Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for a Chevening Award you must:

Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country
Return to your country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after your award has ended
Have an undergraduate degree that will enable you to gain entry to a postgraduate programme at
a UK university. This is typically equivalent to an upper second-class 2:1 honours degree in the
UK.
Have at least two years work experience (this may be up to five years for fellowship
programmes, please refer to your country page for further details)
Apply to three different eligible UK university courses and have received an unconditional offer
from one of these choices by 13 July 2017
Meet the Chevening English language requirement by 13 July 2017

You are not eligible for a Chevening Award if you:

Hold British or dual British citizenship (unless you are a citizen of a British Overseas Territory
or hold BN(O) and are applying from Hong Kong)
Are an employee, a former employee, or relative of an employee (since July 2014) of Her
Majestys Government (including British Embassies/High Commissions, the Department for
International Development, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy,
Department for International Trade, the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office), the British
Council, or a staff member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. Employees,
former employees, or relatives of an employee (since July 2014) of Chevening Partner
organisations are eligible to apply, but cannot receive a Chevening/Partner Award from the
organisation for which they work, previously worked, or are affiliated with through relatives.
(Note: Immediate relatives are defined as parents or step-parents, siblings or step-siblings,
children or step-children, spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner (where the couple have
been in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years)
Have previously studied in the UK with funding from a UK Government-funded scholarship.
However, if you have previously studied under a UK Government-funded scholarship
(including Chevening), you may be eligible to apply for a Chevening Fellowship five years after
completion of your initial UK Government-funded scholarship.
Once submitted, your application will be reviewed against the Chevening eligibility criteria. If you
failed to meet the work experience requirement, or have entered something in your declaration that
makes you ineligible, you will be given one opportunity to review and amend your entries for these two
sections.
You will receive instructions on how to review these sections via email and you will have until 48
hours prior to the application deadline to amend your answers. For scholarships, this is 1200 GMT on 6
November 2016. Failure to amend your answers will mean your application will not be considered for
an award.

English language requirement

In order to receive a Chevening Award, all applicants must demonstrate that they have fulfilled the
Chevening English language requirement by 13 July 2017. We advise all applicants to ensure they have
fulfilled the English language requirement as early as possible by either:
Taking an English language test
Claiming an exemption based on the UKVI exempt categories

If you fail to demonstrate that you have met the required English language level by 13 July 2017 or fail
to prove that you qualify for an exemption, your application will not be successful.

English language tests

You are free to take tests more than once in order to meet the Chevening English language requirement.
Please note that Chevening does not pay for costs associated with English language testing. You are
responsible for booking and paying for costs associated with these tests.
Chevening accepts English language tests from five providers:
Academic IELTS
Pearson PTE Academic
TOEFL iBT
Cambridge English: Advanced (CEA)
Trinity ISE II (B2)

The English language test must be taken from one of these providers on or after 1 October 2015. If you
do not already have an existing eligible test certificate, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have
booked a test date so that you can obtain the required results.
Applicants are not permitted to take pre-sessional courses to fulfil the Chevening English language
requirement. You will be required to take one of the approved English language tests unless you fall
into one of the exempt categories.
Applicants are not permitted to enrol on pre-sessional courses to fulfil their universitys English
language requirement or any other conditions of a university offer. Any offer from a university with a
requirement to undertake a pre-sessional course will be considered conditional.
Chevening English language requirement: breakdown of scores
Academic IELTS Find a test centre
Overall score of 6.5 with a minimum score in each component
of:
Listening 5.5
Reading 5.5
Speaking 5.5
Writing 5.5

Pearson PTE Academic Find a test centre

Overall score of 61 with a minimum score in each component
of:
Listening 46
Reading 46
Speaking 46
Writing 46

TOEFL iBT Find a test centre

Overall score of 79 with a minumum score in each component
of:
Listening 17
Reading 18
Speaking 20
Writing 17

Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) Find a test centre

Overall score of 176 with a minimum score in each component
of:
Listening 162
Reading 162
Speaking 162
Writing 162

Trinity ISE II (B2) Find a test centre

Overall pass and minimum pass in each skill across both
modules:
Trinity ISE II (B2) Find a test centre
Listening Pass
Reading Pass
Speaking Pass
Writing Pass

In some countries, the availability of test centres is limited so we recommend you organise a test at the
earliest opportunity. If there are no English language test centres in your country, you may be required
to travel to a neighbouring country to take a test. Please see your country page for further guidance.
Please note that the turnaround time for English language tests varies:
IELTS results will be available in 13 days
PTE Academic results will be available in five business days
TOEFL results will be available approximately ten days
CAE results will be available in two weeks
Trinity results will be available in 14 days

Remember to prepare for your English language test in advance. Tips on how to prepare for the tests
and practice test papers are available on each of the test providers websites.

English language exemptions

Applicants who are nationals of one of the following countries are exempt from submitting an English
language test for a Chevening Award, in line with Home Office policy:
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada,
Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad
and Tobago, the United States of America, and British Overseas Territories.
Applicants who have been awarded a bachelors degree or higher that was taught in full in a university
located and accredited in one of the following countries are also exempt from submitting an English
language test for a Chevening Scholarship*:
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana,
Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines,
Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, the UK, and the United States of America.
*The exemption from the Chevening English language requirement will not be granted for distance
learning courses or studying at the overseas campus of a university based in an exempt country.
However, evidence of studying abroad in one of the exempt countries for at least one academic year as
part of an accredited degree course will be granted the English language exemption.
If you are claiming an exemption, you must provide evidence of your eligibility by 27 February 2017
(12:00 GMT).

English language requirements for UK universities

As well as meeting the Chevening English language requirement, you may also have to meet certain
English language criteria to be eligible for your university course. Universities may only accept a
certain type of test or ask for higher minimum test scores. Be sure to check with your university what
test they require you to take.

Courses
Choose your three courses carefully as you won't be able to change them after submitting your
application. To be awarded a scholarship, you must get an unconditional offer for one of your course
choices by 13 July 2017.
Applicants will need to select three different master's courses, these can be three different courses at the
same institution or the same titled course but at three different universities. You should choose your
field of study carefully and select courses which reflect your current or future career goals.
In order to be eligible, the courses you choose must be:
Full-time
Start in the autumn term (usually September/October)
Lead to a masters degree qualification

Course cannot be:

Distance learning
Part-time
Less than nine months in duration
More than 12 months in duration
PhD or DPhil are not permitted

Use our course finder to browse masters degrees at every university across the UK.

PLEASE NOTE: There is a fee cap applied to MBA programmes that requires applicants to cover any
additional cost over 18,000.

In addition, applicants who wish to undertake a course offered at a London-based campus of a UK

university that is based elsewhere in the country will only be permitted to do so if that exact course is
unavailable at the universitys main campus. If the same course is offered at both the main campus and
the London campus of a university, applicants will be expected to attend the main university campus.
Pre-sessional courses
Applicants are not permitted to enrol on pre-sessional courses to fulfil their universitys English
language requirement or any other conditions of a university offer.
If you enrol on a pre-sessional course to remove a condition of your university offer, the Secretariat
will learn of this via the university and your award will no longer be tenable for that course. Please note
that this can happen at any stage of the process, meaning that there could be no time for you to switch
to another of your course choices, even where you hold an unconditional offer. This would then result
in your Chevening Award offer being withdrawn.
Some courses, typically in the fields of law, maths and science, may include mandatory introductory
elements that can be referred to by the university as pre-sessional courses. If this applies to one of
your chosen courses, please notify your Chevening programme officer as soon as possible and they will
advise you as to whether the course is permitted.
You should not enrol on optional pre-sessional courses prior to your official course start date, even if
you are willing to pay for these courses yourself. A vital part of the Chevening journey is the pre-
departure briefing given at the British embassy or high commission in your home country, which you
would miss if you were already in the UK.
Please note that the Secretariats administrative processes cannot be sped up to enable you to come to
the UK early (for example, the production of the final award letter cannot be expedited), and the
Secretariat will not provide immigration advice for any period outside the official dates of your
Chevening Award.

