Deadline: 06-Oct-2026
The Chevening Scholarship for Hong Kong offers outstanding professionals from Hong Kong SAR the opportunity to pursue a fully funded one-year taught master’s degree at a UK university. The programme seeks future leaders with strong leadership potential who intend to return to Hong Kong and use their skills to create positive social, economic, and community impact.
What Is the Chevening Scholarship?
The Chevening Scholarship is the UK Government’s flagship international scholarship programme.
Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations, Chevening supports talented professionals who demonstrate leadership potential, professional achievement, and a commitment to creating positive change.
For Hong Kong applicants, the scholarship provides an opportunity to study at a UK university while developing professional networks and leadership capabilities.
Why It Matters
The scholarship is designed not only to support postgraduate education but also to build long-term connections between the UK and future leaders around the world.
Scholars are encouraged to develop expertise and networks that can contribute to areas of shared interest, including:
- Climate action.
- Economic prosperity.
- Community development.
- International collaboration.
- Conflict recovery and resilience.
- Social and economic progress.
After completing their studies, scholars are expected to return to Hong Kong and contribute to their communities.
Scholarship Benefits
Chevening provides comprehensive financial support for successful scholars.
The scholarship covers:
- Full tuition fees for the eligible master’s programme.
- Living expenses during the study period.
- Travel costs to and from the UK.
- Additional allowances available under the scholarship programme.
This financial package enables successful candidates to focus on their postgraduate studies and professional development.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants from Hong Kong must satisfy the programme’s academic, professional, nationality, university application, and return requirements.
Key requirements include:
- Be a citizen of Hong Kong SAR.
- Hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies the applicant for a UK master’s programme.
- Have at least two years of work experience.
- Apply to three eligible UK university courses.
- Receive an unconditional offer from at least one eligible course by the specified deadline.
- Commit to returning to Hong Kong for at least two years after completing the scholarship.
Academic Requirements
Applicants must hold an undergraduate qualification that meets the entry requirements for their intended UK master’s programme.
The selected master’s courses should be relevant to the applicant’s academic background, professional experience, and future career ambitions.
Because individual UK universities establish their own admission requirements, applicants should check the requirements of each selected course before applying.
Work Experience Requirement
Applicants must have at least two years of work experience.
Professional experience is an important part of the Chevening selection process because the programme seeks candidates with the potential to become influential leaders and contributors in their communities.
Applicants should clearly present their professional experience and explain how it has shaped their leadership and career goals.
UK University Course Requirement
Applicants must apply to three eligible UK master’s courses.
The three courses should be carefully selected based on:
- Academic qualifications.
- Professional background.
- Career objectives.
- Subject relevance.
- Future contribution to Hong Kong.
Applicants must receive at least one unconditional offer from an eligible course by the specified deadline.
Return-to-Hong Kong Requirement
Successful scholars must commit to returning to Hong Kong for at least two years after completing their studies.
This requirement reflects Chevening’s objective of developing leaders who use their international education and experience to contribute to their home communities.
Applicants should therefore have a clear understanding of how their UK education will support their future professional and community impact.
Who Is Not Eligible?
Certain applicants are excluded under Chevening’s eligibility rules.
These include individuals who:
- Hold British citizenship, subject to the stated exception for British National (Overseas) status applicants from Hong Kong.
- Have previously received certain UK government-funded scholarships.
- Are employed by certain UK government entities or organisations covered by the programme’s restrictions.
Applicants should carefully review the current Chevening eligibility rules because additional restrictions and exceptions may apply.
How to Apply
The application process requires applicants to coordinate their scholarship application with UK university applications.
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Before applying, confirm that you:
- Are a citizen of Hong Kong SAR.
- Hold an eligible undergraduate degree.
- Have at least two years of work experience.
- Meet the relevant citizenship requirements.
- Can commit to returning to Hong Kong for two years.
Step 2: Research UK Master’s Courses
Identify three eligible taught master’s courses that closely match your academic and professional objectives.
Consider the course curriculum, university requirements, career relevance, and how the programme will support your long-term goals.
Step 3: Apply to Three Eligible Courses
Submit applications to three eligible UK university courses.
Begin this process early so that there is enough time to receive admissions decisions before the Chevening deadline.
Step 4: Secure an Unconditional Offer
Applicants must obtain an unconditional offer from at least one eligible course by the specified deadline.
Step 5: Prepare the Chevening Application
Present a clear case for your candidacy by explaining:
- Your professional experience.
- Leadership potential.
- Career ambitions.
- Reasons for choosing your courses.
- How your studies will contribute to Hong Kong.
- Your plans after returning home.
Step 6: Demonstrate Future Impact
Explain how the knowledge, skills, and professional networks gained in the UK will help you create meaningful change after returning to Hong Kong.
Step 7: Submit the Application
Review all information carefully and submit the completed application before the official deadline.
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants can improve their applications by:
- Starting UK university applications early.
- Selecting courses that clearly connect with their career goals.
- Providing specific examples of leadership and professional achievements.
- Explaining measurable contributions to their community or organisation.
- Clearly connecting their proposed studies with future impact in Hong Kong.
- Developing a realistic post-study career plan.
- Checking all eligibility requirements carefully.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Applying to fewer than three eligible courses.
- Choosing courses that have little connection with their career plans.
- Waiting too long to submit university applications.
- Failing to obtain an unconditional offer by the required deadline.
- Providing vague examples of leadership.
- Giving insufficient evidence of professional experience.
- Ignoring the two-year return requirement.
- Overlooking citizenship or previous-scholarship restrictions.
- Submitting incomplete or inaccurate information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chevening Scholarship for Hong Kong?
It is a fully funded UK Government scholarship that enables eligible Hong Kong SAR applicants to pursue a one-year taught master’s degree at a UK university.
What does the Chevening Scholarship cover?
The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel to and from the UK, and additional eligible allowances.
How much work experience is required?
Applicants must have at least two years of work experience.
How many UK courses must applicants apply to?
Applicants must apply to three eligible UK master’s courses and receive at least one unconditional offer by the specified deadline.
Do scholars have to return to Hong Kong?
Yes. Successful scholars must commit to returning to Hong Kong for at least two years after completing their studies.
Can British citizens from Hong Kong apply?
British citizenship generally makes an applicant ineligible, although the stated rules include an exception for applicants holding British National (Overseas) status from Hong Kong.
Can applicants who previously received a UK government-funded scholarship apply?
Applicants with certain previous UK government-funded scholarships are not eligible. Candidates should check the current Chevening rules to determine whether their previous funding falls under the restriction.
Conclusion
The Chevening Scholarship for Hong Kong provides a fully funded pathway for eligible Hong Kong SAR professionals to pursue a one-year taught master’s degree in the UK while developing leadership skills, international networks, and professional expertise.
The key requirements include Hong Kong SAR citizenship, a qualifying undergraduate degree, at least two years of work experience, applications to three eligible UK courses, and at least one unconditional offer by the required deadline. Successful scholars must also return to Hong Kong for at least two years and use their experience to contribute to their communities and wider development.
For more information, visit Chevening.
