Chevening Scholarship 2027/28 Application Guide

The Chevening Scholarship 2027/28 is now open for applications. It is the UK Government’s international scholarship programme for outstanding emerging leaders who want to pursue a one-year Master’s degree in the United Kingdom. For the 2027/28 cycle, applications opened on 4 August 2026 at 11:00 UTC and close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.

Applying for Chevening is more than completing an online form. Applicants need to meet the eligibility requirements, demonstrate qualifying work experience, select three eligible Master’s courses, prepare four application essays, provide referee details, and complete the application correctly before the deadline. If shortlisted, applicants then progress through an interview and must eventually secure an unconditional offer from at least one eligible UK university course.

This Chevening Scholarship 2027/28 application guide explains the entire process step by step, including what is required, what is not required at the initial stage, what applicants should do, what they should avoid, and what happens after submitting the application.

Chevening Scholarship 2027/28 Application at a Glance

Requirement	Details
Scholarship	Chevening Scholarship
Academic year	2027/28
Study level	Master’s
Study duration	One year
Study destination	United Kingdom
Applications opened	4 August 2026
Application deadline	6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC
Application method	Online
UK courses required	3 different eligible Master’s courses
Work experience	At least 2,800 hours
Work experience timing	After completing undergraduate degree
Referees	2
Essays	4
University application	Separate from Chevening application
University offer required initially?	No
Unconditional offer required later?	Yes
Application fee	None
AI-generated essay answers	Strictly prohibited

Chevening confirms that applications must be completed through its online application system. Applicants provide their personal, immigration, education, work, course, referee and essay information through the system.

Who Can Apply for the Chevening Scholarship 2027/28?

Before preparing essays or selecting universities, applicants should first determine whether they satisfy the eligibility requirements.

Chevening states that applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria will be rejected.

Citizenship Requirement

You must be a citizen of a country or territory that is eligible for the Chevening Scholarship.

You must apply from your country of citizenship, regardless of where you currently live.

Applicants should therefore check their specific country page before beginning the application.

Undergraduate Degree Requirement

You must have completed an undergraduate degree that enables you to gain admission to a postgraduate programme at a UK university.

The qualification must meet the requirements for the Master’s courses you intend to apply for.

Work Experience Requirement

Applicants need at least 2,800 hours of qualifying work experience, equivalent to a minimum of two years.

The experience must have been gained after completing your undergraduate degree.

Qualifying experience can include:

Full-time employment
Part-time employment
Voluntary work
Paid internships
Unpaid internships
Remote work

Chevening’s application system calculates work experience using the number of weeks worked multiplied by the hours worked per week.

Previous Master’s Degree

Having already completed a Master’s degree does not automatically prevent you from applying for Chevening.

However, you must still satisfy all other eligibility requirements and demonstrate why the proposed UK Master’s is relevant to your future goals.

Return Requirement

Chevening scholars are expected to return to their country or territory of award for at least two years after completing the scholarship.

Applicants should therefore have a credible reason for studying in the UK and a realistic plan for applying their knowledge and experience after returning home.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility Before Starting

Do not begin by writing your essays.

Start by confirming that you satisfy every mandatory eligibility condition.

Your Eligibility Checklist

Before continuing, confirm that:

You are a citizen of an eligible country or territory.
You are applying from your country of citizenship.
You have completed the required undergraduate degree.
You have at least 2,800 hours of qualifying work experience.
Your work experience was gained after your undergraduate degree.
You meet Chevening’s other eligibility restrictions.
You are prepared to return to your country or territory for the required period.

Chevening itself recommends checking eligibility before investing time in preparing the application.

Do

Read the current eligibility rules carefully.
Check your work experience mathematically.
Check your citizenship status.
Check restrictions relating to previous UK study and government-funded scholarships.
Make sure your degree qualifies you for postgraduate study.

Don’t

Assume that being an international student automatically makes you eligible.
Count work experience gained before completing your undergraduate degree.
Guess your work hours.
Submit an application simply because you believe your profile is competitive.

Step 2: Calculate Your 2,800 Hours of Work Experience

This is one of the most important parts of the application.

Chevening requires at least 2,800 hours of work experience after completing your undergraduate degree.

The online application system asks applicants to enter their work history and calculates the total based on weeks and hours entered.

What Work Experience Can Count?

