The British Government’s Chevening Scholarship Programme provides grants to enable talented young professionals from over 150 countries worldwide to pursue their studies in the United Kingdom before returning home to apply their skills and experience.  The Programme is funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and administered by the British Council.

Since independence in 1980, the Chevening Programme has allowed  over 140 Zimbabwean students to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK.

We send approximately 10 Zimbabweans on Chevening scholarships every year.  The Programme includes the main FCO Chevening scholarship as well as awards funded jointly with partners like Canon Collins Trust and The Beit Trust.  Courses undertaken by this year’s scholars include International Human Rights Law, Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Public Health and Plant Genetics and Crops Improvement at Universities ranging from Bradford, Liverpool and Swansea to Essex, East Anglia and Reading.

There is also an active UK Alumni Association in Zimbabwe, where former Chevening scholars meet for social events or organise lectures and seminars.

Am I eligible for a Chevening scholarship?

Are you a potential leader wanting to make difference to the future of Zimbabwe?  An opportunity to study for a Masters Degree in the UK may help you to achieve that ambition.  If you are between the ages of 30 and 35 and you have:

• a good first degree or post-secondary qualification (preferably 2.1 or distinction)
• an outstanding record of professional achievement
• proven leadership skills

Then you may be just the person we are looking for!

The Chevening Programme is targeted at graduates with an outstanding record of achievement in their chosen field and proven leadership skills who want to:

• undertake between 3 and 12 months postgraduate study in the UK
• and become a leader in their chosen field, contributing to the economic and social development of Zimbabwe

Chevening is a highly competitive programme and only the strongest candidates are short-listed for interviews.  We are keen to improve the gender balance of the programme and strong applications from female candidates are encouraged.


The deadline for applications for the academic year 2009/10 has passed.  We will be advertising for applications for 2010/2011 in July 2009.

If you are interested in Chevening or have any questions about the awards or process, email us at general.enquiries@britishcouncil.org.zw.