A fully funded master's degree at a top UK university is not a distant dream. It is a specific, achievable goal , and thousands of Syrian students are more prepared for it than they realize.
The Chevening Scholarship is the UK government's flagship international scholarship. Launched in 1983, it covers tuition fees, monthly stipends, travel costs, and additional allowances. Each year, around 1,500 scholars from over 160 countries and territories are selected based on their leadership potential, academic excellence, and commitment to positive change in their home countries.
Syria is an eligible country. Syrian nationals , whether living inside Syria, in Lebanon, in Jordan, in Europe, or anywhere else , can apply. For scholars from Syria, applications to return to third countries may be considered in exceptional circumstances if returning to the home country is impossible due to conflict. This means displacement does not disqualify you. It is simply one more factor the British Embassy takes into account.
We have watched Syrian students win Chevening. We have also watched talented students lose it , not because they lacked ability, but because they did not understand what the selection panel was actually looking for. This guide changes that.
Key Insights
- Chevening is fully funded: tuition, flights, visa fees, and a monthly living stipend , all covered
- Syrian nationals are eligible to apply regardless of where they currently live
- Two years of work experience is the most commonly missed requirement
- Four essays are the heart of the application , and most applicants underinvest in them
- Jusoor's Open Call Scholarship can bridge the funding gap if Chevening does not cover every expense
What the Chevening Scholarship Offers
Chevening removes every major financial barrier to studying in the UK. It covers tuition fees, a round-trip economy flight between your home country and the UK, visa application fees, an arrival and departure allowance, and a monthly living stipend.
Here is what that looks like in practice:
- Full tuition fees: paid directly to your UK university, with no cap on subject area
- Monthly living stipend: approximately £1,516 per month in London, or £1,215 per month outside London
- Return economy airfare: from your country of residence to the UK and back
- Visa fees: covered in full
- Arrival and departure allowance: to help with the cost of relocating
- One year of study: at any eligible UK university, in any subject area that qualifies
Scholars graduate not only with a master's degree but also with a powerful international network, lifelong friendships, and a renewed sense of purpose. The Chevening alumni community now spans more than 55,000 people in 160 countries , a professional network that opens doors long after graduation.
To explore which UK universities and degree programs are eligible, visit chevening.org and use the official course search tool.
Who Can Apply: Eligibility at a Glance
This is the section that determines whether you should begin your application now or spend the next year preparing. Read every point carefully.
To be eligible for Chevening, you must:
- Hold Syrian nationality or citizenship of any other Chevening-eligible country or territory
- Have completed an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK upper second-class (2:1) or above
- Have at least 2,800 hours of work experience after your undergraduate degree , roughly two years of full-time work; part-time, voluntary, and internship hours all count if documented
- Apply to three different and eligible UK university courses and have received an unconditional offer from at least one by the offer deadline
- Meet the English language requirement , most applicants use IELTS with a minimum overall score of 6.5, with no band below 5.5
- Commit to returning to your home country , or country of residence in exceptional circumstances , for at least two years after your scholarship ends
- Not hold UK citizenship or dual UK nationality
The work experience requirement disqualifies many first-time applicants. If you graduated recently and have fewer than 2,800 documented hours, spend this year building that record. Civic work, NGO volunteering, and part-time employment all contribute , keep records now.
There is no upper age limit. Chevening actively welcomes mid-career applicants and mature students. Syrians who have spent years navigating displacement, building businesses, or contributing to their communities often bring exactly the kind of leadership story Chevening selects for.
The Application: Four Essays That Decide Everything
The Chevening application is built around four essays. These are not formalities , they are the core of the selection process. British Embassy panels read thousands of applications. Your essays are your voice. Here is what each one requires:
- Leadership and influence: Describe a situation where you led others or influenced a decision. Be specific. Name the outcome. Chevening is not selecting academics , it is selecting leaders.
- Networking: Explain how you have built and used professional relationships. Think beyond social media followers. Think about mentors found, coalitions built, and collaborations created.
- Studying in the UK: Why this country, this university, this program , and why now? Connect your chosen course directly to the work you plan to do when you return home.
- Career plan: Describe where you will be in ten years. Make it specific and make it connected to your country or community. Vague ambition does not score well.
Each essay has a word limit , approximately 500 words per essay. Every word must earn its place.
When Chevening Is Not Enough: How Jusoor Fills the Gap
Chevening is generous , but no scholarship covers every cost. Travel costs from certain countries, visa complications, short-term accommodation gaps, and unexpected expenses can create a real barrier even after a scholarship is awarded.
This is exactly the gap our Open Call Scholarship was designed to bridge. The Jusoor Open Call Scholarship provides supplementary funding for Syrian students who have already secured a scholarship from a university or third party , such as Chevening , but cannot cover essential remaining costs such as travel and visa fees.
