Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a 2026 Chevening Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory.
- Return to their home country for at least two years after completing the scholarship.
- Have at least two years (2,800 hours) of post-graduation work experience.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree that qualifies for a UK postgraduate program.
- Apply to three different eligible UK university courses, and receive at least one unconditional offer before the final deadline.
Important Changes for 2026
1. Work Experience Update:
- Only work experience gained after graduation is now valid. This includes:
- Full-time or part-time jobs
- Paid or unpaid internships
- Voluntary roles
- Experience gained during your undergraduate studies no longer counts toward the two-year requirement.
2. Essay Revisions:
- Essay word limits have been reduced from 500 words to 300 words.
- New essay questions emphasize your academic choices’ relevance to global priority areas, such as:Promoting growth and prosperity
- Climate resilience
- Peace and security
- Inclusive and effective development
Application Tips
- Research UK universities and eligible master’s programs early
- Prepare your references and ensure your documents are ready before the final submission date.
- Start drafting your essays well in advance, focusing on clarity and alignment with Chevening’s global priorities.
- Applications Open August 5, 2025 (12:00 UTC)
- Applications Close October 7, 2025 (12:00 UTC)