Chevening Scholarships 2027/28 for South African Students – Fully Funded UK Master’s

South African students and professionals who want to pursue a master’s degree in the United Kingdom can apply for the Chevening Scholarships 2027/28.

Chevening Scholarships are the UK Government’s flagship international scholarship programme, offering outstanding emerging leaders the opportunity to study a one-year taught master’s degree in the UK on a fully funded scholarship.

For South African applicants, the 2027/28 Chevening Scholarship application cycle is currently open.

Application deadline: 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC

The scholarship is highly competitive and is designed for people who can demonstrate leadership, influence, strong career ambitions and a commitment to creating positive change in their home country.

Chevening Scholarship 2027/28 at a glance

Scholarship: Chevening Scholarships 2027/28
Country: United Kingdom
Eligible applicants: South African citizens who meet the eligibility requirements
Study level: Master’s degree
Study duration: One year
Study type: Full-time taught master’s
Funding: Fully funded
Application status: Open
Application deadline: 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC
Studies begin: September/October 2027

Chevening Scholarships enable successful scholars to study for one-year master’s degrees in the UK while developing professionally, building international networks and gaining experience that they can take back to their home countries.

What does the Chevening Scholarship cover?

Chevening is a fully funded scholarship programme.

Successful recipients receive support that includes:

• Payment of tuition fees

• Economy return travel to and from the UK

• Arrival allowance

• UK visa application costs

• Departure allowance

• A contribution towards tuberculosis testing where required

• Travel top-up allowance

• Monthly personal living allowance (stipend)

The monthly stipend is intended to help cover accommodation and living expenses. The amount depends on whether the scholar is studying inside or outside London and is subject to annual review.

Chevening scholars also become part of an international network and have opportunities to engage with fellow scholars, alumni, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, partner organisations and other prominent speakers.

Who can apply for Chevening?

South African citizens can apply for the Chevening Scholarship provided they meet all of the programme's eligibility requirements.

Applicants must:

• Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory.

• Commit to returning to their home country for at least two years after their scholarship ends.

• Have at least two years of work experience, equivalent to 2,800 hours.

• Hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies them for a UK master’s programme.

• Have completed their undergraduate studies at least two years before the application deadline.

• Apply to three different eligible UK master’s courses.

• Obtain an unconditional offer from at least one of their selected courses by the required deadline.

Chevening's work-experience requirement can include different forms of professional experience, so applicants should check the official guidance carefully to determine whether their experience qualifies.

There is no upper age limit for Chevening Scholarships.

Applicants should also note that certain circumstances can make them ineligible, including holding British or dual British citizenship in circumstances specified by Chevening, being resident in the UK at the time of application, or having previously studied in the UK using certain UK Government-funded scholarships.

What can you study?

Chevening Scholarships are for eligible one-year, full-time taught master’s degrees in the UK.

The courses selected by applicants must:

• Be full-time.

• Start in the autumn term, normally September or October.

• Be taught master’s programmes.

• Lead to a master’s degree.

• Be based in the UK.

• Last at least nine months and no more than 12 months.

Chevening does not fund ordinary part-time courses, distance-learning courses, PhD or DPhil programmes, or courses involving more than one month of study outside the UK.

Applicants must choose three courses

As part of the Chevening application, applicants must select three eligible master's courses.

These can be three different courses at the same university or similar courses at up to three different universities.

Chevening recommends choosing courses carefully and applying to the universities as soon as possible. Applicants ultimately need to receive an unconditional offer from at least one of their selected courses by the specified deadline.

The three courses should be relevant to the applicant's current or future career goals.

Chevening Scholarship application deadline

Applications for the 2027/28 Chevening Scholarships opened on 4 August 2026.

The application deadline is:

6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC

After the deadline, applicants will no longer be able to access the online application system for this application cycle.

South African applicants should convert the deadline to South African time and submit their applications well before the closing time rather than waiting until the final hours.

Chevening 2027/28 application timeline

The official application timeline includes the following stages:

4 August 2026: Applications open.

6 October 2026: Applications close at 11:00 UTC.

From October 2026: Applications are checked against the eligibility criteria.

Mid-October 2026 to January 2027: Eligible applications are assessed by independent reading committees.

Mid-February 2027: Applicants shortlisted for interviews are notified.

March to April 2027: Interviews take place at British embassies and high commissions.

Mid-June 2027: Successful interview results begin to be announced.

8 July 2027: Successful candidates must have submitted at least one unconditional UK university offer by 17:00 BST.

September/October 2027: Successful Chevening Scholars begin their studies in the UK.

How to apply for the Chevening Scholarship

South African applicants must complete their Chevening application through the official online application system.

Before applying, applicants should:

1. Check the official Chevening eligibility requirements.

2. Research eligible one-year taught master’s courses in the UK.

3. Select three suitable courses.

4. Prepare their application and supporting information.

5. Submit the Chevening application before the deadline.

6. Apply separately to their selected UK universities.

7. If shortlisted, prepare for the Chevening interview.

8. Obtain an unconditional offer from at least one selected UK university by the required deadline.

Chevening explains that applicants first register through the online system, complete an eligibility checker and then continue with the application after passing the eligibility check. Applicants receive a unique access code that they need when returning to their application.

Official application

South African applicants should apply through the official Chevening application system.

Application deadline: 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC

Study destination: United Kingdom

Study level: Master’s

Funding: Fully funded

Application status: Open

Official application: Apply for Chevening Scholarships 2027/28

Official South Africa scholarship page: Chevening South Africa

Applicants should use the official Chevening website for the latest eligibility requirements, application instructions and deadline information.

Important advice for South African applicants

Chevening Scholarships are highly competitive. Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee that an applicant will be selected.

Applicants should use their application to demonstrate their leadership and influencing experience, career ambitions and how they intend to use their experience and education to contribute to positive change.

It is also important to research UK universities early. The Chevening application requires three eligible course choices, and successful applicants must eventually obtain an unconditional offer from at least one of them.

Applicants should not wait until the final day to submit their Chevening application. Starting early gives them more time to research courses, prepare their application and deal with any technical or documentation issues.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chevening available to South African students?

Yes. South Africa is a participating country for the Chevening Scholarship, and the official South Africa page confirms that applications for the 2027/28 cycle are open.

Is the Chevening Scholarship fully funded?

Yes. Chevening describes its standard scholarship as fully funded and provides tuition fees, travel, visa-related support, a living stipend and other allowances subject to the programme's terms and conditions.

What degree does Chevening fund?

Chevening Scholarships fund eligible one-year taught master's degrees in the UK. They do not ordinarily fund undergraduate degrees, PhDs or DPhil programmes.

How many courses must I choose?

Applicants must select three different eligible master's courses as part of their Chevening application.

Do I need work experience?

Yes. Applicants must have at least two years of work experience, equivalent to 2,800 hours, acquired after completing their undergraduate degree.

When does the 2027/28 application close?

The deadline is 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.

When would successful applicants start studying?

Successful 2027/28 Chevening Scholars are expected to begin their studies in the UK in September or October 2027.

Final reminder

If you are a South African applicant interested in studying for a master's degree in the UK, the Chevening Scholarships 2027/28 offer a major fully funded study opportunity.

Check the eligibility requirements carefully, research your three eligible master's courses and submit your application before the 6 October 2026 deadline.

Official application: Chevening Scholarship application portal

Official South Africa information: Chevening in South Africa