Conditions
- Citizen of an eligible country (most of the Arab world) and committed to returning for two years.
- A bachelor's degree that qualifies for a UK master's.
- At least two years (2,800 hours) of work experience, including volunteering and paid internships.
- Apply to three different UK master's courses; an unconditional offer is needed later, not at application.
- Not eligible if you hold British citizenship or had UK government funding before.
Usual timeline
- August–November: online application (four 500-word essays).
- February–April: interviews at the British embassy.
- June: results, then secure an unconditional offer and English test before July.
- September–October: travel and start.
Dates are approximate and change yearly — check the official site and the opportunity page here.
Motivation letter
The four essays are the whole scholarship: leadership and influence, networking, study plan in the UK, career plan.
Open each with a real situation (what you did, the result in numbers), then link it to what you will do after returning.
Make the return plan concrete: a named institution or project at home, not “serving the community” in general.
Common mistakes
- Choosing universities for the name rather than the course that fits your plan.
- Generic essays with no numbers or outcomes.
- Talking about migration or staying in the UK.
- Reusing the same story in all four essays.
- Leaving the English test until it is too late.
Tips from winners
- Find Chevening alumni from your country on LinkedIn and ask them to read your essays.
- Prepare “Why the UK?” with specific institutions and experts.
- Keep an organised record of work hours and experience letters.
