Chevening Scholarship 2027 28 Closes for Indian Applicants on 6 October 2026 at 430pm IST

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office shuts Chevening Scholarship 2027/28 applications on 6 October 2026 at 4:30pm IST. Indian graduates with 2,800 hours of qualifying work experience face a three-day window to submit. The online portal opened on 4 August 2026 after the Chevening Secretariat released the cycle schedule. Final award offers will roll out in mid-June 2027, with scholars starting UK master’s courses in September 2027.

• Applicants must list three separate UK master’s course choices and secure at least one unconditional offer by 8 July 2027.
• The 11:00 UTC cut-off on 6 October 2026 is firm, with no late submissions or technical extensions after the clock.
• Chevening Scholars must commit to returning to India for at least two years after course completion, under a binding condition of the award.

India has historically been one of Chevening’s largest country cohorts, drawing thousands of applications each year for a limited batch of fully-funded seats. The 2027/28 cycle lands as UK postgraduate costs climb, raising the stakes for every applicant preparing essays this week.

Also Read: Chevening Scholarship Eligibility and Grant Amount

Who Can Apply for the Chevening 2027/28 Award?

Chevening Scholarship is open to Indian citizens who hold an undergraduate degree recognised for UK master’s entry. The core gate is work experience, measured in hours, not years. The Chevening Secretariat counts paid employment, voluntary work, internships and placements towards the 2,800-hour minimum.

Applicants must also commit to returning to India for two years after their course. Current UK government employees, Chevening alumni from past cycles, and dual UK nationals are not eligible under the FCDO’s published rules.

What the Chevening Scholarship Covers

Chevening is fully funded by the UK FCDO and partner organisations. The award pays full tuition for a one-year taught master’s at any eligible UK university. Scholars receive a monthly stipend to cover living costs during the programme.

The stipend band depends on whether the scholar studies in London or elsewhere in the UK. The package positions a Chevening Scholar well above the UK’s £12,006 annual maintenance threshold set for self-funded student visa holders.

How Do Indian Students Apply Before 6 October 2026?

The application sits entirely on the Chevening online portal. Applicants must register, complete four written essays, upload documents and name two referees. The core essays test leadership, networking, career plan and course choice.

1. Create or log into your account on the Chevening application portal before 6 October 2026.
2. Draft the four Chevening essays, each capped at 500 words, covering leadership, networking, career plan and study plan.
3. List three different UK master’s courses from the Chevening-eligible catalogue, verifying each programme’s September 2027 intake dates.
4. Nominate two referees, who can submit letters later if your application is shortlisted after the first round.
5. Submit before 11:00 UTC on 6 October 2026; late submissions are not accepted on any ground.

References and UK university offers are not needed at submission. The Chevening Secretariat requests both only after the shortlist stage in February 2027.

Which UK Universities Count for Chevening?

Chevening Scholars can study at any UK university offering an eligible one-year taught master’s. The Chevening course finder lists qualifying programmes. Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, UCL, Edinburgh, King’s College London and Warwick dominate past Indian cohorts.

Research master’s degrees, PhDs, part-time programmes and distance-learning courses do not qualify. Executive MBAs and non-degree courses are also outside the scheme. Applicants pursuing MS Computer Science in the UK or policy, management and public health routes typically make up the bulk of Indian Chevening selections.

Key Dates After the 6 October 2026 Deadline

Action Plan for Indian Applicants This Week

1. Log into the portal today and run a dry save of all four essays before 4 October 2026.
2. Confirm your 2,800 work-hour log with dated proof from each employer.
3. Finalise three UK master’s course codes from the Chevening eligible list.
4. Line up two referees who can respond quickly if you clear the February 2027 shortlist.
5. Submit the application by 4:30pm IST on 6 October 2026 and screenshot the confirmation page.

The Chevening 2027/28 window is now in its final hours for Indian applicants. Missing the 6 October 2026 cut-off closes the fully-funded UK master’s route for another year. The next cycle is expected to open in August 2027, with that round funding September 2028 intakes.