Quick Summary
The Chevening Scholarship is the UK Government's flagship international awards programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It offers fully funded one-year Masters degrees at any UK university. Nigerian applicants have won Chevening every year β and this guide will show you exactly how.
What Is the Chevening Scholarship?
The Chevening Scholarship is one of the most prestigious international scholarships in the world, funded and managed by the UK Government. Each year, it awards thousands of fully funded scholarships to emerging leaders and influencers from around the world β including Nigeria.
As a Chevening Scholar, you will receive full funding to pursue any one-year Masters degree programme at any eligible UK university of your choice. This includes tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, return flights, and access to a powerful global alumni network.
Nigeria is one of the highest-represented African nations in the Chevening program. Nigerian professionals have won this scholarship in every field from public health to journalism, engineering, and public policy.
What Does Chevening Cover?
Chevening is truly fully funded β there are no hidden costs. The scholarship covers the following:
- Full tuition fees at any eligible UK university (no cap on course cost)
- Monthly living allowance to cover accommodation and day-to-day expenses in the UK
- Economy class return flights from Nigeria to the UK
- Arrival and departure allowances
- Travel grants to attend Chevening events across the UK
- Access to exclusive Chevening events and the global alumni network of over 50,000 professionals
Eligibility Requirements for Nigerian Applicants
Before you invest time in the application, confirm you meet all the following eligibility criteria:
- You are a Nigerian citizen (Nigeria is an eligible Chevening country)
- You have completed an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK upper second-class honours (2:1) or above
- You have at least two years of work experience (this is strictly enforced β calculated as 2,800 hours)
- You will return to Nigeria for at least two years after completing your scholarship
- You have not previously received a Chevening Scholarship
- You meet the English language requirements of your chosen UK university
The two-year work experience requirement is 2,800 hours minimum. This includes paid and voluntary work. Part-time work, internships, and self-employment count β but make sure you can document them clearly in your application.
Application Deadline 2026
The Chevening 2025/2026 application window typically opens in August and closes in early November (usually the first Tuesday of November). For the 2026/2027 cycle:
- Application opens: August 2026
- Application closes: November 2026 (check the official Chevening website for the exact date)
- University choices deadline: July 2026 (after interview selection)
- Start of scholarship: September/October 2026
Always verify the exact deadline at chevening.org β we update this page each cycle but the official site is the authority.
How to Apply β Step by Step
The Chevening application process has several distinct stages. Here is exactly what to expect:
- Create an account on the Chevening application portal at chevening.org
- Choose three UK universities and three courses that you will apply to (you do not need an offer at this stage)
- Complete the online application form β personal details, education, work experience, and four essays
- Submit two references from professional referees (not family members)
- Submit your application before the November deadline
- Shortlisting: Successful applicants are contacted for interviews (FebruaryβApril)
- Interviews: Conducted by the British High Commission in Abuja or Lagos
- Award notification: June (successful candidates notified)
- Apply to universities: July deadline for confirming your university place
The Four Chevening Essays β How to Win Them
The four essays are the heart of your application. Each has a 500-word limit. They are:
Essay 1: Leadership and Influence
This essay asks you to demonstrate your leadership and influencing skills with real examples from your career or community work. Do not write a generic essay about "always having been a leader" β pick one or two specific moments where your actions created measurable change. Quantify outcomes wherever possible.
Essay 2: Networking
Chevening values connected leaders. This essay explores how you build and use professional networks. Show that you understand networking as a two-way exchange of value β not just collecting business cards. Include specific examples of relationships you built and how they benefited others, not just yourself.
Essay 3: Your Study Plan in the UK
Explain clearly why you are choosing your specific course and universities, and how this degree connects your past experience to your future career plan in Nigeria. Be specific β mention professors, research groups, or specific modules. Generic answers like "the UK has great universities" fail here.
Essay 4: Your Career Plan
This essay asks about your career plan for after the scholarship. Show a clear, realistic vision for how you will return to Nigeria and create impact. Chevening funds future leaders β show them you are one. A clear 5-year plan referencing specific roles or organisations is far more convincing than vague ambitions.
How to Get Strong References
Two professional references are required. Your referees should know your work well and be able to speak to your leadership qualities, career achievements, and future potential. Ideal referees include:
- A direct supervisor or manager at your current or most recent employer
- A mentor, senior colleague, or professor who has observed your professional work
Give your referees the full brief on Chevening's values β leadership, networking, and impact β so they can align their letter accordingly. Provide them with bullet points of specific achievements you want them to highlight.
Interview Preparation Tips for Nigerians
If shortlisted, you will be interviewed by a panel at the British High Commission in Abuja or Lagos. The interview typically lasts 30β45 minutes. Common questions include:
- Why do you want to study this specific course?
- How will this scholarship help Nigeria?
- Tell us about a time you showed leadership under pressure.
- What is your plan for the two years after you return from the UK?
- Who are the key people in your professional network and why?
Practice answering using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Be specific, confident, and authentic. Interviewers are looking for genuine passion and a realistic plan β not rehearsed, polished-sounding answers.
Common Mistakes Nigerian Applicants Make
- Applying without the full 2,800 hours of work experience
- Choosing university courses that don't align with their stated career plan
- Writing generic essays that could apply to any scholarship
- Choosing referees who don't know their professional work well
- Not tailoring essays to specifically address each of Chevening's four values
- Applying to universities they haven't researched thoroughly
Apply Now
The official application portal is at chevening.org. Create your account early and start drafting your essays well in advance of the deadline. Give yourself at least 6β8 weeks of preparation time before submitting.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Award Type | Fully Funded Masters Scholarship |
| Duration | 1 year (Masters degree) |
| Location | Any eligible UK university |
| Covers | Tuition, living allowance, flights, extras |
| Work Experience Required | 2 years (2,800+ hours) |
| Application Deadline | Early November (annual) |
| Official Website | chevening.org |