Unconditional offers
The Secretariat will need to see evidence of an unconditional offer from one of your three course
choices in order to finalise your Chevening Award.
We can accept a conditional offer if the only outstanding condition is financial, i.e. the need to pay a
deposit for the course. There can be no further caveats on the offer, including the need to send original
documents, such as transcripts, to the university. You should ensure that you have met all of the
universitys requirements well in advance of Chevenings deadline so that you are in a position to send
us evidence of your unconditional offer by this date.
You are not permitted to meet a universitys English language requirement by enrolling on, signing up
for, or paying a fee for a pre-sessional English course. If you enrol on a pre-sessional course to remove
a condition of your university offer, the Secretariat will learn of this via the university and your award
will no longer be tenable for that course.
Please note that this can happen at any stage of the process, meaning that there could be no time for
you to switch to another of your course choices, even where you hold an unconditional offer. This
would then result in your Chevening Award offer being withdrawn.
References
References are an integral part of the selection process. References are required for both the fellowship
and scholarship programmes. The reference letters must be written by your chosen referees and sent to
you to upload to your online application.
We will not accept references that are sent directly to the Secretariat or to your local British
Embassy/High Commission.
Who can be a referee?
Please select your referees carefully; they should be people who can comment on your general
suitability to receive a Chevening Award. Referees should be known to you, either in an academic or
professional capacity. They should not be a relative or close personal friend.
References must be:
Written in English. Your application will not be considered for an award if your references are
not written in English.
Provided in a letter format, preferably typed, and addressed to the British Embassy or High
Commission (the mailing address of the diplomatic mission is not required)
Uploaded to your application form in PDF format. The file must be no larger than 5MB.

When approaching your referees please direct them to the guidance section below on what they should
include in their reference.
What should referees include in their reference?
References are an important part of the Chevening application process and they are considered
alongside the application form throughout the selection process. They will be reviewed by the British
Embassy/High Commission so it is important that you provide as much relevant detail as possible to
support the applicant.
If you have been asked to provide a reference to support a Chevening application please read below for
further details on what to include:
Your reference should be provided in a letter format and it must be in English. References that are not
written in English will mean that the applicant will not be considered for a Chevening Award.
Your reference should cover the following:
1) How long have you known the applicant?
2) In what capacity do you know the applicant? (e.g. professional, educational,
supervisory, voluntary, religious)
3) When you last had regular contact with the applicant?
4) A brief overall endorsement of the applicant, including their:
Skills in leadership and networking
 Personal, intellectual, and interpersonal qualities
Ability to complete a demanding academic programme in the UK

When to upload your references

If you are invited to interview, you will be required to upload two valid references to the online
application centre by Monday 27 February (12:00 GMT). We recommend that you obtain your two
references in good time to ensure they are ready and available to upload should you be invited to attend
an interview.

Work experience
Applicants must ensure they meet the minimum work experience requirement for the award that they
are applying to before submitting their Chevening application:
Chevening Scholarships two years work experience
Chevening Fellowships either five or seven years work experience depending on the
fellowship. Please check your country page for eligibility details relating to the specific
fellowship you are applying to.
If you do not already have the required level of work experience, you will be unable to submit your
application.

