Chevening Scholarship: eligibility and application

The Chevening Scholarship is the UK government's international scholarship programme. Every year it funds promising professionals from around the world, including Tunisians, for a one-year master's at the UK university of their choice. Highly selective, it does not only reward grades but above all leadership and potential for influence. Here are the conditions, the steps and our advice for a strong application.

The criteria and timeline are published every year on the official Chevening website. Always check the rules for the current cycle.

What the scholarship covers

The Chevening Scholarship is fully funded: it generally covers

• the master's tuition fees;

• a monthly stipend for living costs;

• the return flight ticket;

• visa fees;

• certain additional allowances (arrival, departure, dissertation…).

It also gives access to a worldwide network of alumni and to events throughout the year.

Eligibility requirements

To apply from Tunisia, you generally need to:

• be a Tunisian national (or from an eligible country);

• hold a bachelor's degree that gives access to a master's in the UK;

• have at least two years of work experience (the programme counts cumulative working hours; internships and volunteering may sometimes count);

• apply to three eligible master's courses at different UK universities;

• commit to returning to Tunisia for at least two years after the master's.

Some people (for example employees of certain British institutions) are not eligible: read the official rules.

Typical timeline

• Summer – autumn: the online application opens and then closes (the window generally lasts a few months and closes in early autumn).

• Winter: shortlisting of applications.

• Spring: interviews at the British Embassy in Tunis (or online).

• Early summer: results; finalists must present an unconditional offer from a university by a set date.

• September – October: departure and start of the master's.

This means you apply about a year before the master's begins.

The application: the four essays

The core of the application is four essays, each with a word limit:

1. Leadership and influence: a concrete example where you led a project, persuaded people, mobilised a team.

2. Networking and relationships: how you build and use a network, and how you will use it after Chevening.

3. Why the UK and these master's courses: why these three programmes, and how they serve your plans.

4. Career plan: your short- and long-term goals, and your impact in Tunisia.

Recommended method: use a situation, action, result structure and measurable facts ("I coordinated a team of 8 volunteers and organised 3 events for 400 participants").

Other documents

• your degrees and transcripts;

• two references (professor, employer);

• an ID document;

• later, the unconditional offer from a university.

An English test is generally no longer required directly by Chevening, but universities ask for their own score, often IELTS. See IELTS in Tunisia.

The interview

The interview generally lasts around thirty minutes, in front of a panel. It covers your essays: leadership, networking, choice of master's courses, career plan. Prepare precise examples, know your three programmes inside out and show your knowledge of relations between Tunisia and the UK in your field.

Our advice

1. Start early: writing four good essays takes weeks.

2. Choose master's courses consistent with your background and career plan.

3. Apply to universities in parallel: the unconditional offer is mandatory.

4. Have your essays proofread by someone who knows the programme.

5. Show local impact: Chevening is looking for future decision-makers in Tunisia.

Sample structure for the leadership essay

Here is a simple structure you can adapt to your experience:

1. The context (2 to 3 sentences): where, when, what problem or opportunity.

2. Your role: what you decided to do, and why it was up to you to do it.

3. The actions: how you mobilised others, overcame obstacles, made decisions.

4. The results: quantified if possible (people reached, budget, deadlines, impact).

5. What you learned and how you will use it in the future.

Choose a recent and real example, preferably professional or from community work, where your personal role is clear.

Choosing your three master's courses

The three master's courses must:

• be consistent with each other and with your career plan;

• be offered by three different universities;

• be full-time one-year master's courses eligible for the programme;

• match your academic level (aim for at least one programme where your chances of admission are solid).

In the "Why the UK" essay, explain what each programme concretely gives you: modules, professors, projects, network.

Recommended preparation timeline

• 3 to 4 months before opening: choice of master's courses, arranging references, first draft of the essays.

• At opening: proofreading, finalising, submitting the application well before the deadline.

• During shortlisting: applications to the three universities, IELTS preparation if needed.

• Before the interview: mock interviews, news in your sector, relations between Tunisia and the UK.

• After the interview: obtaining at least one unconditional offer before the set date.

The most common mistakes

• Generic essays that could have been written by any candidate.

• A vague career plan or one with no link to Tunisia.

• Master's courses chosen only for the university's reputation.

• Insufficient or miscounted work experience.

• Waiting until the last week to submit the application.

Our support

Worldwide Studies helps you choose your three master's courses, structure your essays, prepare for the interview and obtain your admission offers. See our page Study in the United Kingdom and our scholarships overview.

👉 Talk to an advisor to prepare your Chevening application as soon as it opens.