Chevening Scholarship is the UK government’s flagship international scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It pays for a one-year taught master’s degree in the UK, and applications for the 2027-28 cycle are open for Indian students right now.
The last date to apply is 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Chevening does not accept late applications, and the online application system closes at that exact time.
Chevening Scholarship 2027-28
Quick facts2026-27
| Scholarship from | UK government – Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) |
| Study level | One-year taught master’s degree in the UK (full-time only) |
| Who can apply | Indian citizens with an undergraduate degree and 2 years (2,800 hours) of work experience |
| What is covered | Tuition fees, monthly living stipend, return airfare, arrival and departure allowance, visa cost |
| Last date to apply | 6 October 2026, 11:00 UTC |
| Official website | chevening.org |
Chevening Scholarship benefits
Chevening covers the full cost of a one-year master’s in the UK. According to the official Chevening FAQ, an award includes:
- Payment of tuition fees.
- Economy travel to and from your country of residence by an approved route, for the scholar only.
- An arrival allowance and a departure allowance.
- The cost of an entry clearance (visa) application, for the scholar only.
- A contribution of up to £75 for TB testing, where this is required.
- A travel top-up allowance.
- A monthly personal living allowance (stipend) to cover accommodation and living expenses. The monthly amount depends on whether you study inside or outside London, and the rates are reviewed every year.
Chevening does not publish a fixed stipend figure on its website. The programme states only that the monthly living allowance depends on whether your university is inside or outside London – so treat any exact rupee or pound figure quoted by third-party sites with caution.
Chevening eligibility for Indian students
India is a Chevening-eligible country. To be eligible you must:
- Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory.
- Commit to returning to India for at least two years after the scholarship ends.
- Have at least 2,800 hours of work experience (roughly two years of full-time work at 35 hours a week), acquired after completing your undergraduate degree.
- Have completed your undergraduate degree by October 2024 for the current application cycle, so that the two-year work-experience window is met.
- Hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies you for a UK master’s programme.
- Apply to three different and eligible UK university courses, and have an unconditional offer from at least one of them by the offer deadline.
You are not eligible if you hold British or dual British citizenship, if you are resident in the UK at the time of application, if you hold refugee status in a country that is not Chevening-eligible, or if you are an employee (or an immediate relative of an employee) of a government department, the British Council or a partner UK university. Applicants who have already studied in the UK on a UK government-funded scholarship are also excluded.
Having a master’s degree does not stop you from applying for a second master’s degree in the UK.
Work experience requirement in detail
The 2,800-hour requirement is more flexible than most students assume. Chevening counts full-time employment, part-time employment, voluntary work and paid or unpaid internships, and you can list up to fifteen different employment periods to reach the total. The system multiplies the number of weeks worked by the hours worked per week, and your entries are calculated automatically. If you are employed now, you do not have to resign to apply.
Chevening important dates 2027-28
| 4 August 2026 | Applications open at 11:00 UTC |
| 6 October 2026 | Applications close at 11:00 UTC – last date to apply |
| From October 2026 | Applications are sifted against eligibility criteria |
| Mid-October 2026 to January 2027 | Independent reading committee assessments |
| Mid-February 2027 | Applicants shortlisted for interview |
| March to April 2027 | Interviews at British embassies and high commissions |
| Mid-June 2027 | Results announced |
| 8 July 2027, 17:00 BST | Deadline to submit an unconditional UK university offer |
| September/October 2027 | Studies begin in the UK |
If you are invited for an interview, you must upload your documents to the online application system at least seven working days before the interview.
Documents required for Chevening
- Photo ID (passport).
- Undergraduate education certificate or diploma.
- Reference letters – two references are needed for the application.
- An unconditional offer letter from at least one of your three chosen UK universities, submitted by the offer deadline.
- Your email address and phone number to create the application.
- Your unique access code for the online application system, which you need at every stage of the process.
How to apply for the Chevening Scholarship
- Read the official eligibility criteria on chevening.org and confirm that you meet all of them.
- Shortlist three eligible one-year taught master’s courses at UK universities.
- Note down your unique access code for the Chevening online application system.
- Fill in the application on the Chevening portal, using your email address and phone number.
- Submit the application before 6 October 2026, 11:00 UTC.
- Apply separately to your three UK universities, since Chevening does not arrange admission.
- If shortlisted, upload the documents at least seven working days before your interview.
- If selected, submit an unconditional offer from a UK university by 17:00 BST on 8 July 2027.
Chevening selection process
- Applications are first sifted against the eligibility criteria.
- Independent reading committees assess every eligible application between mid-October 2026 and January 2027.
- British embassies and high commissions produce the shortlist by mid-February 2027, and candidates are invited to interview.
- Interviews are held between March and April 2027.
- Results are announced from mid-June 2027, and the scholars start their courses in September or October 2027.
Chevening also has partner awards, which are additional scholarships offered with partner universities. The programme notes that some partner awards go unfilled every year, and that applying for a partner award can improve your chances of selection.
Chevening is the UK government’s international scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. It funds a one-year taught master’s degree in the UK, including tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, return airfare and visa costs.
Applications close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. The official Chevening application timeline says the system cannot be accessed after that time, and late applications are not accepted.
At least 2,800 hours of work experience, acquired after your undergraduate degree, spread over a minimum of two years. For the current cycle you must have completed your undergraduate degree by October 2024. Part-time work, voluntary work and internships all count.
Chevening pays a monthly personal living allowance, but it does not publish a fixed figure. The amount depends on whether you study inside or outside London, and the rates are reviewed annually.
Yes. You do not need to resign from your job to apply. However, if you are selected, it is your responsibility to make sure your employer will release you for the duration of the course.
Not at the application stage. You must name three eligible UK university courses in your application, and you need an unconditional offer from at least one of them by 17:00 BST on 8 July 2027 if you are selected.
Yes. Chevening states that having a master’s degree does not prevent you from applying for a second master’s degree in the UK.
Official links
- Chevening in India – official country page
- Chevening application timeline 2027-28
- Chevening eligibility criteria
- Chevening work experience rules
- What a Chevening Scholarship covers (official FAQ)
- Chevening online application system
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