If you want to apply for a Chevening Scholarship as an international student you must meet several criteria. These requirements ensure the Chevening program selects candidates who can benefit from the scholarship and make a positive impact in their home countries.
Key Requirements
Here are the main eligibility conditions you must satisfy
- Citizenship
You must be a citizen of a country or territory that is eligible for Chevening. - Return Commitment
After completing your scholarship you must commit to returning to your home country for at least two years. - Undergraduate Degree
You need to hold an undergrad degree that qualifies you for a UK master’s programme. That often means equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree. - Work Experience
You must have at least 2800 hours of work experience after your undergraduate graduation. That is approximately two years of full time work or part time or internships or voluntary work combined. - Apply to Three Eligible UK Courses
You need to apply to three different UK university courses that are eligible for Chevening and at least one of those must give you an unconditional offer by the relevant deadline for references and education documents.
Read More: Top 10 Courses to Study with Chevening Scholarship 2025
Disqualifications or Things that Make You Ineligible
You cannot apply or be selected if
- You hold British or dual British citizenship unless you are a citizen of a British Overseas Territory or holding BNO in specific circumstances
- You are a refugee in a country not eligible for Chevening unless you are a citizen of an eligible country but residing as refugee in another eligible country
- You or your close relatives are employed with the UK government British High Commissions or Embassies British Council or sponsoring UK universities or partner organisations within the last two years
- You have previously studied in the UK on a UK government funded scholarship
Other Important Conditions and Criteria
These additional points are important to meet or demonstrate
- Leadership Potential and Vision
Chevening looks for people who show leadership qualities ambition ability to influence and bring change. You must demonstrate these in your essays references and overall application. - Academic Excellence
While there is no fixed GPA having strong academic records helps. Your undergrad degree must be good enough for UK master’s entry. - English Proficiency
Chevening itself does not require a specific test result in the application but the university you apply to likely will require proof of English like IELTS TOEFL or equivalent or provide a waiver. - Reference and Education Documents
You need valid references and education documents and you must have an unconditional offer from at least one UK university before the given deadlines.
Latest Changes and Notes for 2025
- The work experience requirement is now strictly after undergraduate graduation. Experience during studies does not count.
- Applicants who graduated after October 2023 may not yet be eligible because they may not have enough time to gain the required work experience.
- Essay questions have been updated and now focus more on how your course choices relate to global issues like climate change inclusive societies and security.
FAQ Section
Q: Can I apply if I already have a master’s degree
A: Yes you can. Having a master’s degree does not disqualify you. The key is to show how another master’s will help you create positive change.
Q: What kinds of work count toward the 2800 hours
A: Full time part time voluntary work paid or unpaid internships. You may combine different work periods. Work that was mandatory as part of your degree does not count.
Q: Do I need to prove English proficiency for Chevening application itself
A: No you do not submit test results with the scholarship application but you must meet the university English requirement to secure admission.