Chevening allows several forms of work experience, including:

Full-time jobs
Part-time jobs
Voluntary work
Paid internships
Unpaid internships
Remote work

Multiple qualifying experiences can be included.

Example Calculation

Suppose an applicant worked:

20 hours per week × 50 weeks = 1,000 hours

If the applicant has another qualifying experience of:

20 hours per week × 50 weeks = 1,000 hours

the combined total would be:

2,000 hours

The applicant would still need additional qualifying experience to reach 2,800 hours.

This is only an illustration. Applicants should enter their actual weeks and hours, not manipulate figures to reach the required number.

Common Work-Experience Mistakes

Chevening specifically identifies several common errors:

Not reaching 2,800 hours
Entering the wrong number of weeks
Entering the same experience more than once
Providing unrealistic working hours

Do

Keep accurate records.
Separate different jobs and internships.
Calculate your actual hours.
Check the dates of each experience.

Don’t

Double-count the same job.
Invent hours.
Count experience obtained before your undergraduate degree.
Assume that “two years” automatically means you meet 2,800 hours.

Step 3: Research Your Three UK Master’s Courses

Once eligibility is established, research the courses you want to study.

Chevening requires applicants to select three different eligible Master’s courses.

You can use Chevening’s official course finder to identify eligible programmes.

What Makes a Course Eligible?

Chevening’s online application guidance states that eligible courses must:

Be full-time
Start in the autumn term, usually September or October
Lead to a Master’s degree
Be between nine and twelve months in duration

Courses cannot be:

Distance learning
Part-time
Less than nine months
More than twelve months
Starting in January
Research-based

Can the Three Courses Be at the Same University?

Yes.

The three choices must be different courses, but they do not necessarily have to be at three different universities.

However, Chevening recommends researching alternatives carefully and notes that choosing similar courses at different universities can improve your chances of receiving an offer.

How Should You Choose Your Courses?

Your choices should make sense as part of one career plan.

For example, if your long-term goal involves cybersecurity policy, selecting three unrelated Master’s degrees simply because they are prestigious would create a weaker narrative.

Instead, your choices should demonstrate:

Current background → skills gap → Master’s study → career objective → future impact

Do

Use the official Chevening course finder.
Check each university’s admission requirements.
Check course deadlines.
Research modules and programme content.
Choose courses relevant to your career plan.

Don’t

Select courses randomly.
Assume every UK Master’s is eligible.
Choose courses only because the university is famous.
Select three unrelated fields without a logical explanation.

Step 4: Apply to the Universities Separately

This is one of the most important points applicants misunderstand.

Your Chevening application is not a university application.

You must apply separately to your selected UK universities. Chevening explicitly confirms that applicants should apply directly through the universities.

University applications may require their own:

Personal statement or motivation letter
Academic documents
Degree certificates
Transcripts
References
English-language evidence
Programme-specific documents

Requirements vary by university and course.

Do You Need to Apply to Universities Before Submitting Chevening?

No.

Chevening’s online application guidance explicitly says that applying to your selected courses before submitting the Chevening application is not a requirement.

However, Chevening recommends applying to your chosen courses as soon as possible because university deadlines can be earlier than expected and some courses can fill before their published deadline.

Important Difference

Chevening application: Apply for the scholarship.

University application: Apply for admission to the Master’s programme.

You need to complete both processes.

Step 5: Register for the Chevening Application

All Chevening applications are submitted online.

The official process begins by selecting the Apply Today option from the relevant country or territory page.

You will then:

Read and accept the terms and conditions.
Provide your email address.
Provide your mobile phone number.
Receive an email containing a link to the application portal.
Complete the eligibility questions.
Receive your unique application access code if you pass the eligibility checker.

Save Your Access Code

Your unique access code is important.

Chevening recommends keeping it somewhere safe because you will need it to access your application again.

Step 6: Complete the Online Application Form

After passing the eligibility checker, you can begin completing the application.

The application contains several sections.

Personal Details

You will provide information such as:

Full name
Passport information
Date of birth
Address
Pronouns
Preferred interview location

Your name should be entered as it appears on your passport.

Immigration Details

You will provide relevant citizenship and passport information.

Education History

You will enter your education history, including:

Institutions
Courses
Results

The system allows up to 15 education entries.

