Chevening Scholarship 2027–28 for Pakistani Students

Applications for the 2027–28 Chevening Scholarships are open for Pakistani applicants. Chevening is the UK Government's international scholarship programme for future leaders. It provides an opportunity to complete a one-year taught Master's degree at a UK university.

For the 2027–28 intake, applications opened on 4 August 2026 and will close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. The scholarship is funded by the UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations.

Which Subjects Are Eligible for Chevening?

Chevening does not restrict applicants to one particular academic subject. Pakistani students can choose from a wide range of Master's subjects, provided that their selected course meets Chevening's eligibility requirements.

Possible subject areas include:

1. Business and Management

2. Economics and Finance

3. Computer Science and Information Technology

4. Artificial Intelligence and Data Science

5. Engineering

6. Public Policy

7. International Relations

8. Political Science

9. Law

10. Development Studies

11. Education

12. Environmental and Climate Studies

13. Health and Public Health

14. Media and Communications

15. Social Sciences

16. International Development

17. Other eligible Master's fields

The subject alone does not determine eligibility. Your selected Master's course must meet Chevening's specific course requirements.

What Type of Master's Course Is Eligible?

Chevening requires applicants to select three different eligible Master's courses.

The selected courses must:

• Be full-time

• Be based in the UK

• Start in the autumn term, usually September or October

• Be taught Master's programmes

• Lead to a Master's degree

• Last at least 9 months

• Last no more than 12 months

The following courses are not eligible:

• Part-time courses

• Distance-learning courses

• Courses lasting less than 9 months

• Courses lasting more than 12 months

• PhD or DPhil programmes

• Research-focused Master's programmes such as MRes

• Courses with more than one month of study outside the UK

Applicants must also apply separately to the universities for their selected courses.

Choose Three Different Courses

You must select three different eligible Master's courses in your Chevening application.

The three courses can be at the same university or at different UK universities, but they must be different courses.

Chevening recommends choosing courses that are similar in content and clearly connected to your career goals.

Who Can Apply for Chevening from Pakistan?

Pakistani citizens can apply because Pakistan is a Chevening-eligible country.

However, applicants must meet all Chevening eligibility requirements. Pakistani citizenship alone does not guarantee eligibility.

Chevening Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for the 2027–28 scholarship must meet the following requirements.

1. Pakistani Citizenship

You must be a citizen of a country or territory eligible for Chevening.

For Pakistani applicants, the application is made under the Pakistan Chevening programme.

2. Undergraduate Degree

You must hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies you for admission to a Master's programme at a UK university.

For the current application cycle, your undergraduate studies must have been completed at least two years before the application deadline.

For the 2027–28 cycle, this means you must have completed your undergraduate degree by October 2024.

You do not necessarily need to have received the physical degree certificate by the application deadline, but you must have the certificate by the time of your interview.

3. At Least 2,800 Hours of Work Experience

Applicants must have at least 2,800 hours of work experience acquired after completing their undergraduate degree.

This is roughly equivalent to two years of full-time work based on a 35-hour working week. The experience must have been gained over a minimum period of two years.

Chevening accepts different types of work experience, including:

• Full-time employment

• Part-time employment

• Voluntary work

• Paid internships

• Unpaid internships

You can combine different types of work experience to reach the required number of hours.

Applicants can enter up to 15 different employment periods in their application.

4. Apply to Three Eligible UK Master's Courses

You must select three eligible courses in your Chevening application.

You do not have to apply to the universities before submitting your Chevening application. However, you should apply to your chosen universities as early as possible.

5. Obtain an Unconditional University Offer

If you are successful in the Chevening selection process, you must obtain an unconditional offer from at least one of your three selected UK Master's courses.

For the 2027–28 cycle, the deadline for submitting at least one unconditional university offer is:

8 July 2027 at 17:00 BST

6. Return to Pakistan After Your Scholarship

Chevening scholars must commit to returning to their country of award for at least two years after their scholarship ends.

For Pakistani scholars, this means committing to return to Pakistan after completing the scholarship.

Who Is Not Eligible for Chevening?

You cannot apply if you fall into certain categories.

For example, you are not eligible if you:

1. Hold British or dual British citizenship, except in the specific exceptions stated by Chevening.

2. Are currently resident in the UK, except for circumstances specified by Chevening.

3. Hold refugee status in a country that is not Chevening eligible.

4. Are an employee, immediate relative of an employee, or certain former employees of specified UK Government departments, the British Council, a partner UK university or their wholly owned subsidiaries.

5. Have previously studied in the UK with a UK Government-funded scholarship, subject to Chevening's specific rules and exceptions.

Having previously completed a Master's degree does not automatically prevent you from applying for another Master's degree in the UK.

What Does the Chevening Scholarship Cover?

Chevening provides comprehensive financial support to successful scholars.

The award includes:

1. University tuition fees

2. Economy-class return travel to and from your country of residence through an approved route

3. Arrival allowance

4. UK visa application fee

5. Departure allowance

6. Up to £75 contribution towards a TB test where required

7. Travel top-up allowance

8. Monthly living allowance for accommodation and living expenses

The monthly stipend depends on whether your study location is inside or outside London and is subject to annual review.

