Nigerians can apply for the Chevening Scholarship 2026 from 4 August to 6 October 2026. The UK Government scholarship supports one-year taught master’s degrees at eligible UK universities and provides funding for tuition, travel and living costs.
Chevening Scholarship 2026 Deadline
The Chevening Scholarship 2026 deadline is 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.
The application window opened on 4 August 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Chevening will close the online application system after the deadline.
Chevening Scholarship 2026 Requirements For Nigerians
Nigerian applicants must meet Chevening’s eligibility rules before they apply.
The requirements include:
- Nigerian citizenship and eligibility for the Chevening programme.
- A commitment to return to Nigeria for at least two years after the scholarship ends.
- At least 2,800 hours of work experience gained after completing an undergraduate degree.
- An undergraduate degree that qualifies the applicant for a UK master’s programme.
- Completion of undergraduate studies at least two years before the application deadline.
- Applications for three different eligible UK master’s courses.
- An unconditional offer from at least one of the three selected courses by the deadline set by Chevening.
Chevening counts full-time employment, part-time employment, voluntary work and paid or unpaid internships towards the work experience requirement. Applicants can combine different periods of eligible work to reach 2,800 hours.
Chevening Scholarship Work Experience Requirement
Applicants need 2,800 hours of work experience gained after completing their undergraduate degree.
Chevening treats 2,800 hours as roughly two years of full-time work based on a 35-hour working week. Applicants can reach the total through different types and periods of eligible work experience.
Anyone who completed an undergraduate degree after October 2024 does not meet the work experience requirement for the 2026 application cycle.
Does Chevening Require IELTS?
Chevening does not set an English language test requirement.
However, each UK university sets its own admission requirements. Nigerian applicants must therefore check the English language conditions for their chosen courses.
How Many Courses Can Applicants Choose?
Chevening applicants must select three different eligible UK university courses.
The courses must be full-time, UK-based, taught master’s programmes that start in the autumn term and last between nine and 12 months. Chevening does not fund part-time, distance-learning, PhD or research-focused courses.
Applicants do not need to apply to their three chosen university courses before submitting the Chevening application. However, they must secure an unconditional offer from at least one selected course by the relevant Chevening deadline.
What Does The Chevening Scholarship Cover?
Chevening provides:
- University tuition fees.
- Economy travel to and from the applicant’s country of residence.
- An arrival allowance.
- A visa application fee.
- A departure allowance.
- A travel top-up allowance.
- A monthly living allowance.
- Up to £75 towards tuberculosis testing where required.
The programme also gives scholars access to Chevening engagement activities and networking opportunities involving scholars, alumni, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organisations.
How Nigerians Can Apply For Chevening Scholarship 2026
Nigerians can apply through the official Chevening online application system during the application window.
First, applicants register with their email address and phone number. They then complete the eligibility checker before filling in their personal details, education history, work history, course choices, referee details and four essay questions.
Chevening asks applicants to answer essay questions covering leadership and influencing, relationship-building, course choices and future career plans. Applicants must write their answers in English and follow the stated word limits.
Chevening Scholarship 2026 Application Link
Applicants can access the official application system through the Chevening website. See Chevening Scholarship application page
Chevening says applications must go through its online system.
Chevening Scholarship 2026 Documents
Applicants need the names, job details and contact details of two referees when completing the application.
Candidates who reach the interview stage must upload two reference letters written in English and their undergraduate degree certificate. Chevening does not accept undergraduate transcripts instead of the required degree certificate.
Can Nigerians With A Master’s Degree Apply?
Yes. A Nigerian who already has a master’s degree can apply for another master’s degree through Chevening if they meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Chevening specifically states that an existing master’s degree does not prevent an applicant from applying for a second master’s degree in the UK.
Can Nigerians Apply Without A Passport?
Chevening’s online application process asks applicants for immigration and passport details, including their passport number. Applicants should follow the current requirements shown in the application system when completing the form.
What Happens After The Chevening Application?
Chevening will sift applications against its eligibility criteria after applications close in October 2026.
The programme will assess eligible applications during the following stages, with interviews scheduled from mid-October 2026 to January 2027 according to the published timeline. Applicants selected for interviews will receive an invitation to schedule an interview at a local British embassy or high commission.
Successful candidates must then secure at least one unconditional offer from a UK university by the relevant deadline before they can proceed with their Chevening award.
Chevening Scholarship 2026 Timeline
| Chevening stage | Date |
| Applications open | 4 August 2026 |
| Applications close | 6 October 2026 |
| Application sift begins | From October 2026 |
| Interviews | Mid-October 2026 to January 2027 |
| Studies begin | September/October 2027 |
Chevening lists the application opening and closing time as 11:00 UTC.
