Chevening Scholarship: Eligibility, Benefits, How to Apply and Selection Process

Chevening Scholarship is the UK government's fully funded scholarship for a one-year master's degree in the UK. Check the eligibility, benefits, documents, application process and selection stages below.

Chevening Scholarship: Eligibility, Benefits, How to Apply and Selection ProcessChevening Scholarship is the UK government's international scholarship for future leaders. It lets selected students study a one-year master's degree in the UK. The award is fully funded, so scholars do not pay for fees, travel or basic living costs. Indian citizens with a bachelor's degree and about two years of work experience can apply. There is no upper age limit and no application fee. Scholars can join any eligible UK university. Partners include Imperial College London, University of Cambridge and University of Warwick. After the course, every scholar must return to India for at least two years. Read on to learn about the Chevening Scholarship for Indian students, from eligibility to result.

💰 Download Free Scholarship Guide - 97 Scholarships

Sorted by category, state & level · amounts · deadlines · how to apply

Download Scholarship PDF

Chevening Scholarship Latest Updates

Applications for the Chevening Scholarship 2027-28 are open for Indian students. The last date to apply is October 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM UTC (4:30 PM IST). For this cycle, applicants must have finished their undergraduate degree by October 2024. Selected scholars will start their UK studies in September or October 2027.

Chevening Scholarship Overview

This scholarship is funded by the FCDO and partner organisations. The key facts are given below.

Chevening Scholarship Important Dates

The Chevening Scholarship 2027-28 dates are given below.

Chevening Scholarship Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students

Applicants must meet every rule below, or the application will be rejected.

Citizenship and Return-to-India Rule

The first rule is about citizenship and your plan after the course.

• You must be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country. India is on this list.

• You must return to India for at least two years after the scholarship ends.

Degree and 2,800 Hours Work Experience

You need a degree and some work experience after it.

• Your undergraduate degree must let you join a UK master's course.

• You must finish it at least two years before the application deadline.

• You must have the degree certificate by the interview.

• You need at least 2,800 hours of work after your degree. This equals about two years of full-time work.

• Full-time jobs, part-time jobs, voluntary work and internships all count.

Age Limit and English Language Requirement

Many students ask about age and English tests. There is no upper age limit. Chevening also does not ask for an English test score. So, there is no Chevening Scholarship IELTS requirement. But you must fill the form in English. Your UK university may still ask for an English test.

Who Is Not Eligible

These people cannot apply.

• People with British or dual British citizenship (with a few exceptions)

• People living in the UK when they apply

• Staff of a UK government department, the British Council or a partner UK university, and their close relatives

• Former staff of these bodies who left in the last two years

• People who studied in the UK on a UK government-funded scholarship before

Chevening Scholarship Amount and Benefits

The award is fully funded. It covers study costs and basic living costs in the UK.

Expenses Covered Under Chevening Scholarship

The table below shows what the award pays for.

The stipend rate is reviewed every year and shown in your award letter. London gets a higher rate, as living there costs more. This covers King's College London, London School of Economics and Queen Mary University of London. Scholars at University of Manchester, University of Leeds and University of Birmingham get the outside-London rate.

Tuition Fee Rules and MBA Fee Cap

A few fee rules apply to some courses.

• For an MBA, Chevening pays up to GBP 22,000. You pay anything above it.

• Fees for all other eligible courses are fully covered.

• Most UK universities give Chevening scholars a 20 per cent fee discount. If yours does not, you may pay the difference.

• Chevening does not pay the tuition fee deposit.

Chevening Scholarship Universities and Eligible Courses

You can pick an eligible course at any UK university. You must list three different courses. Popular choices include University of Glasgow, University of Bristol and Durham University. Check each course on the Chevening course finder. Apply to each university separately too.

Course Rules for MBA, PhD and Part-Time Study

Only some types of courses are allowed.

Chevening Partner Universities and Partner Awards

Chevening works with many UK universities and organisations, called partners. Partners offer extra awards, and some go unfilled every year. Partner universities include University of St Andrews, University of Nottingham and University of Southampton. Your funding stays the same. But fewer people compete for partner awards, so your chances may be better.

Chevening Scholarship Application Process

Here is how to apply for the Chevening Scholarship online.

1. Register: Open the India page on chevening.org and click the apply button. Register your email address and mobile number.

2. Pass the eligibility checker: Answer the eligibility questions through the link sent to your email. If you fail by mistake, you get four more tries.

3. Save your access code: Note the unique code shown on screen. You need it for every login.

4. Fill in the form: Add your details, education, work history, three courses, two referees and four essays. Save often, as the system logs you out after 15 minutes of no activity.

5. Submit: Check that every section shows "complete". Then click "submit application" and "confirm submission".

Before Step 4, research courses at places like University of Edinburgh, Cardiff University and Newcastle University.

Documents Required for Chevening Scholarship

You do not upload documents at the start. Shortlisted candidates must upload these at least seven working days before the interview.

• Passport or national ID card

• Undergraduate degree certificate or diploma (transcripts are not accepted)

• Two reference letters in English (other languages need a notarised translation)

Referees can be professional or academic, but not friends or relatives.

Chevening Scholarship Essay Questions

The form has four essay questions of equal weight.

Write every essay yourself, within the word limit shown. AI-written answers are not allowed. If your first choice at University of Bath, University of Exeter or University of York. Then name the modules you want to study.

Chevening Selection Process, Interview and Result

Applications are first checked for eligibility. Reading committees then assess them. After that, British embassies and high commissions shortlist candidates for interview.

Chevening Interview Process

Shortlisted candidates get an interview invitation by email.

• Book your interview slot on the online system early.

• Upload your ID, degree certificate and reference letters on time.

• A panel with British High Commission staff interviews you in English.

• Expect questions on your application, goals, courses and university applications.

• Carry your passport or national ID card on the day.

Chevening Result and Award Stages

Log in to the online system to see your status. After the interview, you get one of three results.

The Final Award Letter comes after these tasks and your university's confirmation. Do not apply for a UK visa before it arrives.

Common Reasons Chevening Applications Get Rejected

Many applications fail for simple reasons. Here is how to avoid them.

Chevening Scholarship Contact and Help Options

Chevening has no phone helpline for applicants. Use these options instead.

Things to Check Before Submitting Chevening Application

Go through this list before you click submit.

• You are an Indian citizen, not a British or dual British citizen.

• You finished your degree at least two years before the deadline.

• Your work hours add up to at least 2,800.

• Each work entry is added only once.

• Your three courses are different and eligible.

• Your essays are in your own words.

• Each essay is within the word limit.

• Your referees are not friends or relatives.

• You have saved your unique access code.

• Every section shows "complete".

If you want to study at Lancaster University, Loughborough University or University of Sussex. Check their English test rules too.