UK master's courses, and an unconditional offer from one of them by the deadline Chevening sets.

Some groups are not eligible, for example people with British or dual British citizenship and certain government employees. The eligibility page lists them.

What the scholarship covers

Chevening generally covers tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, return travel to the UK and some additional allowances. The exact items and amounts are on the official site and can change between rounds. Check them before you plan your budget, and read our guide on fully funded and partial scholarships to understand the costs that may remain.

How selection works

The process usually runs over most of a year:

1. Online application with personal details, education, work history, your three course choices, two references and four essays.
2. Eligibility check and essay review. Applications that meet the rules are read and scored.
3. Interview for shortlisted candidates, held by the British embassy or high commission in your country, often by video.
4. Conditional award for selected candidates, who must then secure an unconditional offer and meet the remaining conditions.

The four essays

Chevening asks for four essays, each with a word limit. The themes have been consistent: leadership and influence, networking, studying in the UK, and your career plan. Treat them as one story told from four angles.

• Leadership and influence. Use one or two real situations where you changed something: you took a decision, persuaded people, or improved a process. Explain the situation, your action and the result. Leadership is not the same as a job title.
• Networking. Show how you build and use professional relationships, and how you will use the Chevening and UK networks after your studies. Name the kinds of people and organisations you want to connect with, and why.
• Studying in the UK. Explain why each of your three courses fits your goals, with specific modules or research strengths, and why the UK in particular.
• Career plan. Describe what you will do on your return in the short and long term. Be concrete and realistic, and make sure the course clearly supports the plan.

The general advice in our motivation letter guide applies here too: specific facts beat general statements.

Choosing your three courses

Apply to courses that fit your career plan, not only to famous universities. Check each course's entry requirements, including English, and its application deadline, which is separate from Chevening's. Some popular courses fill early. Our English tests guide explains how to check language requirements.

The interview

Interviews are short and structured around your essays and your plans. Prepare by:

• rereading your essays, since panel members often have them in front of them;
• preparing two or three examples of leadership and networking with clear results;
• being able to explain, in two minutes, what you want to do after your return and why this course is the best route;
• following the news in your field and in relations between your country and the UK.

Common mistakes

• Starting essays too late; they need several drafts.
• Writing about leadership in general terms with no example.
• Choosing courses that do not match the career plan.
• Missing the deadline for the unconditional offer after receiving a conditional award.
• Asking referees too late; see our recommendation letters guide.

Before the application opens

Collect your degree certificate and transcripts, update your CV, choose your referees, shortlist courses and draft your essays. Our document checklist helps with translations and certified copies.

Related: other scholarships in the United Kingdom, Chevening Fellowships for mid-career professionals, and how to find and choose a scholarship.