Deadline: 06-Oct-2026
The Chevening Scholarship for Ireland supports outstanding Irish professionals to pursue a fully funded one-year taught master’s degree at any eligible UK university. The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel and additional essential-cost grants, while selected scholars are expected to return to Ireland for at least two years after completing their studies.
What Is the Chevening Scholarship?
Chevening is the UK Government’s flagship international scholarship programme for future leaders, influencers and decision-makers.
The Ireland scholarship pathway is designed for outstanding Irish citizens who demonstrate:
- Leadership potential
- Professional experience
- A commitment to positive change
- The potential to contribute to Ireland after returning from the UK
Recipients can study a one-year taught master’s degree at a UK university while developing professional networks and leadership skills.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
Chevening provides comprehensive financial support for successful scholars.
The scholarship package includes:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly living allowance
- Travel costs to and from the UK
- Additional grants for essential expenditure
This makes the programme a fully funded UK master’s scholarship for eligible Irish applicants.
What Subjects Can Scholars Study?
Applicants can pursue a master’s degree in a subject offered by an eligible UK university, provided they meet the relevant academic and course requirements.
The programme is particularly relevant to candidates whose professional goals contribute to shared priorities such as:
- Climate action
- Economic prosperity
- Conflict recovery
- Leadership and public service
- International cooperation
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must meet the core Chevening eligibility requirements.
They must:
- Be a citizen of Ireland.
- Hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies them for admission to a UK master’s programme.
- Have at least two years of work experience.
- Demonstrate leadership potential.
- Show a commitment to contributing to Ireland’s development.
- Commit to returning to Ireland for at least two years after the scholarship ends.
Applicants must also satisfy the admission requirements of their chosen UK university and master’s course.
Why Does the Chevening Scholarship Matter?
The programme is designed to develop professionals who can create positive change after returning home.
For Irish applicants, the scholarship provides an opportunity to:
- Gain a postgraduate qualification from a UK university.
- Develop leadership and professional skills.
- Build international networks.
- Engage with other future leaders.
- Gain exposure to new ideas and approaches.
- Apply their UK learning to challenges and opportunities in Ireland.
The return requirement also ensures that scholars are expected to use their experience and knowledge to contribute to their home country.
How to Apply
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Confirm that you are an Irish citizen and meet the academic, professional experience and return-to-Ireland requirements.
Step 2: Choose Your Master’s Courses
Research eligible one-year taught master’s programmes at UK universities.
Choose courses that are closely connected to your professional experience, career goals and intended contribution to Ireland.
Step 3: Prepare Your Application
Develop a strong application demonstrating:
- Leadership experience or potential
- Professional achievements
- Career objectives
- Reasons for studying in the UK
- How the degree will support your future impact
- Your commitment to returning to Ireland
Step 4: Apply to UK Universities
Applicants should also follow the admission process for their selected UK master’s programmes.
Meeting Chevening requirements does not automatically guarantee admission to a university course.
Step 5: Demonstrate Your Future Impact
Clearly explain how your UK education, professional experience and leadership ambitions can contribute to Ireland after your return.
Step 6: Complete the Chevening Application
Submit the scholarship application and all required information within the official application period.
Applicants should carefully review the current Chevening requirements before submitting.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Show leadership with evidence: Give concrete examples of situations where you influenced people, projects or outcomes.
- Connect your career goals to Ireland: Explain what you intend to achieve after returning home.
- Choose relevant courses: Your selected master’s programmes should support your professional direction.
- Demonstrate impact: Focus on measurable achievements rather than simply listing responsibilities.
- Explain your motivation: Clearly state why studying in the UK is important for your development.
- Highlight professional experience: Connect your previous work to your future goals.
- Respect the return requirement: Make your plans for contributing to Ireland clear and credible.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Applying without meeting the minimum work-experience requirement.
- Choosing courses that do not support their career objectives.
- Providing generic examples of leadership.
- Focusing only on academic benefits without explaining future impact.
- Failing to demonstrate a clear connection to Ireland.
- Treating the scholarship as simply a source of financial support.
- Ignoring the requirement to return to Ireland for at least two years after the scholarship.
Key Scholarship Details
- Scholarship: Chevening Scholarship
- Applicant country: Ireland
- Study destination: United Kingdom
- Study level: Master’s degree
- Programme duration: One year
- Course type: Taught master’s
- Funding: Fully funded
- Tuition: Covered
- Living costs: Monthly allowance provided
- Travel: Travel costs covered
- Work experience: At least two years
- Return requirement: At least two years in Ireland after the scholarship
- Target applicants: Outstanding professionals and future leaders
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Chevening Scholarship from Ireland?
The programme is open to eligible Irish citizens who meet the academic, work-experience, leadership and return-to-Ireland requirements.
Is the Chevening Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The scholarship provides funding for tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, travel costs and additional grants for essential expenditure.
How long is the master’s degree?
Chevening supports a one-year taught master’s degree at an eligible UK university.
How much work experience is required?
Applicants must have at least two years of work experience to meet the stated eligibility requirement.
Can I study any subject?
Applicants can select eligible master’s courses offered by UK universities, provided they meet both Chevening and university-specific requirements.
Do Chevening scholars have to return to Ireland?
Yes. Successful Irish scholars must commit to returning to Ireland for at least two years after the scholarship ends.
What qualities does Chevening look for?
The programme is aimed at individuals with leadership potential, professional experience and a commitment to creating positive change. Strong applications should demonstrate achievements, clear career goals and the ability to contribute to Ireland.
Conclusion
The Chevening Scholarship for Ireland offers Irish professionals the opportunity to complete a fully funded one-year master’s degree in the UK while developing leadership skills and international connections. Candidates should focus on demonstrating leadership potential, relevant professional experience, clear career ambitions and a credible plan to use their UK education to contribute to Ireland after returning home.
For more information, visit Chevening.