Chevening also provides opportunities for scholars to build professional relationships with other scholars, alumni, the FCDO, partner organisations and other influential figures.

Is IELTS Required for Chevening?

Chevening itself does not require an English language test score as part of its scholarship eligibility.

However, applicants need sufficient English ability to complete the application and interview successfully.

The selected UK university may also have its own English language requirement for admission.

Pakistani applicants should therefore check the English-language requirements of each university and course they choose.

How to Apply for the Chevening Scholarship 2027–28

Applications are submitted online through the official Chevening application system.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Before applying, make sure you meet the key requirements, including:

• Pakistani citizenship

• An undergraduate degree

• 2,800 hours of post-undergraduate work experience

• Three eligible UK Master's course choices

• Commitment to return to Pakistan for at least two years

Step 2: Register Online

Create your Chevening application through the official online application system.

You will need an email address and mobile phone number.

After registration, you will receive access to the application system and a unique access code. Keep this code safe because you will need it to access your application.

Step 3: Complete Your Personal and Education Information

You will provide information such as:

• Personal details

• Passport and citizenship information

• Education history

• Work experience

• Preferred interview location

Step 4: Select Three Master's Courses

Enter your three eligible UK Master's course choices.

Research each course carefully and make sure it meets Chevening's eligibility requirements.

Step 5: Provide Two Referees

You must provide the names and contact details of two referees.

They can be:

• Two professional referees

• Two academic referees

• One professional and one academic referee

Your referees should know you professionally or academically and should not be your friend or relative.

If you are invited to an interview, you will need to provide two reference letters.

Step 6: Answer the Four Chevening Essay Questions

The application includes four essay questions covering:

1. Leadership and influencing

2. Building professional relationships and networking

3. Your course choices and how they support your goals

4. Your career plans and future impact

These areas are used to assess applicants' leadership, networking, career planning and reasons for choosing their UK course.

Important: Chevening Essays Must Be Your Own Work

Chevening states that using artificial intelligence to generate answers to its essay questions is strictly prohibited.

Applicants must submit their own original work.

Using AI-generated answers, copied material or fraudulent content can result in disqualification. Applicants are also asked to confirm that they have not used AI to generate their answers.

What Happens After You Submit the Application?

After the application deadline, Chevening first checks applications against its eligibility criteria.

Eligible applications are then assessed by independent reading committees.

Shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview at a British embassy or high commission.

For the 2027–28 cycle:

• Interview invitations are expected from mid-February 2027.

• Interviews are expected to take place during March and April 2027.

• Results are expected from mid-June 2027.

Candidates invited to an interview must upload their required documents at least seven working days before the interview. These include photo ID, an undergraduate education certificate and reference letters.

What Makes a Chevening Application Strong?

Chevening assesses applicants in several important areas.

Leadership and Influence

Applicants should provide real examples of leading people, projects or initiatives and influencing others to achieve meaningful results.

Professional Relationships

Applicants should demonstrate their ability to build and maintain professional relationships and work with others to achieve positive outcomes.

Course Choice

Applicants should explain why their selected course is relevant to their background, career goals and the challenges they want to address.

Career Plan

Applicants should have a clear and realistic short-term, mid-term and long-term career plan.

Chevening particularly looks for applicants who can explain how their UK education and experience will help them create meaningful impact after returning home.

Important Points for Pakistani Students

Before applying, remember:

1. Pakistan is eligible for the Chevening Scholarship.

2. The scholarship is for a one-year taught Master's degree in the UK.

3. The scholarship is not limited to a particular academic subject. The selected Master's course must be Chevening eligible.

4. You must choose three different eligible Master's courses.

5. You need at least 2,800 hours of work experience after completing your undergraduate degree.

6. You must have completed your undergraduate studies by October 2024 for the 2027–28 cycle.

7. If you progress successfully, you must obtain an unconditional offer from at least one selected UK course by 8 July 2027.

8. You must commit to returning to Pakistan for at least two years after the scholarship.

9. Chevening itself does not require an IELTS score, but your university may require proof of English proficiency.

10. You need two referees.

11. Your Chevening essays must be your own original work.

12. Using AI to generate your Chevening essay answers is prohibited.

13. The application is free. Chevening does not require applicants to pay an agent to submit an application.

Chevening Scholarship 2027–28 Deadline

The application period for the 2027–28 Chevening Scholarship opened on 4 August 2026.

The application deadline is:

6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC

Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline and ensure that all information provided is accurate and complete.

Summary

The Chevening Scholarship 2027–28 provides eligible Pakistani professionals with an opportunity to study a one-year taught Master's degree in the UK with financial support covering tuition, travel, living expenses and other specified costs.

The scholarship is not limited to a particular academic subject. Applicants must choose eligible Master's courses, meet the required post-undergraduate work experience requirement, demonstrate leadership and networking abilities, present a realistic career plan and satisfy all Chevening eligibility conditions.