Eligible types of work experience

Applicants must meet the minimum work experience requirement before they submit their application
for a Chevening Award. The types of work experience that are eligible for Chevening can include:
Full-time employment
Part-time employment
Voluntary work
Paid or unpaid internships
Work experience can be completed before, during, or after graduating from your undergraduate
studies.
Employment undertaken as part of your undergraduate or postgraduate course are not eligible.
You do not need to meet the work experience requirement in one period of employment nor do you
have been working in your current role for the minimum requirement in order to be eligible to apply.
Applicants can submit up to ten different employment periods in order to meet the requirement. If you
have held more than ten positions then please enter the periods which make up the greatest number of
hours worked.
If you are in current employment, it is not a requirement of Chevening that you resign from your
position. You are advised to discuss your application with your employer and it is your responsibility to
ensure that they will release you if you are selected for a Chevening Award. The British Embassy/High
Commission or the Chevening Secretariat cannot intervene in this.

How to calculate your work experience

The minimum requirement for work experience is calculated by multiplying the number of hours
worked by the average number of weeks worked per year. For Chevening Awards it is assumed that
applicants in full-time employment work on average 40 weeks per year and 35 hours per week.
The minimum number of hours an applicant must have before applying does vary depending on the
Chevening Award to which you are applying:
Chevening Scholarships - two years work experience = 2,800 hours
Chevening Fellowships - five years work experience = 7,200 hours
Chevening Fellowships - seven years work experience = 9,800 hours

If you have worked part-time, the minimum requirement will have been accumulated over a longer
period.

Work experience scenarios

To help you calculate your work experience we have provided below some examples of how to
calculate your employment hours.

Scenario 1
Full time employment working 35 hours per week and 40 weeks per year for 2 calendar
Scenario
years
Calculation 35 hours x 40 weeks x 2 years = 2,800
Outcome An applicant in this scenario would be eligible for a scholarship

Scenario 2
Scenario Full time employment working 42 hours per week for 45 weeks per year for 18 months
Calculation 42 hours x 45 weeks x 1.5 years = 2,835
Outcome An applicant in this scenario would be eligible for a scholarship

Scenario 3
Part time employment working 18 hours per week for 48 weeks per year for 9 calendar
Scenario
years
Calculation 18 hours x 48 weeks x 9 years = 7,776
Outcome An applicant in this scenario would be eligible for a scholarship and fellowship
 Scenario 4
Scenario Part time internship working 10 hours per week for 35 weeks per year for 3 calendar years
Calculation 10 hours x 50 weeks x 3 years = 1,500
An applicant in this scenario fails to meet the eligibility criteria for either a
Outcome
scholarship or fellowship

Scenario 5
Part time voluntary employment working 10 hours per week for 35 weeks per year for 3
Scenario
calendar years
Calculation 10 hours x 35 weeks x 3 years = 1,050
An applicant in this scenario fails to meet the eligibility criteria for either a
Outcome
scholarship or fellowship

If you hold more than one position of employment at the same time then all can be used to meet the
work experience requirement. Please see an example below of how this would be calculated:

Scenario 6
Currently employed working part time 10 hours per week for 35 weeks per year for 4
Scenario
calendar years AND
Currently employed working part time in a voluntary position 12 hours per week for 35
Scenario
weeks per year for 2 calendar years
Calculations (10 hours x 50 weeks x 4 years = 2,000) + (12 hours x 35 weeks x 2 years = 840) = 2,840
Outcome An applicant in this scenario would be eligible for a scholarship
Read our blog post for more information about work experience.

Online application system

Below are some tips and advice for applicants when using the online application system.
1. Remember your username and password
This saves time when you want to log back in to the Application Centre.

2. Save as you go!

There is no automatic save function on the system and each session will close after 60 minutes even if
you are still actively editing the form. Any unsaved entries will be lost so applicants are encouraged to
save regularly to avoid disappointment!

3. You do not have to complete the form in one session

Remember to always save your work. Use the 'Logout' button (top right corner of the page) and keep a
note of your username and password so that you can come back and finish off your application later.
When you are satisfied with your application, click the 'Submit' button to send us your form. Please
note that once you have done this, you may not modify your application except for the contact details
section.

4. You can preview all sections of the application form at the start of your session and before you
start to complete it so to familiarise yourself with what is required.

