The United Kingdom Government has officially opened applications for the 2026 Chevening Scholarships, offering outstanding professionals from Nigeria and more than 140 other eligible countries the opportunity to pursue a fully funded one-year master’s degree at a UK university.
Applications opened on 4 August 2026 and will close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. (Chevening)
What is the Chevening Scholarship?
The Chevening Scholarship is the UK Government’s flagship international scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations.
Established in 1983, the programme supports emerging leaders with strong academic backgrounds, leadership potential, and a commitment to driving positive change in their communities. Over 60,000 professionals worldwide have benefited from the scholarship. (Chevening)
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants receive a comprehensive funding package that includes:
- Full tuition fees for an eligible one-year master’s programme.
- Monthly living allowance.
- Return economy airfare to and from the UK.
- Arrival and departure allowances.
- Travel grants for approved Chevening events.
- Leadership development opportunities.
- Access to the global Chevening alumni network.
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is intended for professionals who:
- Demonstrate strong leadership and influencing skills.
- Have the potential to contribute to national and global development.
- Possess excellent networking and relationship-building abilities.
- Are committed to creating positive change in their communities.
- Meet Chevening’s academic and eligibility requirements.
The UK Government also encourages applications from underrepresented groups as part of its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should complete their applications through the official Chevening online portal.
The application process includes:
- Visit the Chevening Scholarships application portal.
- Register an account using your email address and mobile number.
- Complete the eligibility checker.
- Save your unique application access code.
- Provide your personal details, educational background, and work experience.
- Select three eligible UK master’s degree programmes.
- Enter the details of two referees.
- Complete the required essays covering:
- Leadership.
- Networking.
- Course choices.
- Career goals.
- Submit your application before 6 October 2026. (Chevening)
Applicants are advised to draft their essays in a separate document before pasting them into the online application form and to save their progress regularly, as inactive sessions automatically time out. (Chevening)
Selection Timeline
According to Chevening:
- Applications open: 4 August 2026.
- Application deadline: 6 October 2026.
- Eligibility and application review: From October 2026.
- Interviews: March–April 2027.
- Successful candidates notified: Mid-June 2027.
- Studies commence in the UK: September/October 2027. (Chevening)
What the Selection Panel Looks For
Applicants are assessed on:
- Leadership potential.
- Academic achievement.
- Professional experience.
- Networking ability.
- Clear career vision.
- Commitment to creating lasting impact in their home country and globally.
The programme seeks future leaders who will use the knowledge, skills, and international networks gained in the UK to contribute meaningfully to national development and global progress.
Important: Chevening requires applicants to submit their own original essays. The use of AI-generated responses or plagiarized content is prohibited and may lead to disqualification. (Chevening)
