Chevening Scholarship
Chevening is the UK government's flagship international scholarship, fully funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It supports one-year taught Master's study at any UK university for emerging leaders. Sri Lanka is an eligible country and typically receives 7–12 awards per cycle, with final interviews held at the British High Commission in Colombo.
2027/28 cycle is OPEN NOW — applications opened 4 August 2026 (11:00 UTC) and close 6 October 2026 (11:00 UTC). Scholars start at UK universities in September/October 2027.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Government-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
Fully Funded
Duration
1-Year Master's
Travel
Return Flights Included
info How this award actually works
This is a separate, highly competitive application
Government awards like this one run their own selection round against applicants from across the world, and success rates are usually in the low single digits. Lanka Scholar does not administer it and cannot submit it for you. Treat it as a bonus on top of a funded study plan — never as the plan itself.
Who awards it
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through a separate application round run by the funder, with its own forms, deadlines and shortlisting. You submit it yourself — it is not part of a university admission application.
What it covers
Full Tuition + Living + Flights. Read the terms carefully: even fully-funded awards rarely cover every cost, and any shortfall is yours to fund.
Where we come in
We help you judge whether this award is worth your time, and build a realistic admission plan that works whether or not you win it.
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Bachelor's Degree
Undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK upper second-class (2:1) — typically a first-class honours from a Sri Lankan university qualifies you for most courses.
2,800 Hours Work Experience
Minimum 2,800 hours of work experience (about 2 years full-time) accumulated by the application deadline. Paid work, voluntary work, internships and part-time roles all count.
Three UK Offers
Apply to three different eligible UK Master's programmes and secure an unconditional offer from at least one by the offer deadline (typically mid-July before September entry).
Return to Sri Lanka
A binding commitment to return to Sri Lanka for at least 2 years immediately after the scholarship ends. This is non-negotiable.
account_tree Application Process
Apply online by early October
Submit the Chevening application at chevening.org. Four essays are critical: Leadership & Influence, Networking, Studying in the UK, and Career Plan.
Reference & document stage
Shortlisted applicants are asked for two references and education transcripts — typically December to January.
Interview in Colombo
Final interviews are held at the British High Commission in Colombo, usually February to April.
Secure your UK offer
Conditional awardees must hold at least one unconditional UK Master's offer by the FCDO deadline (around 9 July) to confirm the scholarship.
Why Chevening?
Chevening Alumni hold senior leadership roles in government, business, civil society, and academia worldwide — including a strong Sri Lankan network that actively mentors new scholars.
50,000+
Alumni Globally
160+
Eligible Countries
£40k+
Avg. Total Award
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.
Work out your real number
Tuition, living costs, visa funds and flights for your destination — so you know the gap you are actually trying to close.
Open the cost calculator arrow_forwardSort courses by lowest fee
The full catalogue, cheapest tuition first. Changing course or country saves far more than most awards are worth.
Browse lowest-fee courses arrow_forwardWhat UK actually costs
Tuition, living costs and the total first-year figure for UK, in LKR as well as local currency.
See the cost breakdown arrow_forwardCheck your proof of funds
Every student visa requires you to show funds. Find out what you need before you commit to an application.
Check the requirement arrow_forwardSimilar Scholarships
Other curated opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC)
Commonwealth Master's Scholarship
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission UK
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship (UK Govt)
UK Government / Commonwealth Scholarship Commission