Chevening Scholarship aspirant? Here’s a guide for the next application cycle

Each academic year, many UK scholarships are offered to outstanding international students who not only excel academically but also in other areas of life. Among the highly coveted scholarships is the prestigious Chevening Scholarship, also known as the UK government’s international scholarships programme.

The fully-funded scholarship allows some of the brightest and most talented international students from eligible countries to pursue their master’s degree in the UK. It has served a network of 50,000 alumni, who have gone on to become leaders and innovators, breaking boundaries across a variety of professional fields.

Curious to know what’s in store if you’re awarded a fully funded Chevening Scholarship to study in the UK?
Watch our video from this year’s Chevening Summit for a taster 👇 https://t.co/R7GlxLFSET#Chevening #Scholarship #IAmChevening

— Chevening Awards🇬🇧 (@CheveningFCDO) April 13, 2022

The UK is home to some of the top universities in the world, with access to world-class professors and academicians, as well as learning and research facilities. Chevening scholars get to experience all these and more to enhance their personal and professional development.

On top of that, the UK offers a myriad of exciting opportunities and experiences for international students, which include, but are not limited to, its art and entertainment scene, traditional cuisines, diversity, hospitality, recreational outdoor experiences, history and heritage, literature, and sports.

According to a report by Chevening, 1,700 new Chevening scholars arrived in the UK from 160 Chevening-eligible countries and territories for the 2019-20 academic year. There were 50 scholars each from Mexico, Brazil, China, Nigeria and Indonesia.

Although applications for the Chevening Scholarship for the upcoming 2023-24 academic year has not opened yet, it’s never too early for Chevening aspirants to get a head start. Early preparation could mean that the applicant is among the 2-3% of successful pool of candidates who are selected to receive the Chevening scholarship and fellowships.

With that being said, here is an ultimate guide for Chevening aspirants looking to commence their studies for the 2023-24 academic year.

The UK has been one of the most popular study destinations for international students for decades. It is famed for its impressive historical architecture, culture, hospitality and access to a world-class education. Source: Daniel Leal/AFP

Chevening Scholarship: Must-know details

Scholarship coverage

Besides academic opportunities, successful Chevening Scholarship applicants have the grand opportunity of participating in engagement programmes tailored to expand their network to include other Chevening alumni, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), high profile speakers and partner organisations.

Award recipients are awarded a wealth of benefits which include full payment of tuition fees, an economy return flight ticket(s) following an approved route for the student, an arrival allowance, a departure allowance as well as an early visa clearance application for the student.

The successful applicant also gets their compulsory TB testing fully paid for worth 75 British pounds, a travel top-up allowance as well as a monthly personal living allowance (stipend) to cover accommodation and living costs. The rates may differ, depending on whether the applicant studies within or outside London, and is subject to an annual review.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Chevening Scholarship and Fellowship, applicants must demonstrate or fulfil the following conditions:

• Be a citizen of one of the Chevening-eligible countries or territories.
• Have accumulated at least two years’ worth (the equivalent of 2,800 hours) of work experience.
• Have completed all components of an undergraduate degree that will enable them to gain entry into a postgraduate programme in a UK university by the time the applicant submits their application. Typical entry requirements into most master’s programmes in the UK requires the applicant to obtain the equivalent of a 2:1 (upper second-class) honours degree in the UK. However, this may differ based on the applicant’s course and university choice.
• Applicants must return to their country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after their award has ended.
• The applicant must apply to three eligible UK university courses and have received an unconditional offer from one of the course choices by July 14, 2022.

Application timeline

Applications for the Chevening scholarship typically take around eight months to process after the application deadline before a conditional offer is made to the successful applicant (typically around July the following year after the application submission).

Click here for an overview of the process.

Application opening date and deadline 

There’s no confirmation on Chevening’s website yet, but applications for the 2023-24 Chevening Scholarship are expected to open in July 2022, based on the previous year’s application timeline.

Students should refer to the Chevening website for the latest details.