Applications for the 2018/19 Chevening Scholarship now open


CHEVENING: The UK Government’s Global Awards Scheme

Future Leaders Study in the UK

Chevening Scholarships are awarded to outstanding emerging leaders to pursue a one-year master’s at any UK university. The scholarship programme provides a unique opportunity for future leaders, influencers, and decision-makers from all over the world to develop professionally and academically, network extensively, experience UK culture, and to further shape the UK-China bilateral relationship.

Chevening began in 1983 and has developed into a prestigious international awards scheme. With over 3,500 alumni in Mainland China, there are over 48,000 Chevening Alumni around the world who are part of an influential and highly regarded global network covering all areas of society, including politics, business, media, science and technology, civil society and academia.

In 2016, the UK Government funded 98 China Chevening Scholars and 15 China Chevening Fellows from 18 different provinces and municipalities to attend postgraduate study at UK universities, joining 1,900 Chevening Scholars from 160 different countries and territories around the world. During 2016/17, Chevening Scholars attended a Roundtable Discussion at Buckingham Palace with HRH The Duke of York, took part in UK-China dialogues, visited the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, and met with senior leaders including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Chinese Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming. 

The Chevening Scholarship includes university tuition fees*, a monthly stipend, travel costs to and from the UK, an arrival allowance, a homeward departure allowance, the cost of one visa application and a travel grant to attend Chevening events in the UK.

*There is a fee cap applied to MBA programmes that requires applicants to cover any additional cost over £18,000.

Applicants for Chevening China Scholarships can be from any province in Mainland China. Chevening supports applicants who demonstrate strong leadership skills or potential in their chosen field, regardless of social or economic background. Applicants for Chevening China Scholarships can be from any field and representative of any institution.

To be eligible for a China Chevening Scholarship you must:

  • Be a Chinese National currently residing in the People’s Republic of China;
  • Have received offers from your chosen university in the UK;
  • Return to your country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after your award has ended;
  • Have an undergraduate degree that will enable you to gain entry onto a postgraduate programme at a UK university. This is typically equivalent to an upper second-class 2:1 honours degree in the UK;
  • Have at least two years’ work experience;
  • Meet the Chevening English language requirement;
  • Hold British or dual British citizenship (unless you are a citizen of a British Overseas Territory or hold BN(O) and are applying from Hong Kong)
  • Not be an employee, a former employee, or relative of an employee (since July 2015) of Her Majesty’s Government (including British Embassies/High Commissions, the Department for International Development, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Department for International Trade, the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office), the British Council, or a staff member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. Employees, former employees, or relatives of an employee (since July 2015) of Chevening Partner organisations are eligible to apply, but cannot receive a Chevening/Partner Award from the organisation for which they work, previously worked, or are affiliated with through relatives.
  • Have previously studied in the UK with funding from a UK Government-funded scholarship. However, if you have previously studied under a UK Government-funded scholarship (including Chevening), you may be eligible to apply for a Chevening Fellowship five years after completion of your initial UK Government-funded scholarship.

To apply for a Chevening Scholarship, you should:

  • Complete and submit an online application at chevening.org/apply by Tuesday 7 November 12:00 GMT
  • Apply to three different eligible UK university courses and have received an unconditional offer from one of these choices by 12 July 2018
  • Meet the Chevening English language requirement by 12 July 2018

HM Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Dame Barbara Woodward, said the following:

“Chevening Scholars possess the kind of leadership we need in the world today. They are the pioneers of the Global Partnership, forging a new and confident future for the world with zeal and enthusiasm. They are leaders that are prepared to evolve their thinking in order to adapt to the moment, influencing others to make positive change in society.

“The Chevening Programme sows the seeds for a Global Partnership that works for all, creating a global community of future leaders that are able to respond to the greatest challenges of our time.”

To receive regular updates about Chevening, please contact the China Chevening Team by sending a personal introduction to chevening.beijing@fco.gov.uk or visit the Chevening Homepage at www.chevening.org.

For more information regarding the application process, please click here.