Quick Summary
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and partner organizations offers Chevening Scholarship, a fully funded opportunity designed for international students heading to United Kingdom. The award covers Full coverage of all costs (estimated value exceeds £30,000 depending on course) and is open to postgraduate (master's degree) students studying any subject, typically one-year taught master's degrees. The scholarship runs for 12 months (standard 1-year master's). Eligibility is generally based on open to citizens of over 160 countries who have at least two years of work experience and an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK 2:1 honours. The application deadline is November 5 (Annual cycle; dates vary slightly each year), with an acceptance rate of approximately 2.5%. Applicants are encouraged to review the official eligibility criteria carefully before starting their application.
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Full coverage of all costs (estimated value exceeds £30,000 depending on course)
⏳
Duration
12 months (Standard 1-year Master's)
📅
Deadline
November 5 (Annual cycle; dates vary slightly each year)
🌎
Fields
Any subject, typically one-year taught Master's degrees
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 1,500 awards globally each year
🌏
Study Country
United Kingdom
🏛️
Provider
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and partner organizations
📊
Acceptance
Approximately 2.5%
Chevening is the UK government’s international awards program aimed at developing global leaders. Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and partner organizations, it offers a unique opportunity for future leaders, influencers, and decision-makers from all over the world to develop professionally and academically, network extensively, experience UK culture, and build lasting positive relationships with the UK.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to citizens of over 160 countries who have at least two years of work experience and an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK 2:1 honours.
🏛️ Host University
Any accredited UK university
🤝 Sponsor
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
🌎 Fields of Study
Any subject, typically one-year taught Master's degrees
✨ Key Benefits
Covers full tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, return flights to the UK, visa costs, and arrival/departure allowances.
🎯 Target Students
Emerging leaders, influencers, and decision-makers from around the world
🏷 Tags
UK
Master's
Fully Funded
Leadership
Global
International Students
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Full tuition fees (Note: A cap of £22,000 applies to MBA and specific programs)
Living Stipend
Monthly living allowance (Rate varies between London and outside London)
Total Award
Full coverage of all costs (estimated value exceeds £30,000 depending on course)
✈️ Travel: Economy class return airfare to the UK
🏠 Accommodation: Included in the monthly living stipend
💊 Health Insurance: Inward and outward travel grants and cost of one visa application included; IHS fee covered
🔄 Renewable: No
💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Full tuition fees (Note: A cap of £22,000 applies to MBA and specific programs)
🏠 Living Stipend
Monthly living allowance (Rate varies between London and outside London)
🏡 Accommodation
Included in the monthly living stipend
✈️ Travel Allowance
Economy class return airfare to the UK
💊 Health Insurance
Inward and outward travel grants and cost of one visa application included; IHS fee covered
🎁 Other Benefits
Arrival allowance, homeward departure allowance, TB testing fee reimbursement, travel grant for Chevening events
📋 Renewal Conditions
N/A - Scholarship is for a one-year fixed duration
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Citizen of a Chevening-eligible country, return home for 2 years post-award, completed undergraduate degree, 2 years work experience
🎓 Academic Level
Postgraduate (Master's degree)
📊 Minimum GPA
Equivalent to a UK Upper Second-class (2:1) honours degree
🗣️ English Requirement
Applicants must meet the English language requirement of their chosen UK university
💼 Work Experience
Minimum of 2,800 hours (equivalent to 2 years full-time)
🏆 Leadership
Strong leadership and networking potential is a core requirement
💰 Financial Need
Not a primary factor; selection is based on merit and leadership potential
🎯 Target Students
Emerging leaders, influencers, and decision-makers from around the world
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (4 mandatory essays: Leadership…
Rec Letters
Yes (2 reference letters required if…
Interview
Yes (Conducted at British Embassies or High…
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- English Proficiency Proof
- Interview
- Minimum GPA Requirement
📋 Application Process
Focus on specific examples of leadership, have a clear 5-10 year career plan, and explain how the UK specifically helps your goals.
💡 Insider Tip: Ensure your university choices are listed correctly; you must apply to three different courses but they can be at the same or different universities.