To be eligible for the Open Call Scholarship, students must:
- Be Syrian nationals (or Palestinians from Syria)
- Have secured admission to a top-ranked UK university , specifically within the top 50 in the UK according to Times Higher Education rankings
- Have already received full tuition or full living expenses from a third party, such as Chevening
- Demonstrate a documented funding gap for travel or visa costs
Nineteen scholars have benefited from the Open Call Scholarship to date, studying at some of the most respected institutions in the UK, the United States, and Canada.
Iehab Kahwati, a Jusoor alumnus, described the experience this way: "Becoming a Jusoor alumni means a lot to me, and I am excited about the journey ahead. I am eager to explore opportunities for giving back to Syria. Whether it is through mentoring, fundraising, or any other means, I am ready to contribute to the cause."
Beyond the Open Call, our broader Scholarships Program supports Syrian students at every stage , from high school stage through to graduate study in the UK, North America, and Europe. We are the leading organization globally supporting Syrian access to higher education, and we have been doing this work since 2011.
To stay informed about open scholarship windows, subscribe to our newsletter at jusoor.ngo/scholarships. We post both Jusoor and non-Jusoor opportunities as they become available.
How You Can Help as a Donor
If you are a Syrian student: Start your Chevening preparation today, even if the next application window is months away. Draft your four essays. Document your work experience hours. Ask two referees now , before you need them under pressure. And visit jusoor.ngo/scholarships to explore supplementary funding options that can remove the last financial barriers between you and a UK degree.
If you are a donor or supporter: Every Open Call scholarship we award costs roughly $3,000–$5,000 , the difference between a Syrian student who reaches the UK and one who does not, despite having won a competitive scholarship. Your support directly funds those final miles. Visit jusoor.ngo/donate to contribute to a scholar's journey today.
We also welcome university partners, employers, and organizations who want to help expand this pipeline. Reach out to us at fundraising@jusoor.ngo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Syrian national apply for the Chevening Scholarship?
Yes. Syria is a Chevening-eligible country. Syrian nationals living anywhere , inside Syria, in Lebanon, in Jordan, in Europe, or elsewhere , can apply. Chevening's official guidance notes that Syrian scholars may apply to return to a third country after their studies in exceptional circumstances where returning to Syria is not possible due to the ongoing conflict.
What does the Chevening Scholarship cover?
The Chevening Scholarship is fully funded. It covers tuition fees, return economy airfare, visa application fees, an arrival and departure allowance, and a monthly living stipend. No subject area is excluded, and scholars may study at any eligible UK university.
What is the minimum work experience required for Chevening?
Applicants must have completed at least 2,800 hours of work experience after graduating from their undergraduate degree. This is roughly equivalent to two years of full-time work. Part-time roles, voluntary work, and internships all count, provided they can be documented.
How competitive is the Chevening Scholarship?
Chevening is highly competitive. Approximately 60,000 people apply each year, and around 1,500 scholarships are awarded , a global acceptance rate of roughly 2–3%. Competition varies by country. Syrians who can demonstrate strong leadership, a clear career plan, and a commitment to contributing to Syria's reconstruction tend to present compelling applications.
What are the four Chevening essays about?
Applicants write four essays covering: leadership and influence, networking, their reasons for choosing to study in the UK, and their long-term career plan. Each essay has a word limit of approximately 500 words. These essays are the primary basis on which British Embassy panels make their selections.
When does the Chevening application open?
The Chevening application cycle typically opens in August each year and closes in early October. The 2026–2027 intake application window has now closed. The next cycle , for the 2027–2028 academic year , is expected to open in August 2026. Visit chevening.org to register for notifications.
Does Jusoor help Syrian students apply for Chevening?
Jusoor does not manage the Chevening application directly , that is handled through the official Chevening portal and the British Embassy in each country. However, Jusoor's Open Call Scholarship can provide supplementary funding for Syrian students who win Chevening but face a remaining gap in travel or visa costs. Jusoor also publishes scholarship opportunities and provides university application guidance through its mentorship program.
What is Jusoor's Open Call Scholarship, and can I apply if I already have Chevening?
The Jusoor Open Call Scholarship is designed exactly for this situation. It supports Syrian students who have already secured a scholarship , such as Chevening , but still face a gap in travel or visa costs. Eligible students must be admitted to a top-50 UK university according to Times Higher Education rankings. Visit jusoor.ngo/scholarships to learn when the next application window opens.
Do I have to return to Syria after Chevening?
Chevening requires all scholars to remain outside the UK for at least two years after their scholarship ends. For Syrian scholars, the official Chevening guidance notes that returning to a third country may be considered in exceptional circumstances where return to Syria is not possible. This requirement exists because Chevening is designed to build leadership capacity in scholars' home countries , not to serve as an immigration pathway.
Where can I find other scholarships if I do not qualify for Chevening this year?
Jusoor's newsletter and social media channels regularly feature both Jusoor and non-Jusoor scholarship opportunities for Syrian students. You can also explore IIE Peer at iiepeer.org/opportunities and the Marj3 platform at marj3.com. Subscribe to our newsletter at jusoor.ngo/scholarships so you never miss an opening.
