Chevening Scholarships 2027/2028 for Nigerians: Eligibility, Benefits and How to Apply

Chevening Scholarships are among the best-known UK government scholarships for professionals who want to study a master’s degree in the United Kingdom. Nigerian citizens are eligible to apply through the Nigeria award route, but the programme is competitive and its requirements are easy to misunderstand.

For the 2027/2028 scholarship cycle, applications in Nigeria have closed. The official Chevening timeline shows that applications opened on 4 August 2026 and closed on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. The current cycle will continue through selection, interviews and university offer checks before scholars begin their studies in September or October 2027. If you missed this cycle, you can still use this guide to prepare for the next one.

Chevening Scholarships for Nigerians: Quick Facts

Item	Details
Scholarship	Chevening Scholarship
Study level	Usually a one-year taught master’s degree in the UK
Eligible applicants	Citizens of Chevening-eligible countries, including Nigeria
Work experience	At least two years, equivalent to 2,800 hours, after completing an undergraduate degree
UK courses	Three different eligible UK master’s courses must be selected
Funding	Tuition, travel, visa-related support, arrival and departure allowances, and a monthly living stipend for full awards
2027/2028 Nigeria deadline	6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Closed.
2027/2028 studies	September/October 2027

What is the Chevening Scholarship?

Chevening is the UK government’s international scholarship programme for future leaders. It gives successful scholars the opportunity to study a master’s degree in the UK while building a professional and international network.

Chevening Scholarships are not limited to one subject. Applicants choose eligible UK master’s courses that fit their professional experience, leadership goals and plans for contributing to their home country. Chevening is therefore particularly suited to professionals who can explain why a particular UK degree is the right next step in their career.

A Chevening Scholarship is normally for a one-year taught master’s degree. The exact financial package can vary, so applicants should always check the current award terms rather than relying on an old stipend figure or a social media post.

Are Nigerians eligible for Chevening?

Yes. Nigeria has its own Chevening award page and is an eligible country for the scholarship. Nigerian applicants must apply through the Chevening process for their country of citizenship.

Citizenship alone does not make an applicant eligible. You must also meet the work experience, academic, course selection and return-home requirements, along with the other rules in the current application guidance.

Chevening Scholarship eligibility requirements

The core eligibility rules currently published by Chevening include the following:

• You must be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory.
• You must commit to returning to your country of award for at least two years after your scholarship ends.
• You must have at least two years of work experience after completing your undergraduate degree, equivalent to 2,800 hours.
• You must hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies you for a UK master’s programme.
• Your undergraduate studies must have been completed at least two years before the application deadline.
• You must apply to three different eligible UK master’s courses.
• You must receive an unconditional offer from at least one of your selected courses by the relevant Chevening deadline.

Chevening does not impose an upper age limit under its current scholarship eligibility rules. Applicants who already hold a master’s degree can also apply for another master’s degree, provided they meet the other requirements.

How much work experience do you need?

You need at least 2,800 hours of qualifying work experience acquired after completing your undergraduate degree.

Chevening accepts several types of experience, including full-time employment, part-time employment, voluntary work and paid or unpaid internships. The application system calculates work experience using the weeks and hours you enter.

This requirement is one of the most common reasons applications become ineligible. Do not estimate your experience casually. Enter each period accurately and avoid counting the same work twice.

Your work experience does not have to be an exact match for your intended master’s course. If you are changing direction, however, you need to explain the transferable skills you have gained and why the new course makes sense for your career.

What does Chevening cover?

A full Chevening Scholarship normally provides substantial financial support for the scholar. The current official benefits include:

• Payment of tuition fees, subject to the applicable scholarship terms.
• Economy travel to and from your country of residence by an approved route.
• An arrival allowance.
• Payment of the UK entry clearance visa application fee for the scholar.
• A departure allowance.
• A contribution of up to £75 for tuberculosis testing where required.
• A travel top-up allowance for eligible scholars attending required Chevening events.
• A monthly personal living allowance, with the rate depending on whether you study in or outside London.

