Have you ever dreamed of studying in the UK on a prestigious scholarship?

The Chevening Scholarship offers international students a golden opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in the UK, covering tuition fees, living expenses, and more.

This blog post will tell you everything about the Chevening Scholarship, from eligibility criteria to application tips, ensuring you’re well-prepared to seize this life-changing opportunity.

What is the Chevening Scholarship?

The Chevening Scholarship is a fully-funded scholarship that helps you to pursue your one-year master’s at any university in the UK.

As a fully funded scholarship, it covers your Airfare, accommodation, and course fees. These benefits will help you focus on achieving your professional goals and building a promising career.

You will stay in the UK for one year until your course ends. This will help you develop professionally and academically, build networks, and experience the UK culture.

Value of the Chevening Scholarship

A fully-funded Chevening scholarship comprises of the following:

Your tuition fees.
Economy travel to and from your country of residence via an approved route is solely for you.
An arrival allowance is paid once you have arrived in the UK.
The cost of a visa application is solely for you.
A departure allowance is provided upon finalising your plans to depart from the UK at the end of your award.
If necessary, a maximum contribution of £75 toward TB testing for your visa application.
A travel top-up allowance, paid once you have arrived in the UK
A monthly stipend is allocated for personal living expenses, including accommodation and other necessities.
The monthly allowance will vary depending on whether you study in London or elsewhere.
These rates will be subject to annual review.
You will receive stipend payments for the upcoming month around the 21st of each month.
If your course begins or concludes in the middle of the month, the stipend for that month will be appropriately adjusted.

To view the official PDF for the Chevening Scholarship, click on this link.

Benefits of studying in the UK with this Scholarship

The Chevening master’s scholarship gives international students a great chance to study for a master’s degree in the UK. But it’s not just about money – there are other perks too.

Here are some of the benefits of studying in the UK with the Chevening Scholarship:

The UK has a top-tier education system with top-ranked universities and renowned faculty. With the help of this scholarship, you can get a chance to study at some of the top universities in the UK.

You can pursue your master’s degree in a vast range of fields with a strong reputation in the world, which will increase your chances of working in some of the renowned companies in the world.

Many programs in the UK incorporate practical learning, such as internships and research opportunities, into their curriculum. These opportunities help students solve real-world business problems.

The chevening scholarship program will help you connect with a global network of alums, professionals, and talented students.

You will experience British culture, historic sites, vibrant cities and diverse landscapes.

Overall, a Chevening Scholarship offers a transformative experience that extends beyond academics. It provides you with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to become a future leader in your field.

Chevening scholarship eligibility

Here are the following eligibility criteria for applying for Chevening scholarship in the UK:

You must be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory.
You must return to your home country for at least two years after your scholarship has ended.
You must have completed your bachelor’s degree before applying for any postgraduate program at a UK university. This is typically equivalent to an upper second-class 2:1 honours degree in the UK but may be different depending on the course and the country you have chosen.
You must have at least two years (2,800 hours) of work experience.
You must apply to three eligible UK university courses and receive an unconditional offer from one of the choices by the deadline listed on the application timeline.

You will not be eligible to apply for the Chevening scholarship if you:

Hold British or dual British citizenship (unless you are a citizen of the British Overseas Territory or hold BN (O) and are applying from Hong Kong).+

Hold refugee status in a country that is not eligible for Chevening. Applicants who are citizens of a Chevening-eligible country and hold refugee status in another Chevening-eligible country qualify for a scholarship.

Are currently employed, have been employed within the last two years from the opening of Chevening applications, or are relatives* of an employee of His home country’s Government. Additionally, individuals contracted to work on any British Council programme or project, and their relatives are ineligible.

Employees who used to work or are related to those working at Chevening Partner organizations can apply for the award. But if they have worked there for the last two years, they can’t get an award from that organization.

You have previously studied in the UK with funding from a UK government-funded scholarship.

Chevening scholarship: work experience required

As we have shared the Chevening Scholarship eligibility criteria with you, you must also meet the minimum work experience requirements before filling out your application form.

You must have at least two years of work experience to apply for the Chevening scholarship. If you don’t have it, you won’t be eligible.

Eligible types of work experience

Full-time employment
Part-time employment
Voluntary work
Paid or unpaid internship

You can complete your work experience before, during, or after you graduate from your undergraduate studies. However, any compulsory employment that was part of your undergraduate or postgraduate program would not be eligible.

As per Chevening scholarship guidelines, you can submit up to fifteen different employment periods to meet the requirements. If you have held more than fifteen positions, please list the periods during which you worked the most significant number of hours.

How to calculate your work experience

Suppose you meet both eligibility criteria but still want to calculate it. Here is the method to calculate your work experience before applying for this scholarship in the UK:

For this calculation, a working week is defined as 35-60 hours and a working year as 40-50 weeks. Any amount exceeding the upper limit for full-time employment will be considered ineligible.

You must have the following minimum number of hours before applying for a Chevening Scholarship:

Chevening Scholarships: Two years of work experience equates to 2,800 hours.

For those who have worked part-time, these hours will be accumulated over a more extended period.

If you want to learn more, you can visit the official website of the Chevening scholarship.

Application process and timeline

The selection process for Chevening Scholars takes at least eight months, from the application deadline to the conditional selection of award recipients.

Here’s an overview of the application and selection process to keep you informed every step of the way.

If you want to apply for September 2025, the application process will start from September 2024; here is the timeline.

On 12th September 2024, Applications will be open.
7th November 2024 will be the last date to apply for the Chevening scholarship.
From 8th November 2024, applications will be sifted against eligibility criteria.
From mid-November to December 2024, Independent reading committees will evaluate all eligible applications. Their scores and rankings are then submitted to British embassies or high commissions.
In early to mid-February 2025, Applicants will be shortlisted for interviews. After the embassy/high commission reviews the forwarded applications, they create a shortlist of candidates to invite for an interview. Notifications will then be sent out. Congratulations if you make it to this stage.
On 20th February 2025, shortlisted applicants must submit two references and their educational documents before their interview date.
Panels at British embassies and high commissions will conduct your interview from 26 February to 26 April 2025.
Results will be declared in June 2025.
By 11th July 2025, you must submit at least one unconditional UK university offer.
In September/October 2025, Chevening scholars will begin their studies in the UK.

How to Be a Competitive Chevening Scholar Applicant?

To become a competitive Chevening scholar, you must have a solid academic background, leadership potential, and a clear vision for your future impact.

Here are some of the ways to distinguish your application from other applicants:

Maintain a solid academic standing by emphasising your achievements, coursework, research projects, and relevant academic awards.
Write a compelling application that effectively communicates your strengths, experiences, and aspirations.
If shortlisted, prepare thoroughly for the interview stage. Practice answering common interview questions and be ready to discuss your academic interests, career goals, leadership experiences, and potential contributions as a Chevening Scholar.
Gain relevant work experience in your field of study or profession. Showcase your contributions, responsibilities, and achievements in your workplace. Emphasise how your work experience aligns with your academic and career goals.

Conclusion

The Chevening Scholarship in the UK is a fantastic chance for future leaders worldwide. To apply, you need to meet specific requirements and plan. If interested, check out the official Chevening website or contact our expert counsellors today.