ONYINYECHI NWAIGBA 
Applications for the 2026–2027 Chevening Scholarship are now open, offering eligible Nigerians and other aspiring leaders the opportunity to pursue a fully funded master’s degree in the United Kingdom.
The UK Government’s Chevening Scholarships are designed for professionals with leadership potential who want to advance their education, expand their professional networks and use their experience to contribute to positive change in their home countries.
Applications opened on August 4, 2026, and will close at 11:00 UTC on October 6, 2026.
What the Chevening Scholarship offers
Chevening is a fully funded scholarship programme that supports successful candidates to undertake eligible one-year master’s degrees at UK universities.
Beyond academic funding, the programme gives scholars the opportunity to develop professionally, build international networks and join a global community of leaders and decision-makers.
According to Chevening, the scholarship is intended for individuals with the passion and influence to address local, national or global challenges.
The programme is therefore not only focused on academic achievement but also on leadership, professional development and the potential to create impact after the scholarship.
Who can apply?
To be eligible for the Chevening Scholarship, applicants must meet several requirements.
Applicants must be citizens of a Chevening-eligible country or territory and must commit to returning to their country of award for at least two years after completing the scholarship.
They must also have completed an undergraduate degree that qualifies them for entry into a UK master’s programme.
One of the key requirements is work experience. Applicants must have accumulated at least 2,800 hours of work experience after completing their undergraduate degree, which is roughly equivalent to two years of full-time work. Eligible experience can include full-time employment, part-time employment, voluntary work and paid or unpaid internships.
Applicants whose undergraduate degree was completed after October 2024 are not eligible for the 2026–2027 cycle because they would not have sufficient time to meet the required work experience threshold.
What courses can applicants study?
Chevening applicants are required to select three eligible UK master’s degree courses as part of their application.
The courses must meet Chevening’s requirements, including being full-time, beginning during the autumn term and leading to a master’s degree. Distance-learning, part-time and research-based courses are not eligible.
Applicants do not need to have applied to their selected university courses before submitting the Chevening application. However, successful candidates must eventually secure an unconditional offer from at least one of their selected courses by the specified deadline.
Application process
Applicants are required to complete the Chevening application online.
The application process includes an eligibility check, personal and educational information, work history, three course choices, details of two referees and responses to four essay questions covering areas including leadership, relationship-building, course choices and future career goals.
Because the scholarship is highly competitive, prospective applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their applications early and carefully review the eligibility requirements before applying.
Important dates
August 4, 2026: Applications open
October 6, 2026: Applications close at 11:00 UTC
Mid-February 2027: Shortlisted candidates are expected to be invited for interviews
March–April 2027: Interviews take place
Mid-June 2027: Results are announced
September/Oober 2027: Successful scholars begin their studies in the UK.
Why the opportunity matters
For Nigerian professionals, opportunities such as Chevening provide more than access to international education.
They can help develop the skills, networks and leadership capacity needed to contribute to Nigeria’s development across sectors including business, technology, public policy, education, sustainability, healthcare and social impact.
Chevening’s global network also connects scholars and alumni with professionals working on major challenges across different countries and sectors.
With applications now open, eligible Nigerians interested in pursuing a master’s degree in the UK can begin preparing their applications ahead of the October 6 deadline.
How to apply
Interested applicants can review the full eligibility requirements, available courses and application guidance through the official Chevening website.
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