Questions I get asked
Do I need a university offer to apply for Chevening?
No. You name three eligible one-year taught master's courses on the application, and that is all. The unconditional offer is due on 8 July 2027, nine months after the application deadline.
When do Chevening 2027 applications close?
6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. The portal closes at that moment and there are no extensions. Referees have a short additional window afterwards.
Do I need an IELTS score to apply?
Not for the Chevening application itself. Universities set their own language requirements for admission, but that runs on a separate timeline.
How much work experience does Chevening require?
At least 2,800 hours, roughly two years full-time, completed after your undergraduate degree. It does not have to be continuous or full-time; part-time work, internships and some voluntary roles can count.
Can I stay in the UK after the scholarship?
Not immediately. Chevening scholars must return to their country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after the scholarship ends. This is written into the eligibility criteria, and it is what the programme exists to do.
Is a 2026 graduate eligible for this cycle?
No. Your undergraduate degree must have been completed at least two years before the deadline, which means before October 2024 for this cycle.
The full article covers the timeline in detail, including the case for and against applying this cycle.
Read the full Chevening 2027 guide →