Work History

You can add up to 15 work-experience entries.

The system calculates your work experience based on the information you enter.

Programmes of Study

You must provide your three preferred UK Master’s courses.

You will also be asked whether you have already applied to those courses.

Remember: you do not have to have applied to the universities before submitting the Chevening application.

Step 7: Prepare the Four Chevening Essays

The four essays are one of the most important parts of the application.

Chevening assesses applicants across four areas:

Leadership and influencing
Relationship-building and networking
Studying in the UK and course choice
Career goals

Your answers should demonstrate your own experiences, decisions, achievements and future plans.

Leadership and Influencing

Do not simply state:

“I am a strong leader.”

Instead, provide a specific example demonstrating what you did and what happened because of your actions.

A useful way to structure your thinking is:

Situation → Action → Influence → Result → Lesson

Relationship-Building and Networking

Explain how you have built and maintained meaningful professional relationships.

Focus on:

Who you worked with
Why the relationship mattered
What you contributed
How you maintained it
What resulted

Simply listing people you know is not enough.

Studying in the UK and Course Choice

Explain why your chosen courses are relevant to your background and future goals.

Your answer should make the connection between your:

Current skills → skills gap → selected Master’s → UK study → future career

clear.

Career Goals

Explain what you intend to accomplish after your studies.

Your plan should be realistic and connected to the impact you want to create in your country or wider community.

Chevening’s guidance emphasizes the importance of having a clear and realistic plan for progressing into leadership and contributing to positive change.

Do

Use genuine examples.
Explain your personal contribution.
Demonstrate results.
Connect your experiences to your future goals.
Answer the actual question.
Write in your own words.
Respect the specified word limits.

Don’t

Copy someone else’s essay.
Invent achievements.
Use generic motivational statements.
Repeat the same example unnecessarily.
Write what you think Chevening “wants to hear” instead of explaining your actual experience.

Step 8: Do Not Use AI to Generate Your Chevening Essays

This deserves special attention.

Chevening explicitly states that using AI software to generate answers to its essay questions is strictly prohibited. Applicants must submit their own original work.

Chevening also says it uses tools to identify fraud, plagiarism and AI-generated content.

If an application is found to contain fraudulent or copied material, it can be disqualified.

Therefore:

You should

Think through your own experiences.
Write your own answers.
Proofread your own work.
Make sure every example is truthful.
Make your application reflect your actual voice.

You should not

Ask ChatGPT to write your Chevening essays.
Copy another applicant’s essay.
Purchase an essay.
Submit AI-generated text as your own.
Have someone else write your answers.

Chevening also says the application itself is free and does not endorse third parties that charge applicants for application support or advice.

Step 9: Choose Your Two Referees

Applicants provide the names and contact details of two referees in the application.

If you progress to the interview stage, you will need to provide two reference letters from those referees.

Choose Referees Who Know Your Work

The best referee is not necessarily the person with the most impressive job title.

Choose someone who can credibly discuss your:

Professional experience
Academic ability, where relevant
Leadership
Character
Achievements
Potential

Do

Ask the person in advance.
Make sure they know your work.
Confirm their contact details.
Explain that you are applying for Chevening.

Don’t

Use a person who barely knows you.
Use someone simply because they are famous.
Provide incorrect contact information.
Leave the process until the last minute.

Step 10: Understand Which Documents Are Required

Applicants often confuse the documents required when submitting the initial application with those required if they reach the interview stage.

For the initial online application, Chevening asks for information including your education, work history, course choices, referee details and essays.

If you progress to the interview stage, Chevening requires documentation including:

Two reference letters written by your nominated referees in English
Your undergraduate degree certificate

Chevening specifically states that an undergraduate transcript will not be accepted instead of the required degree certificate.

The current application timeline says shortlisted candidates must upload their documentation at least seven working days before the interview.

Step 11: Review Your Application for Common Errors

Before submission, do a complete audit.

Chevening itself highlights common application mistakes, including problems with eligibility, work experience, course choices, originality and English-language completion.

Check Your Work Experience

Make sure you have not:

Entered the same experience twice
Used unrealistic hours
Entered incorrect weeks
Fallen below 2,800 hours

Check Your Courses

Make sure:

All three are different
All are eligible
Your choices make sense
You have researched the universities
You understand the university admission requirements

Check Your Essays

Ask:

Did I answer the question directly?
Did I provide specific examples?
Did I explain my personal contribution?
Did I show results?
Are the examples genuinely mine?
Did I stay within the word limit?
Is everything written in English?