5.Check the size and format of the files you intend to upload and ensure they meet the requirement.
The online system will only accept PDF documents no larger than 5 MB.

6. Application questions have word counts

In the application form there is a set of questions an applicant is required to answer. There is a
minimum word count of 50 words per answer so please ensure you meet this minimum requirement.
Answers that are less than 50 words will not be considered.

7. Enter information as accurately as possible, especially your contact details

Please ensure that you enter a valid email address. If it changes after you have submitted, please ensure
you update it in your application otherwise you may miss receipt of important updates from the
Chevening Secretariat. If you are providing a second email address, please check that it is valid and
different from your first.

8. When completing your application form you should work in a full size window, as this will
make the application form easier to read in its original format.

9. Consider preparing your answers offline

The application form may take some time to complete so you may wish to prepare your answers to the
application questions offline and then paste your answers into the online form where appropriate. This
is particularly relevant if you're using a public computer, like in an internet cafe.

10. Do not plagiarise

If content from other sources is used to answer the application questions, they will be marked down by
the reading committee, the independent body that undertakes a first review of all eligible applications
received. This will affect your overall score and may result in your application being withdrawn.

11. Please apply in English

Applicants must complete the application form in English. If the application form is not completed in
English it is deemed ineligible.

12. Don't use your browser's 'back' and 'forward' buttons

This will take you out of the system and you will lose all unsaved work. By using the provided menu
links you can navigate to each page of the application form.

13. Don't submit your application unless you are completely satisfied with it and you have
answered all the relevant questions as fully as you can.

Interviews
If you are shortlisted to interview for a Chevening Award, you will be invited to attend an interview in
the city where the British Embassy or High Commission has a representation.
The global interview period for 2017/2018 Chevening Scholarships will run from 6 March to 5 May
2017. Interviews for fellowships may take place at a different time. Please refer to your country page
for further details.

Booking your interview

You will receive an email with instructions on how to book your interview. Interview slots are available
on a first-come-first-served basis, so we suggest that you book your slot as soon as possible. Once you
have scheduled your interview, you will receive a booking confirmation email and your slot cannot be
changed.
Applicants are required to attend face-to-face interviews in the country to which they have applied and
must be prepared to travel to the interview in the first instance.
Only in exceptional circumstances are Skype interviews permitted. This is usually where security
restrictions prevent applicants from travelling to the country to which they applied, or where there is no
UK Embassy or High Commission in the country. Such instances are considered on a case-by-case
basis and a decision is made following consultation with the UK Embassy or High Commission. You
will be informed in your invitation email if your interview can be conducted via Skype.
Prior to attending your interview
Prior to attending your interview, you will be asked to upload the following documents to the online
application system:
Two valid references. This is an important stage in the selection process and you must submit
these documents before your interview. Awards cannot be confirmed without two valid
references. For further information about references, please see the references page.
Biography. Scholars and fellows are required to upload a short biography that tells us more
about you.
Copy of your passport photopage (for fellowships only)

Preparing for your interview

You will need the following documents to take to your interview:
Passport/national ID
You are not required to bring any other documentation with you. Additional instructions may be
provided in the booking confirmation email.

The Chevening interview

The interview will be a competency-based panel assessment conducted in English.
The interview panel will include representatives from the British Embassy or High Commission and
who will use the global Chevening criteria to assess your answers.
You will be asked a series of questions discussing some of the information you provided in the
application form. The panel will ask questions that will enable you to explain your personal and
professional aspirations, and how Chevening can facilitate your achievement of these goals. Your
course choices will also be discussed and you will be asked to provide an update on your applications.

What should I expect after my interview?

All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their interview after the global interview period.
Please do not contact your local British Embassy or High Commission as updates on the status of your
application cannot be provided before 5 May.
Applicants should not wait for the outcome of their interview to apply for their three university courses
and should apply for their courses as early as possible. Any unconditional offers received should be
uploaded to the online application system as soon as possible.