Chevening Scholarship Nepal: 2027/28 Timeline, Eligibility and How to Prepare

What Is Chevening?

Chevening is the UK government’s international scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations. It funds a one-year master’s at a UK university for people with leadership potential, and Nepal is one of the countries where it runs.

An award typically covers tuition, a monthly living stipend, a return economy flight, the visa application and other allowances. Chevening does not pay for dependants.

Who Is Eligible from Nepal?

To apply you must, according to Chevening’s eligibility guidance: Chevening, 2026

• be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country, such as Nepal;
• return to your home country for at least two years after the award ends;
• have completed an undergraduate degree that lets you enter a UK master’s by the time you apply;
• have at least 2,800 hours (about two years) of work experience when you submit your application;
• apply to three different eligible UK courses and hold an unconditional offer from one of them by the offer deadline.

There is no upper age limit. Full-time, part-time, voluntary and freelance work and paid or unpaid internships all count, whether done before, during or after your degree. Work that was a compulsory part of your course does not. Chevening, work experience guidance

Where the 2027/28 Round Stands

If you applied in 2026, watch your email and the Chevening portal in mid-February 2027. If you did not, the next round is for 2028/29 study and usually opens in August 2027.

How to Prepare for the Next Round

1. Check your work hours. Add up every eligible role, including part-time, voluntary and internship work; you need 2,800 hours when you submit.
2. Pick three courses with a clear link to your career. Chevening wants a credible plan, so each course should fit the same goal.
3. Draft the four essays early. Leadership, networking, studying in the UK and your career plan. Use specific examples with results.
4. Line up two referees. They submit references after shortlisting, so choose people who know your work.
5. Apply to universities in parallel. You need an unconditional offer by July, so meet English and document conditions early.
6. Prepare for interview. Expect questions on your essays, your leadership examples and how you will use the degree in Nepal.

Our scholarship essay guide covers structure and common mistakes.

Chevening or a University Scholarship?

Chevening is fully funded but very competitive and requires work experience. University scholarships are smaller, usually tuition discounts, but far more widely available. Most Nepali students apply for both: Chevening for the full award, and a university scholarship as part of a self-funded plan if Chevening does not come through.

GREAT and Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are not open to Nepali citizens. See GREAT eligibility and Commonwealth eligibility.