Check Your Information

Verify:

Name
Passport information
Education
Employment
Contact details
Course choices
Referees

Step 12: Submit the Application

Once every section is complete, the system allows you to submit the application.

Chevening’s online application system requires all sections to be marked complete before submission. You then consent to the scholarship conditions, click Submit Application, and confirm the submission.

2027/28 Deadline

The application deadline is:

6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.

The online system will no longer be accessible for submissions after the deadline.

Don’t Wait Until the Final Day

Technical problems, missing information or simple mistakes can create unnecessary risk.

Submit early enough to have time to resolve problems.

Step 13: What Happens After You Submit?

Submitting the application does not mean you have received the scholarship.

Chevening’s selection process continues through several stages.

Stage 1: Eligibility Sift

From October 2026, applications are checked against the eligibility criteria.

Stage 2: Reading Committee Assessment

From mid-October 2026 to January 2027, independent reading committees assess eligible applications.

Stage 3: Interview Shortlist

Applicants shortlisted for interviews are expected to be notified around mid-February 2027.

Stage 4: Interview

Interviews take place during March and April 2027 at British embassies and high commissions.

Stage 5: Results

Results begin being announced from mid-June 2027.

Stage 6: Unconditional University Offer

Successful candidates must receive and submit at least one unconditional offer from a UK university by:

8 July 2027 at 17:00 BST.

Stage 7: Begin Your Master’s

The 2027/28 Chevening scholars are expected to begin their studies in the UK during September/October 2027.

Step 14: Prepare for the Chevening Interview

If you are shortlisted, the interview becomes the next major stage.

You should be prepared to discuss the claims and examples included in your application.

Review:

Your leadership examples
Your networking experiences
Your career goals
Your chosen courses
Why you want to study in the UK
The problems you want to address
How you intend to create impact after returning home

Most Important Rule

Be consistent with your application.

Do not invent new achievements simply because you think they sound impressive during the interview.

Your interview should reinforce the story presented in your application.

Step 15: Secure Your UK University Offer

Even if your Chevening application is successful, you still need to satisfy the university admission process.

You must secure an unconditional offer from at least one of your selected UK university courses by the applicable Chevening deadline.

This is why university applications should not be ignored while waiting for Chevening results.

You should work on both processes simultaneously.

Chevening Scholarship 2027/28 Dos and Don’ts

Do	Don’t
Check eligibility first	Apply without checking eligibility
Calculate your actual work hours	Guess or inflate hours
Choose three eligible courses	Choose random courses
Apply separately to universities	Assume Chevening applies for you
Use genuine examples	Invent achievements
Demonstrate your impact	Make generic claims
Choose appropriate referees	Choose people who barely know you
Write your own essays	Use AI to generate essays
Check every section before submitting	Rush the application
Apply to universities early	Wait until Chevening results
Keep your application consistent	Change your story during interview
Save your access code	Lose access to your application

What You Need and What You Do Not Need

Required for the Initial Application

You need to provide:

Personal information
Citizenship and immigration information
Education history
Work history
Three eligible Master’s course choices
Two referee details
Four essay responses
Required declarations and application information

Not Required Before Submitting the Initial Chevening Application

You do not need to have already received an unconditional UK university offer when submitting your Chevening application.

You also do not need to submit your university application through Chevening. University applications are made separately.

Required Later If You Reach the Interview Stage

You will need to provide documents including:

Undergraduate degree certificate
Two reference letters

These documents must be submitted according to the Chevening timeline.

Chevening Scholarship 2027/28 Application Timeline

Stage	Date
Applications open	4 August 2026
Applications close	6 October 2026, 11:00 UTC
Eligibility checks	From October 2026
Reading committee assessment	Mid-October 2026 – January 2027
Interview shortlist	Mid-February 2027
Interviews	March–April 2027
Results	From mid-June 2027
Unconditional university offer deadline	8 July 2027, 17:00 BST
Studies begin	September/October 2027

This timeline comes directly from Chevening’s current 2027/28 application timeline.