Chevening’s financial guidance says the stipend is intended to cover basic living costs such as accommodation, meals, personal expenses, phone bills, daily travel and required course resources. Stipend rates are reviewed, so an old amount quoted online should not be treated as the current rate.

The scholarship is for the scholar. Costs for dependants and other personal expenses are not automatically covered. Some awards may also have special funding arrangements, so your final award letter is the final authority on the value of your individual scholarship.

What courses can you study with Chevening?

Chevening is for eligible UK master’s degrees. You must select three different eligible courses in your application.

Your three choices should make sense together. Chevening expects applicants to show a clear connection between their course choices, previous experience, future career plans and the challenges they want to help address in their home country.

You can choose courses in fields such as public policy, development, education, business, technology, international relations, environmental studies, health, engineering, economics and many other areas, provided the individual course meets Chevening’s eligibility rules.

Do not assume that every master’s degree at a university qualifies. Use the official Chevening course finder when preparing your choices.

Do you need IELTS for Chevening?

Chevening itself does not currently set a separate English language test requirement as part of its scholarship eligibility criteria. However, your chosen UK universities may require proof of English proficiency before offering admission.

This distinction matters. Meeting Chevening’s scholarship requirements does not automatically mean you meet the admission requirements of your preferred university. Check each course carefully for its English language policy.

When is the Chevening 2027/2028 deadline?

The 2027/2028 Chevening application window for Nigeria has closed. The official timeline states that applications opened on 4 August 2026 and closed on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.

The process does not end when the application portal closes. Chevening’s published timeline shows eligibility screening from October 2026, reading committee assessments from mid-October 2026 to January 2027, interview shortlisting around mid-February 2027, interviews from March to April 2027 and results from mid-June 2027 onwards.

Successful applicants must receive and submit at least one unconditional UK university offer by 17:00 BST on 8 July 2027. Studies are scheduled to begin in September or October 2027.

If you missed the 2027/2028 deadline, do not create a fake future deadline from an older cycle. Chevening publishes a new timeline for each application round. Use the current official Nigeria page when the next cycle opens.

How to apply for Chevening from Nigeria

1. Check your eligibility

Before writing your application, confirm that you meet the citizenship, work experience, undergraduate degree, course selection and return-home requirements. It is better to discover an eligibility problem before spending weeks on essays.

2. Research three UK master’s courses

Choose three different eligible courses. Look beyond university reputation. Compare course modules, assessment methods, career relevance and how each course supports the problem you want to address after returning home.

3. Build your career story

Chevening wants evidence of leadership and influence. Think about projects you have led, problems you have solved, people you have supported, changes you have helped introduce and situations where you influenced others.

4. Prepare the application essays

The Chevening application includes four essay areas covering leadership and influence, networking and relationship building, your course choices and your future career goals. Your answers should use real examples rather than general claims about being a leader.

5. Submit your application online

Chevening applications are submitted through the official online system during the application window. You enter your personal information, education history, work history, three course choices, referee details and essay responses before submitting.

6. Apply to your universities

Chevening does not require you to have already applied to your three university choices before submitting the scholarship form. However, you should start the university admission process early. You eventually need an unconditional offer from at least one selected course.

7. Prepare for the interview if shortlisted

Shortlisted applicants are invited to interviews at British embassies or high commissions. Be ready to discuss your leadership examples, career goals, course choices, networking experience and plans for contributing after returning home.

Documents needed for Chevening

At the application stage, you provide information through the online form. If shortlisted, Chevening requires supporting documentation before the interview. The current timeline identifies documents such as photo identification, undergraduate education evidence and reference letters.

It is sensible to prepare the following early:

• Valid passport or acceptable photo identification.
• Undergraduate degree certificate or official education evidence.
• Academic records and course information.
• A detailed record of your work experience.
• Two suitable referees.
• Information about your three selected UK master’s courses.
• Evidence or details that can support your leadership and professional examples.

Your universities may request additional documents for admission, including transcripts, personal statements, references, English language evidence or other course-specific materials.

