UK Graduate Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships are for future leaders from around the world, usually to fund one-year Masters courses at British universities.
The Chevening Scholarships programme started in 1984. It was originally called the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Scholarships and Awards Scheme. A few years later the name was changed to Chevening – after Chevening House in the Sevenoaks District of Kent, which is currently the joint official residence of the Foreign Secretary and the Deputy Prime Minister. Chevening Scholarships are for talented people who have been
identified as potential future leaders across a wide range of fields including politics, business, the media, civil society, religion and academia. Most scholars undertake a one year master’s degree.
Who should apply?
Chevening Scholarships are for high calibre graduates with the personal, intellectual and interpersonal qualities necessary for leadership. Applicants should be:
- Motivated to make a career that will take them to positions of leadership in their own country within ten years of their scholarship
- Able to use their studies and experience in the UK to benefit themselves, their countries and the UK
- Natural influencers and talented communicators, with energy and ambition
- People who value networking and who can demonstrate the value of networks to their studies, and to bringing about change on a global level
- Intelligent, with demonstrable academic potential
- Strong characters with integrity, drive, and the ability to self manage and work independently
How to apply
There is no coordinated global launch of the programme for UK Graduate Scholarships. British missions around the world will advertise Chevening separately, so timings will vary. Some Embassies will advertise as early as late autumn, while others will start as late as spring.
Before applying
Please check your local British Embassy or High Commission website, and your local British Council website, for details about how the scheme will operate in your country, including information about timings and whether criteria about areas of interest have been applied. Foreign Office priorities are likely to be borne in mind during selection but it is also possible that local criteria will have been applied too.
Making an application
Prospective scholars applying for Chevening scholarships should apply using our online application tool, eChevening. If you have any questions about the online process or any other difficulties, please direct them to the nearest British Council office.
In order to apply for a Chevening UK Graduate Scholarships you should meet the following general conditions:
Condition 1 – you must not be a British Citizen (although dual nationals will be considered on a case by case basis).
Condition 2 – you must have at least one qualification at degree level or equivalent.
To complete the e-Chevening application form you will require details of your qualifications and past experience as well as the contact details of two referees. You will also be required to complete a personal statement describing why you wish to study in the UK and how you expect to benefit from your proposed qualification. Please note that should you be called to an interview, you will be required to bring original reference letters from your designated referees, together with your original certificates for the qualifications you record.
You may save your application at any time and access your saved data by entering your user name and password.
Please note that should you be invited to attend an interview, you must be able to travel to a specified FCO or British Council post in your country of citizenship. Applicants may not apply for a Chevening scholarship from any other country other than that in which they hold citizenship.
Should you be successful at the first selection stage, we may request references from your referees before your attendance at interview. You will also be required to bring the original reference letters and qualification certificates with you.
To proceed to the e-Chevening application form please read the following terms and conditions:
In submitting this form you confirm that the information you have provided is complete and accurate and that you will comply with the conditions laid down.
You agree to the processing of your personal data in accordance with the FCO’s notification to the Information Commissioner under the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) (available at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk) by the FCO, which is the ‘data controller’ for the purposes of the DPA. Your personal data will be used to assess your suitability and verify your eligibility for a Chevening scholarship and for making arrangements with a Higher Education Institute for placement, where appropriate. Your personal data may also be used in the collation of statistical information relating to Chevening applicants which will assist the FCO and the British Council in the management and administration of the Chevening scholarships programme.
APPLY HERE – eChevening UK Graduate Scholarships