British Chevening Scholarship: Eligibility and How to Apply

The British Chevening Scholarship is a one-of-a-kind master’s degree scholarship that provides future global leaders an opportunity to grow academically and professionally. You also get to explore the British culture and create beneficial interactions in the country as a recipient of the scholarship. 

Imagine an opportunity to study for a master’s in the UK tuition-free, explore the British culture, and, who knows, maybe bump into Simon Cowell in the streets! Chevening is UK’s international awards system whose main objective is to develop global leaders.

British Chevening Scholarship is awarded to thousands of students worldwide every year. A Chevening scholarship will help you realise and achieve your true potential. You are expected to commit to a full-time study for a one-year master’s degree at any eligible UK university.

British Chevening Scholarship offers two types of awards – Scholarships and Fellowships, which are selected worldwide by British embassies and high commissions. If you are eligible, continue reading this article to learn more about the application process and the eligibility criteria.

Chevening Scholarship Eligibility

All Chevening Scholarship applications are scrutinised to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria before sending applications to the Evaluation Committee. Your application will be immediately rejected if you do not meet the requirements. Read below to learn what you should or should not have to win the application selection phase. 

You must meet the following criteria: 

• Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country 
• Return to your home country for at least two years after the scholarship period ends.
• Have proof that you completed all undergraduate coursework necessary for postgraduate study in the UK.
• Have at least two years of work experience or 2800 completed work hours.
• Application to three eligible UK programmes.
• Have received at least one unconditional offer from one of the applied programmes or universities.

You will not receive the Chevening Scholarship if you meet one of the following criteria: 

• British or dual British citizenship. 
• A refugee in a country that is not eligible for the Chevening programme. 
• Relative or employee of Her Majesty’s Government. 
• A staff member of the Commonwealth Universities Association. 
• Previously studied in the UK through funding from a UK Government-funded scholarship.

Work Experience for Chevening Scholarships

Work experience is essential in determining an applicant’s eligibility for the British Chevening Scholarship. You must have at least two years of working experience. By working experience, Chevening considers full-time or part-time employment, paid or unpaid internships, and voluntary work.

The master’s programme you apply for can be in a different field from your work experience, but you must provide reasons to change your career. You do not need to provide proof of your work experience or certifications from the hiring company.

However, you may receive questions about your work at the interview stage, so be prepared. Chevening will calculate your work hours based on the working experience you listed. It is not mandatory to have worked a certain number of hours at one job; you may accumulate the required amount by combining all your previous job positions.

UK Universities in the British Chevening Scholarship Programme

Here are some of the UK Universities that the Chevening Scholarship supports:

• University of Essex
• University of Exeter
• University of Bath
• Schumacher College
• Durham University
• St George’s, University of London
• University of Leeds
• University of Birmingham
• Newcastle University
• University of Salford
• Birkbeck, University of London
• Brunel University London
• University of Cambridge
• Bournemouth University
• University of Reading
• Queen Mary University of London
• University of Southampton
• University of Stirling
• Oxford University
• Cranfield University
• LSE University of Glasgow
• University of Nottingham
• University of Surrey
• Bangor University
• University of South Wales
• University of Sussex
• Robert Gordon University
• Swansea University
• University of Central Lancashire
• Bournemouth University
• University of Bradford
• University of Bristol
• Coventry University
• University of East Anglia
• University of Dundee
• University of Warwick

Tips for Applying for British Chevening Scholarship

For starters, you can only make your Chevening application online. You will need to create an account with the system to get started. Make sure you check your account frequently and don’t forget your password, as it will serve as a platform for all scholarship-related information.

The Chevening application opens every year, either in August or September. Remember that you can email your university’s original transcripts and diplomas without translations when filling out your application. The acceptable uploads should be less than 5MB and in PDF, JPG, and PNG.

The scholarship committee prefers that you use the Google Chrome browser to complete your application, as the form will appear in its complete format. Refrain from repeatedly pressing your back or forward buttons to avoid accidentally erasing any information you have entered into the application.

If you make changes to the application form, save them before the session expires. There is a possibility to fill out the entire application in multiple sessions. You can use this time to obtain relevant documents or to draft responses to questions you do not have at the first session.

Remember, you cannot easily change your contacts or upload new documents once you have submitted your application. So, assess your application thoroughly before submitting it. You may need to check other applicants’ mistakes to avoid making the same errors.

How to Apply for British Chevening Scholarship

It’s easy to apply for Chevening scholarships. Just make sure you have your necessary documents and essays ready. 

1. Select your country and then choose Chevening Scholarship.
2. Create a Chevening account.
3. Fill your profile with your personal information. Make sure you save to validate your profile, then start your application.
4. Complete the quiz to ascertain that you meet the eligibility for the Scholarship.

Fill the application with the required information and prepare the following documents:

• Academic certificates and transcripts.
• English language qualification, e.g. IELTS or equivalent.
• Provide references. If you are invited for an interview, you will be asked to submit two references.
• National ID.
• International passport.
• Submit the Chevening application.

Find out more about other scholarship opportunities for international students here.