Chevening Scholarship 2026: Full Application Guide
The UK government's flagship scholarship is open. Fully funded one-year master's at any UK university for emerging African leaders.
Chevening is the UK government's international scholarships programme funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. It sponsors future leaders from over 160 countries for a fully-funded one-year master's in the UK. This guide walks you through eligibility, the four essays, deadlines and a strategy that has worked for hundreds of African awardees.
Who is Chevening for?
Chevening is built for emerging leaders with at least two years of work experience, an undergraduate degree, and a clear plan to return home and contribute. Selectors are not looking for the highest GPA — they look for ambition, evidence of leadership and a focused career plan.
What's covered
Full tuition fees, monthly living stipend, return economy flights, arrival allowance, departure allowance, thesis grant where applicable, and travel costs for the Chevening events programme. You arrive in the UK with effectively zero out-of-pocket cost.
Eligibility checklist
Citizen of a Chevening-eligible country, undergraduate degree meeting UK 2:1 standard, at least 2,800 hours of work experience (~2 years full time), apply to three different eligible UK master's courses, commit to returning to your home country for two years after the programme.
The four essays — what actually wins
Each essay is 500 words. Leadership: one specific story with measurable outcomes. Networking: how you build relationships across difference. Studying in the UK: why these three specific courses. Career plan: a vivid 5-year vision tied to a real problem in your country.
Timeline
Applications typically open in August and close in early November. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed at British High Commissions between February and April. Offers issued in June, arrival in September.
