Chevening Scholarship (South Africa)
Chevening (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, administered by the Chevening Secretariat)
The Chevening Scholarship is the UK government's flagship, fully funded award for emerging leaders to complete a one-year taught master's degree at any UK university. South Africa has a dedicated country programme, and the scholarship is open to South African citizens in any field of study who plan to return home and contribute to their country. It covers full tuition, a living stipend, return flights and more.
- Amount
- Fully funded — full tuition + living stipend + return flights + allowances (no fixed cash figure published)
- Deadline
- Closed 6 October 2026
- Renewable
- No
Eligible Fields of Study
Chevening (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, administered by the Chevening Secretariat) supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ Be a South African citizen and return to South Africa for a minimum of two years after the scholarship ends
- ✓ Hold an undergraduate degree that enables entry to a UK master's programme, completed at least two years before the application deadline
- ✓ Have at least two years (2,800 hours) of work experience completed after your undergraduate degree
- ✓ Apply to three different eligible UK university courses and secure an unconditional offer from at least one by the offer deadline
- ✓ Not hold British or dual British citizenship (limited exceptions), and not be resident in the UK when you apply
- ✓ Not be an employee, recent former employee (within two years) or immediate relative of an employee of a UK government department, the British Council or a partner UK university, and not have previously studied in the UK on a UK government-funded scholarship
What's Included
- ✓ Payment of university tuition fees for a one-year master's degree
- ✓ Monthly living allowance (stipend) for accommodation and living costs, at rates for London or outside London
- ✓ Economy return travel between South Africa and the UK
- ✓ Arrival allowance
- ✓ Departure allowance
- ✓ Cost of one UK visa (entry clearance) application
- ✓ Up to GBP 75 towards TB testing, where required
- ✓ Travel top-up allowance
- ✓ Access to the global Chevening alumni network of leaders and professionals
How to Apply
Steps to complete your Chevening (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, administered by the Chevening Secretariat) bursary application
- 1
Visit the Chevening South Africa country page at chevening.org/scholarship/south-africa and check the eligibility criteria
- 2
Wait for applications to open — the 2027/28 round ran from August to 6 October 2026, and the 2028/29 round is expected to open around August 2027
- 3
Create an account and complete the online application form on the Chevening website
- 4
Choose three eligible one-year taught master's courses at UK universities
- 5
Write the required essays (leadership, networking, career plan and choice of course)
- 6
Provide details for two referees
- 7
Submit your application before the deadline (11:00 UTC on the closing date)
- 8
If shortlisted, upload your documents at least seven working days before your interview, then attend an interview at the British High Commission (March to April in the 2027/28 cycle)
- 9
Secure at least one unconditional UK university offer by the offer deadline (17:00 UK time on 8 July 2027 for 2027/28)
- 10
Successful candidates start their studies in the UK in September or October
Required Documents
- 📄 Valid passport or national ID confirming South African citizenship
- 📄 Academic transcripts and degree certificate(s) for your undergraduate qualification (the certificate is needed by your interview)
- 📄 Evidence of at least two years (2,800 hours) of work experience
- 📄 Details of two referees
- 📄 Unconditional offer letter(s) from a UK university (by the separate later deadline)
- 📄 Any English language test results your chosen UK universities require
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can apply for a Chevening Scholarship from South Africa?
- South African citizens who hold an undergraduate degree completed at least two years before the deadline, have at least two years (2,800 hours) of work experience, and will return to South Africa for at least two years after the scholarship. You must apply to three eligible UK master's courses and secure at least one unconditional offer. British or dual British citizens and people resident in the UK are not eligible.
- How much is the Chevening Scholarship worth?
- Chevening does not publish a single cash figure — it is a fully funded award. It pays tuition fees for a one-year master's, a monthly living allowance, economy return travel, arrival and departure allowances, the cost of one UK visa application, up to GBP 75 for TB testing where required, and a travel top-up allowance.
- When does the Chevening application open and close?
- The 2027/28 round opened in August 2026 and closed on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC; Chevening's South Africa page showed it as closed on 12 October 2026. The 2026/27 round also opened in early August (5 August 2025), so the 2028/29 round is expected to open around August 2027. Successful applicants must also hold an unconditional UK university offer by a later deadline (8 July 2027 for 2027/28).
- Does Chevening fund any field of study?
- Yes. Chevening funds any subject as long as it is a one-year taught master's degree at a UK university. You apply to three eligible courses and must secure at least one unconditional offer by the stated deadline.
2027 applications have closed
The 2027 application window closed on 6 October 2026.
Applications for 2027/28 study opened in August 2026 and closed on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC (the standard Chevening deadline this cycle); Chevening's South Africa page showed the round as closed on 12 October 2026. The 2028/29 round is expected to open around August 2027; dates were not announced as of 12 October 2026.
Still need funding for 2027? See bursaries that are still open.
Check Chevening (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, administered by the Chevening Secretariat)'s official siteInformation verified 2026-10-12. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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