The Chevening Scholarship is the UK Government's flagship international scholarships programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It offers full funding — tuition, living allowance, return flights, and visa costs — for a 1-year master's degree at any UK university. Nepal has a Chevening quota, with approximately 8–12 Nepali scholars selected each year. Competition is high, but with the right preparation, Nepali professionals with leadership potential and a development agenda for Nepal have a genuine chance.
The Chevening Scholarship is the UK Government’s flagship international scholarships programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It offers full funding — tuition, living allowance, return flights, and visa costs — for a 1-year master’s degree at any UK university. Nepal has a Chevening quota, with approximately 8–12 Nepali scholars selected each year. Competition is high, but with the right preparation, Nepali professionals with leadership potential and a development agenda for Nepal have a genuine chance.
What Chevening Covers
Chevening is one of the most generous scholarship programs available to Nepali students:
- Tuition fees: Full payment direct to the university (no limit on institution choice)
- Monthly living allowance: GBP 1,116/month (London) or GBP 978/month (other cities)
- Return airfare: Economy class, Kathmandu–UK return
- UK Student visa costs: Visa application fee + Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) paid
- Arrival and departure allowances: GBP 75 on arrival and on departure
- Travel to Chevening events: Funded attendance at networking events and UK government engagements
Eligibility Requirements
- Nepali citizen (not holding UK or dual UK citizenship)
- Return to Nepal: must commit to returning to Nepal for a minimum of 2 years after completing the scholarship
- Work experience: minimum 2 years of work experience (paid) by the time of application
- Academic requirement: bachelor’s degree equivalent to a UK Upper Second Class (2:1) honours degree (typically 65–70%+ in Nepal)
- English proficiency: IELTS 6.5 (with no band below 6.5) — must be submitted before the application deadline
- Leadership: demonstrated leadership potential and a plan to contribute to Nepal’s development
The Four Chevening Essays
The application requires four essays of 150 words each on: Leadership, Networking, Why the UK, and Career Plan. These are the soul of the application — vague, generic answers are immediately evident to evaluators who read thousands of applications.
Essay 1: Leadership (150 words)
Describe a specific situation where you demonstrated leadership. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Quantify the impact where possible. The leadership doesn’t have to be formal — community organising, mentoring, or driving change in a workplace context all count.
Essay 2: Networking (150 words)
Chevening explicitly values network-building. Describe how you have built and used professional networks, and how you plan to use your Chevening network (the global alumni community of 50,000+) on return to Nepal.
Essay 3: Why the UK (150 words)
Explain why a UK master’s (specifically) is necessary for your career goals. Reference specific UK academic strengths, faculty, research centres, or industry connections relevant to your field in Nepal.
Essay 4: Career Plan (150 words)
Your post-scholarship plan for Nepal is critical — this is what Chevening is funding. Be specific: name the organisation you will join or establish, the role you will play in Nepal’s development, and why your UK master’s is the missing piece.
The Chevening Interview
Shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview at the British Embassy in Kathmandu (typically March–April). Interviews last 30–45 minutes and probe the same four themes as the essays — leadership, networking, motivation, and return plan. Interviewers look for consistency between your written application and verbal responses. EVEC provides mock interview preparation for Chevening applicants.
Application Timeline for 2026-27 Chevening
- July–September 2025: Apply to 3 UK universities (obtain unconditional offers)
- August–November 2025: Complete Chevening online application (deadline typically early November)
- January–February 2026: Longlisting notification
- March–May 2026: Interviews at British Embassy Kathmandu
- June 2026: Award notification
- September 2026: Begin studies in the UK
How competitive is Chevening for Nepali students?
Nepal receives approximately 8–12 Chevening awards per year. Applications from Nepal typically number in the hundreds. The key differentiators are: strong, specific career plan for Nepal, genuine leadership experience, and coherent essay responses. EVEC counsellors have helped multiple Nepali students win Chevening.
Can I choose any UK university for Chevening?
Yes. Chevening is university-agnostic — you can study at any UKVI-licensed university. However, you must already have an unconditional offer from at least one of your three chosen universities before the scholarship application deadline. Apply to universities early.
Do I need to return to Nepal after Chevening?
Yes. Chevening scholars must return to their home country for a minimum of 2 years after completing the scholarship. This is a strict condition and is verified. The scholarship is explicitly for investing in future leaders who will develop their home countries.
- Chevening official website (www.chevening.org)
- Chevening eligibility criteria (www.chevening.org)
Frequently Asked Questions
How competitive is Chevening for Nepali students?
Nepal receives approximately 8–12 Chevening awards per year. Applications from Nepal typically number in the hundreds. The key differentiators are: strong, specific career plan for Nepal, genuine leadership experience, and coherent essay responses. EVEC counsellors have helped multiple Nepali students win Chevening.
Can I choose any UK university for Chevening?
Yes. Chevening is university-agnostic — you can study at any UKVI-licensed university. However, you must already have an unconditional offer from at least one of your three chosen universities before the scholarship application deadline. Apply to universities early.
Do I need to return to Nepal after Chevening?
Yes. Chevening scholars must return to their home country for a minimum of 2 years after completing the scholarship. This is a strict condition and is verified. The scholarship is explicitly for investing in future leaders who will develop their home countries.
Get Expert Guidance from EVEC
EVEC has helped thousands of Nepali students successfully study abroad since 2005. Our AIRC-certified counsellors provide personalised guidance at every step — from choosing the right university to visa lodgement. Book your free consultation today.