Chevening scholarship: 13 questions answered from the official rules

Every year, the same questions about the Chevening scholarship travel around student forums and WhatsApp groups, and every year many of the answers are wrong. Some say there is an age limit. Others say you need IELTS. Neither is true.

So we went to the source. Every answer below comes from Chevening’s own website, its scholarship terms and conditions, or the UK government’s GOV.UK pages, as published on October 30, 2026. Where the official pages do not answer a question, we say so.

1. What is the Chevening scholarship?

Chevening is the UK government’s international scholarships programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). GOV.UK describes it as the UK government’s largest scholarships programme for international students, and it was set up in 1983 (GOV.UK). It funds a one-year master’s degree at a UK university.

2. Is Chevening hard to get?

Yes. Chevening itself calls applying a competitive and challenging process (Chevening). It does not publish an official yearly total of awards on its scholarships page, but a Chevening news story from October 2023 quotes a scholar who was one of 1,400 Chevening Scholars for 2023/24, chosen from 70,930 applicants (Chevening news). Treat that as an indication from one cohort rather than an official rate.

Selection has several stages. For the 2027/28 round, Chevening’s timeline lists eligibility checks from October 2026, reading committee assessment to January 2027, shortlisting by British embassies in mid February, interviews in March and April, and results from mid June 2027 (Chevening timeline).

3. Is Chevening for PhD or undergraduate study?

No. Chevening’s FAQ says the scholarships are for taught master’s degrees only, so PhD, DPhil and undergraduate degrees are not funded (Chevening FAQ). Chevening also runs separate fellowships for mid-career professionals.

4. Is Chevening only for one year?

Yes. You can only choose a one-year course, and Chevening will not support a course longer than 12 months in any form, even if you offer to pay for the second year yourself (Chevening FAQ). The terms and conditions say the scholarship is tenable for 12 months only.

5. Is Chevening fully funded? What does it cover?

Chevening describes its scholarships as fully funded. According to its terms and conditions, it covers:

• tuition fees (for MBAs, the contribution is capped at GBP 22,000)
• a monthly living allowance (stipend) for accommodation and living costs
• economy return travel to the UK, for the scholar only
• an arrival allowance and a departure allowance
• the cost of one visa application, for the scholar only
• up to GBP 75 for a TB test where the visa requires it
• a travel top-up to attend events in London for scholars based outside London

(Chevening terms and conditions, Chevening FAQ)

6. How much is the Chevening stipend?

Chevening does not publish the amount on the pages we read. Its FAQ says the monthly stipend depends on whether you study in London or elsewhere in the UK, and that rates are reviewed every year.

7. Is Chevening open now?

No. The 2027/28 round opened in August 2026 and closed on October 6, 2026, and country pages now say applications are closed (Chevening timeline, GOV.UK). The opening date for 2028/29 is not yet published. GOV.UK says applications usually open in August or September each year, so use the months before then to prepare.

8. Is there an age limit?

No. Chevening’s “who can apply” page says there is no upper age limit (Chevening). See our list of scholarships with no age limit for others.

9. How much work experience do I need?

At least 2,800 hours of work experience after finishing your undergraduate degree, gained over at least two years. That is roughly two years full-time at 35 hours a week. Full-time and part-time jobs, voluntary work and paid or unpaid internships all count (Chevening work experience).

10. Do I need IELTS for Chevening?

Not for Chevening itself. Its FAQ says the Chevening English language requirement was removed in 2020 (Chevening FAQ). You still have to meet your chosen university’s English requirement and hold an unconditional offer. Our guide to IELTS, TOEFL and the Duolingo English Test explains the options.

11. Can I bring my family?

You can, but Chevening will not pay for them or help. The terms and conditions say there is no provision for dependants of Chevening Scholars. Chevening gives no financial or pastoral support for family members, will not endorse their visas and will not arrange their travel, and it advises scholars not to bring dependants.

12. Can I work part-time during Chevening?

Yes, within limits. The terms and conditions allow part-time paid work, subject to Home Office and university rules, of no more than 20 hours a week during term time and 40 hours a week in vacations. Your studies must come first.

13. Do I have to return home after Chevening?

Yes. You must commit to returning to your home country for at least two years after the scholarship ends. The terms and conditions say failing to do so is a breach, and you may have to repay all the money paid to you.

Can I reapply if I was rejected?

Yes. Chevening’s applications Q&A says you can apply again, and the reading committee looks only at your latest application (Chevening Q&A). However, Chevening alumni cannot receive a second Chevening Scholarship.

How do I know a Chevening message is real?

Chevening is a real UK government programme, and its anti-fraud policy states a zero-tolerance approach to fraud. You can report suspected fraud to HOPM@chevening.org, or to the FCDO at reportingconcerns@fcdo.gov.uk (Chevening anti-fraud policy). Apply only through chevening.org, and if a message asks you for money, check it with Chevening directly. Our guide on how to avoid scholarship scams lists the warning signs.

Using AI on your Chevening application

Chevening’s official FAQ says using AI to generate answers to its essay questions is strictly prohibited. Read can I use AI on my university application? before you start writing.

Next steps

Read the full Chevening Scholarships listing, compare it in Chevening vs Fulbright vs Erasmus Mundus, and start your essays early with how to write a scholarship motivation letter.