Opportunity
Chevening Scholarships
The Chevening Scholarships pay for a one-year master's degree in the UK, and citizens of Cambodia are among those who can apply.[1] The awards are fully funded and go to people with leadership potential and a plan to make an impact at home.[2][3] Applications for the 2027 to 2028 cycle closed in October 2026.[1]
Sponsorship
Chevening is the UK government's international scholarship and fellowship program. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funds it together with partner organizations.[3] The program began in 1983, when Foreign Secretary Francis Pym announced it, and was first funded for only three years.[4] Its alumni network numbers more than 60,000 people.[5]
British embassies and high commissions draw up the shortlists and hold the interviews.[6] In 2013 the embassy announced that Prudential plc would sponsor more Chevening places for Cambodians.[7] Partner organizations also fund extra awards each year, and some of them go unfilled.[1]
Award and support
Each scholar studies a one-year taught master's course at a UK university of their choice.[8][5] The award pays tuition fees and a monthly stipend for housing and living costs, with the rate depending on whether the university is in London.[9] It also pays economy travel to and from the scholar's home country, the visa application, arrival and departure allowances, a travel top-up allowance and up to £75 for a tuberculosis test where the UK requires one.[9] Scholars take part in a program of events with other scholars, alumni, the FCDO and partner organizations.[9]
The scholarship program focuses on four shared priorities of the UK and the scholars' home countries: growth and prosperity, climate resilience, global security and stability, and more inclusive and effective societies.[3]
Eligibility
An applicant from Cambodia must be a Cambodian citizen and live in Cambodia or another country eligible for UK official development aid, and must show a clear intention to support Cambodia.[10] Each applicant promises to return to Cambodia for at least two years after the scholarship.[10]
Applicants need an undergraduate degree good enough for entry to a UK master's course, finished at least two years before the deadline.[10] They also need 2,800 hours of work after that degree, roughly two years of full-time work, gained over at least two years.[11] Full-time, part-time and volunteer work and internships all count, in up to 15 separate periods.[11] For the 2027 to 2028 cycle, that meant finishing the first degree by October 2024.[11]
Each applicant applies to three different eligible UK courses and by the program's offer deadline needs a firm, unconditional place on one or more of those courses.[10] A master's degree already earned does not rule out a second one.[10] There is no upper age limit.[8]
People who hold British citizenship cannot apply, nor can people who already studied in the UK on a UK government scholarship.[10] Current and recent staff of UK government departments, the British Council or partner UK universities, and their close relatives, are also ineligible.[10]
Application
Applications are made online through the Cambodia page of the Chevening website.[1][6] For the 2027 to 2028 cycle, applications opened in August 2026 and closed in October 2026 at 11:00 Coordinated Universal Time.[6] As of October 7, 2026, the Cambodia page showed applications as closed.[1]
After the deadline, eligible applications go to independent reading committees from mid-October 2026 to January 2027.[6] Shortlists follow in mid-February 2027, with interviews at British embassies in March and April 2027; each candidate uploads photo identification, degree certificates and reference letters at least seven working days before the interview.[6] Results follow from mid-June 2027, and successful candidates send in an unconditional university offer by 17:00 UK time on July 8, 2027.[6] Studies start in the UK in September or October 2027.[6]
Recipients
The British Embassy in Phnom Penh named three new Cambodian Chevening scholars in 2013.[7] Twelve Cambodians held the award in the 2023 to 2024 academic year.[12] On September 4, 2026, the British Embassy in Phnom Penh held a farewell reception for nine Chevening scholars about to start their 2026 to 2027 studies. Three holders of a separate UK scholarship for Southeast Asian women in science and technology joined them. Their fields ranged from public health and education to cybersecurity, environmental policy and financial technology.[13]
Recipients from Cambodia named by the program:
- Saknakosnak "Nak" Prum, a master of science in e-business management at the University of Warwick, co-funded by Prudential Cambodia[14]
- Rithiya Sreu, media management at the University of Westminster[15]
- Nora, a master's at the University of Bristol in business innovation and entrepreneurship (2024 to 2025)[16]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Chevening, Chevening in Cambodia
- ↑ Chevening, Chevening Scholarships
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Chevening, About us
- ↑ Chevening, Celebrating 40 years of Chevening
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Chevening, Our vision
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Chevening, Application timeline
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 GOV.UK, British Embassy Phnom Penh, Launch of the British Alumni Association of Cambodia (2013)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Chevening, Who can apply for a Chevening Scholarship?
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Chevening, What does a Chevening Scholarship cover?
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 Chevening, Chevening eligibility criteria
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Chevening, Work experience
- ↑ Royal Embassy of Cambodia in London, Ambassador Lay Samkol met a group of 7 Chevening scholars (2023)
- ↑ Cambodia Investment Review, British Embassy Sends 12 Cambodian Scholars to UK in Push for Skills Development (2026)
- ↑ Chevening, Chevening scholar inspires as volunteer and mentor (2025)
- ↑ Chevening, The Chevening scholar powering Southeast Asia's digital media transformation (2025)
- ↑ Chevening, Five application tips from a Chevening scholar at the University of Bristol (2025)