Chevening Scholarship 2027/28 Application Checklist

Before You Apply

Check your country or territory eligibility
Confirm your undergraduate degree
Calculate your qualifying work experience
Confirm at least 2,800 hours
Check all other eligibility requirements
Research eligible Master’s courses
Select three different courses
Research the university admission requirements
Identify two suitable referees

While Completing the Application

Register through the official Chevening system
Save your unique access code
Complete personal information
Complete immigration information
Add education history
Add work history
Add three course choices
Add two referees
Answer all four essay questions
Complete the application in English
Review all information
Check word limits
Confirm the essays are your own work

Before Submission

Check work-experience calculations
Check that all three courses are different
Check course eligibility
Check spelling of your name and passport details
Check referee information
Review every essay
Confirm there is no copied or AI-generated essay content
Make sure every section is marked complete
Submit before 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC

After Submission

Apply to your selected UK universities
Track university deadlines
Stay available for Chevening communications
Prepare for an interview if shortlisted
Arrange reference letters if invited
Prepare your undergraduate degree certificate
Work toward securing an unconditional university offer

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Chevening Scholarship 2027/28 deadline?

The deadline is 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.

Is the Chevening Scholarship 2027/28 currently open?

Yes. Applications for the 2027/28 cycle opened on 4 August 2026 and are currently open.

How many Master’s courses do I need to select?

You must select three different eligible UK Master’s courses.

Do the three courses have to be at three different universities?

No. The courses must be different, but they can be at up to three UK universities.

Do I need to apply to the universities before submitting my Chevening application?

No. Chevening confirms that applying to the selected courses before submitting your scholarship application is not a requirement. However, you should apply to the universities as early as possible.

How much work experience do I need?

You need at least 2,800 hours of qualifying work experience, equivalent to a minimum of two years, gained after completing your undergraduate degree.

Can internships count as Chevening work experience?

Yes. Chevening states that paid and unpaid internships can count, along with other qualifying types of work experience.

Can voluntary work count?

Yes. Voluntary work is included among the types of work experience that can qualify.

Do I need an English-language test for Chevening?

Chevening itself does not require an English test score as part of its scholarship application. However, applicants still need sufficient English ability to complete the application and may need to meet separate English-language requirements imposed by their chosen UK universities.

How many referees do I need?

You need two referees. You provide their details in the initial application and, if invited to interview, provide their reference letters according to Chevening’s instructions.

Do I need reference letters when I first submit the application?

The initial application requires the details of two referees. If you progress to the interview stage, you must provide the reference letters.

Do I need an unconditional university offer when applying?

No. An unconditional offer is required later if you progress successfully through the selection process. For the 2027/28 cycle, the deadline to submit at least one unconditional UK university offer is 8 July 2027 at 17:00 BST.

Can I use ChatGPT to write my Chevening essays?

No.

Chevening explicitly prohibits using AI software to generate answers to its essay questions. Applicants must submit their own original work.

Does Chevening charge an application fee?

No. Chevening states that applying for a scholarship is free and does not require applicants to pay someone to submit an application.

What happens after I submit my application?

Eligible applications go through assessment by independent reading committees. Shortlisted applicants are invited to interviews, and successful candidates must subsequently obtain an unconditional offer from at least one UK university course.

When will Chevening 2027/28 results be announced?

Results are scheduled to begin being announced from mid-June 2027.

Final Advice for Chevening Applicants

The strongest way to approach the Chevening Scholarship 2027/28 application is to treat it as two connected applications: the scholarship application and your UK university applications.

First, make sure you are genuinely eligible. Then calculate your work experience accurately, research three eligible Master’s courses, and apply to those universities separately. After that, build your Chevening application around your actual experiences, leadership, relationships, course choices and career objectives.

Do not try to make your application sound impressive by exaggerating your achievements. Chevening’s own guidance emphasizes original work, evidence and a clear connection between your ambitions, UK study and future impact.

Most importantly, do not use AI-generated answers for the four Chevening essays. Chevening explicitly prohibits this and states that applications can be checked for AI-generated content, plagiarism and fraud.

For the 2027/28 cycle, the application deadline is 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Start the university application process early rather than waiting for the scholarship result, because securing an unconditional offer is a later requirement for successful Chevening candidates.

Official Chevening Resources

Last verified: August 28, 2026. The information above is based on Chevening’s current official guidance for the 2027/28 scholarship cycle.