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Chevening (UK) 2026: eligibility, amount, selection and how to apply

Fully funded Study in United Kingdom

Chevening Scholarship (UK Government), given by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), UK Government. Fully funded: fees, monthly stipend, travel and visa.

Given byUK Government (FCDO)
LevelPostgraduate
MoneyFully funded: fees, monthly stipend, travel and visa
How many get itNot published for India
This year2027-28 round closed in Oct 2026

Chevening: IndiaCheck if you can applyLetter of recommendation helperVisa

Who can apply for Chevening (UK)

You can apply if

  • A citizen of a Chevening-eligible country (India is one)
  • Commit to returning to your home country for at least two years after the scholarship
  • At least two years' work experience after your undergraduate degree (equal to 2,800 hours)
  • An undergraduate degree that qualifies you for a UK master's, finished at least two years before the deadline
  • Apply to three different eligible UK university courses, and hold an unconditional offer from one by the deadline

Not eligible

  • British or dual British citizens (with limited exceptions)
  • People living in the UK when they apply
  • Employees, immediate relatives or recent former employees of the listed UK government departments, the British Council or partner universities
  • Anyone who studied in the UK before on a UK government-funded scholarship

Check if you can apply

Answer from your own documents. The questions are the scholarship's published rules; your answers stay in this browser.

Will you have at least two years (2,800 hours) of work experience after your undergraduate degree by the deadline?
Will you return to India for at least two years after the scholarship?
Can you apply to three UK master's courses and get an unconditional offer by the deadline?
Have you never studied in the UK on a UK government-funded scholarship?

Answer the questions to see if you meet the published conditions.

How many get it: The number of Chevening awards for India is not published on the official pages checked. Source: Chevening (UK Government, FCDO).

JanWatchdog does not give a percentage chance: the scholarship does not publish one. Meeting every rule makes you eligible to apply; selection then depends on the steps below.

What Chevening (UK) pays

Fully funded: fees, monthly stipend, travel and visa. Tuition fees, a monthly living allowance (rate depends on studying in or outside London and is reviewed each year), economy return travel, the visa application cost, and arrival, departure and travel top-up allowances.

What it covers

How Chevening (UK) selection works

  1. Eligibility check from October
  2. Independent reading committees assess applications from mid-October to January
  3. British embassies and high commissions shortlist for interview in mid-February
  4. Interviews from March to April
  5. Results from mid-June
  6. Unconditional university offer due by 8 July 2027 (for 2027-28)

How to apply for Chevening (UK), step by step

  1. Apply online through India's country page on chevening.org when applications open (August for the 2027-28 cohort).
  2. Apply to three UK master's courses.
  3. Write the essays the form asks for and name two referees.
  4. If invited to interview, upload both reference letters and other documents at least seven working days before the interview.
  5. Send at least one unconditional offer by the offer deadline.

Dates: 2027-28 cohort: applications opened in August 2026 and closed in October 2026; interviews March to April 2027; results from mid-June 2027; studies start September or October 2027.

Documents to keep ready

Chevening: India

Letters of recommendation for Chevening (UK)

How many2
From whomTwo referees: two professional, two academic, or one of each
How they are sentChevening does not contact referees

Who should write them: Two referees: two professional, two academic, or one of each. A professional or personal contact who knows you well, not a friend or relative.

How they are sent: Chevening does not contact referees. Your referee gives you the signed letter, written in English and addressed to the British High Commission; you upload the two letters at least seven working days before your interview.

What the letter should cover

Prepare notes and a starting draft for your referee

Fill in what you can. The helper puts your examples under each point the scholarship asks about and writes notes and a plain starting draft. Your referee must write the letter in their own words, check every fact and sign it: scholarships check references, and a letter your referee does not stand behind can cost you the scholarship.

Visa: UK Student visa

  1. Get an offer of a place from your UK university (it must be a licensed student sponsor).
  2. Apply online from India no earlier than 6 months before your course starts.
  3. Pay the application fee: GBP 558 from outside the UK.
  4. Pay the immigration health surcharge: GBP 776 a year for students.
  5. Show money for your course fees for one year and living costs of GBP 1,529 a month in London or GBP 1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to 9 months. If a scholarship or sponsor pays, show evidence from the sponsor.
  6. Take a tuberculosis (TB) test at a clinic approved by the UK Home Office: India is on the list of countries that need one.
  7. After approval, set up a UKVI account to use your eVisa.

Fees and rules change: check the official visa pages before you apply.

Visa sources

Sources

Everything on this page comes from these documents and pages. Checked 18 Oct 2026.

JanWatchdog is not connected with any scholarship. Apply only on the official website; applying is free and no agent is needed.

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