The Chevening Scholarships 2026/2027 call for applications is now open.
Chevening is the UK Government’s international scholarships programme aimed at developing global leaders since 1983. Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organisations, Chevening scholarships are awarded to outstanding professionals from South Africa and beyond to pursue a fully funded one-year master’s degree in any subject at any UK university.
For detailed information on the programme and eligibility criteria kindly visit https://www.chevening.org/scholarship/south-africa/
Degree level
Master’s
Deadlines
7 October 2025 at 12:00 UTC (midday UK time).
What is included in the scholarship?
Chevening offers fully funded scholarships for a master’s degree at a UK university. This includes:
- Payment of university tuition fees
- Economy travel to and from your country of residence
- An arrival allowance
- The cost of a visa application
- A departure allowance
- A contribution of up to £75 for TB testing, where required
- A travel top-up allowance
- A monthly personal living allowance (stipend) to cover accommodation and living expenses, depending on whether you study inside or outside London
For more details, please visit the UK university courses and the Deadline pages.
Who can apply?
- South African citizens;
- Commitment to return to South Africa for a minimum of two years after your award has ended;
- Have at least 2,800 hours work experience since graduating from your undergraduate degree. This is roughly equivalent to two years of full-time work, though it may have been completed over a shorter or longer period;
- Have an undergraduate degree that will enable you to gain entry onto a postgraduate programme at a UK university;
- Not have studied in the UK previously with a UK government-funded scholarship;
- Apply to three different eligible UK university courses and have received an unconditional offer from one of these choices by 9 July 2026.
Fields of Study
- Any one year master’s offered by UK universities;
- The courses you choose must be full-time, taught master’s (i.e. not research-focused MRes programmes);
- Be available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/ October 2026.
Application process
Applications for Chevening Scholarships can only be submitted using the Chevening online application system.
All Chevening applicants must submit their education documents, references, and one unconditional UK university offer.
The process of selecting Chevening Scholars takes a minimum of eight months from the application deadline to when scholars are conditionally selected for an award.
You will receive email updates about your application status at each step of the selection process. You can also check your status on the online application system. Log in using your registration details.
For information about the application and selection process, visit the application timeline and frequently asked questions.
Contact
Please visit the Chevening Scholarship website for enquiries.
Documents and links
Chevening Scholarships website
Chevening application timeline
Learn more about applying to UK universities
Guidance on the online application system
Note
Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
