Applications are open for the 2027–2028 Chevening Scholarship, offering eligible Nigerian graduates the opportunity to pursue a fully funded master’s degree in the United Kingdom.
The application deadline is 6 October 2026 at 12 noon Nigerian time. Successful applicants will begin their studies in September or October 2027. Official announcement
For NOUN graduates considering postgraduate study abroad, this opportunity is worth checking carefully, particularly the rules on when applicants completed their degrees and acquired their work experience.
Scholarship overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | Chevening Scholarship |
| Academic year | 2027–2028 |
| Sponsor | UK Government and partner organisations |
| Study destination | United Kingdom |
| Study level | Master’s degree |
| Funding | Fully funded, subject to award terms |
| Eligible nationality | Nigerians and citizens of other participating countries |
| Application deadline | 6 October 2026, 12 noon WAT |
Chevening supports one-year master’s study alongside opportunities to build professional networks and leadership skills. Applicants considering an MBA should note the published £22,000 tuition-fee cap; costs above that amount must be covered by the scholar. Scholarship overview · Course and MBA rules
Who can apply?
The principal requirements include:
- Citizenship of a Chevening-eligible country, including Nigeria.
- An undergraduate qualification that meets entry requirements for a UK master’s programme.
- Completion of undergraduate studies at least two years before the application deadline.
- At least 2,800 hours of work experience acquired after completing the undergraduate degree.
- Selection of three eligible UK master’s courses.
- A commitment to return to the country of award for at least two years after the scholarship.
Additional residency, citizenship, employment and previous scholarship restrictions apply. Applicants should read the complete criteria before starting. Official eligibility requirements
Can NOUN graduates apply?
Chevening’s published eligibility criteria do not specifically exclude graduates who earned their undergraduate degrees through distance learning.
This makes the scholarship potentially relevant to qualifying NOUN graduates. However, each selected UK university must accept the applicant’s qualification for admission, and all Chevening requirements must also be satisfied.
There is no published NOUN-specific allocation or guarantee of acceptance.
The restriction on distance learning applies to the proposed master’s course funded by Chevening. That course must meet the programme’s full-time, UK-based study requirements. Eligibility criteria · Eligible courses
Working while studying: check which experience counts
Many NOUN students combine employment with their degree. However, the current Chevening criteria require the qualifying work experience to have been obtained after undergraduate studies were completed.
Applicants should therefore check their official completion date and employment records before calculating their hours. Years spent working before completing the degree should not automatically be included.
Current undergraduates and graduates who do not meet the completion-date requirement will not qualify for this cycle. Official eligibility requirements
Choose your courses carefully
Eligible courses must be full-time, taught master’s programmes based in the UK, normally beginning in September or October and lasting between nine and 12 months.
Part-time courses, distance-learning programmes, doctoral degrees and research-focused MRes programmes are excluded.
Applicants must apply separately to their selected universities. Submitting a Chevening application does not constitute a university application. Official course guidance
How to apply
- Open the official Chevening Nigeria page using the link below.
- Review the eligibility criteria and confirm your degree-completion date.
- Calculate your eligible post-graduation work experience.
- Research and select three suitable master’s courses.
- Follow the official application link and complete your application accurately.
- Keep your application access code secure.
- Submit before 12 noon on 6 October 2026.
- Apply separately to your chosen universities.
Successful candidates must obtain and submit at least one acceptable unconditional university offer by 8 July 2027 at 17:00 BST. Individual universities may have earlier admission deadlines. Official application timeline
Avoid scholarship scams
Use the application route linked from Chevening’s official website. Do not pay anyone promising a guaranteed scholarship place, disclose your password or access code, or submit fabricated employment and academic information.
NOUN Update is an independent student-support platform and has no role in Chevening’s selection process.
Check the requirements and apply through the official Chevening Nigeria page