How Chevening selects applicants

Chevening does not select scholars simply because they have the highest academic grades. Applications are screened for eligibility and then assessed by independent reading committees against Chevening, UK foreign policy and regional objectives and the potential of candidates to meet those objectives.

That means a strong application needs more than a good degree. Your evidence of leadership, influence, relationship building, career direction and future impact needs to be convincing.

Chevening also uses plagiarism screening. Applicants should write their own essays and answer the questions from their own experience.

Common mistakes Nigerian applicants should avoid

Applying without enough work experience

Do not assume that you will become eligible by the time your master’s programme starts. The required work experience must be completed before you submit the scholarship application.

Choosing three unrelated courses

Three random courses can make your career story difficult to understand. Choose programmes that support a coherent professional direction.

Writing generic leadership essays

Statements such as “I am a great leader” are weak without evidence. Explain what happened, what you did, who was affected and what changed because of your actions.

Waiting for the scholarship result before applying to universities

University admission takes time. Start researching and applying as early as possible instead of waiting until after the scholarship shortlist.

Using an old deadline

Chevening dates change from cycle to cycle. Check the Nigeria page and current application timeline rather than copying a date from a blog or social media post.

Paying an agent to secure a scholarship

Chevening applications are made through its official online process. Be careful with anyone who claims they can guarantee selection, sell an application slot or provide a secret scholarship link.

How to make a stronger Chevening application

Start with your long-term career goal. Then work backwards. What development, policy, business, education, health, technology or social problem do you want to help solve? What have you already done about it? What skill or knowledge is missing? Which UK master’s course will help you fill that gap?

Your examples should show action and results. If you led a project, explain the problem, your responsibility, the people involved and the outcome. If you influenced a decision, explain what you changed and why your approach worked.

For the networking section, do not simply list famous people you know. Show how you build useful professional relationships, what you contribute to them and how those relationships have helped you achieve meaningful results.

For practical preparation, our guides on how to apply for a scholarship, scholarship application documents and how to write a scholarship personal statement can help you organise your preparation.

Official Chevening application and information

The official Chevening Nigeria page is the best place to check the current application status and future opening dates:

Chevening Scholarship for Nigeria

You should also check the official Chevening application timeline, eligibility criteria and application guidance before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Can Nigerians apply for Chevening?

Yes. Nigeria is a Chevening-eligible country and has a dedicated country award route.

Is Chevening fully funded?

A full Chevening Scholarship normally includes tuition fees, approved economy travel, visa-related support, arrival and departure allowances, a travel top-up allowance and a monthly living stipend. Exact award components can vary, so the final award letter is the definitive source for an individual scholar.

How many years of work experience do I need?

You need at least two years of work experience after completing your undergraduate degree, equivalent to 2,800 hours. Eligible experience can include full-time and part-time employment, voluntary work and paid or unpaid internships.

Is there an age limit for Chevening?

There is currently no upper age limit for Chevening Scholarship applicants.

Can I apply if I already have a master’s degree?

Yes. Having a master’s degree does not automatically prevent you from applying for another master’s degree in the UK, provided you meet the other Chevening requirements.

Do I need admission before applying for Chevening?

No. You do not have to have applied to your three UK course choices before submitting the Chevening application. However, you must eventually receive an unconditional offer from at least one selected course by the relevant deadline.

Can I apply to three courses at the same university?

You must choose three different eligible UK master’s courses. Chevening advises applicants to research their choices carefully and make sure they support a coherent career direction.

When should I start preparing for the next Chevening cycle?

Start months before applications open. Build your work experience record, identify suitable UK courses, prepare your leadership and networking examples, and establish relationships with potential referees. This is much easier than trying to reconstruct everything when the portal opens.

Related scholarships

If you are comparing UK and international scholarships, also see our guides to Commonwealth Scholarships, Erasmus Mundus Scholarships, DAAD EPOS Scholarships and the Scholarships & Funding hub.

Last checked: 7 October 2026. The 2027/2028 Nigeria application window is closed. Future Chevening dates, award amounts and requirements should be confirmed from the official Chevening website when the next cycle opens.