Request for Applications: International Scholarships Programme (Laos)

Deadline: 06-Oct-26

The Chevening International Scholarships Programme supports exceptional future leaders from eligible countries and territories to pursue a fully funded master’s degree in the United Kingdom. The scholarship is designed for professionals who demonstrate leadership potential, have relevant work experience, and intend to contribute to their home or eligible country of award after completing their studies. What Is the Chevening International Scholarships Programme? Chevening is the UK government’s international scholarship programme for future leaders. It provides eligible applicants with the opportunity to study a one-year master’s degree at a UK university while developing professional networks, leadership skills, and international experience. The programme is intended for individuals who can demonstrate: - Leadership and influence. - Strong professional experience. - A clear vision for their future career. - The potential to create positive change in their home country or country of award. - A commitment to returning to that country after completing the scholarship. What Does the Chevening Scholarship Support? Chevening Scholarships provide financial support for eligible scholars undertaking a qualifying master’s degree in the UK. The programme is intended to enable talented professionals to focus on their studies while also participating in the wider Chevening network and UK academic and professional environment. Applicants should check the current scholarship guidance for the precise benefits, allowances, and funding arrangements applicable to their award. Who Is Eligible for a Chevening Scholarship? Applicants must satisfy all of the programme’s eligibility requirements.

Key requirements include:

- Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory. - If applying from an ODA-eligible country, be resident in an ODA-eligible country and demonstrate a clear intention to support that country of award. - Commit to returning to the country of award for at least two years after the scholarship ends. - Have at least two years of work experience acquired after completing an undergraduate degree, equivalent to 2,800 hours. - Hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies the applicant for admission to a UK master’s programme. - Have completed the undergraduate degree at least two years before the application deadline. - Apply to three different eligible UK university courses. - Obtain an unconditional offer from at least one selected course by the relevant deadline. The undergraduate degree certificate does not necessarily need to be available when the scholarship application is submitted, but it must be available by the interview stage. Work Experience Requirement Chevening applicants must have at least two years of work experience after completing their undergraduate degree. The programme defines this as at least 2,800 hours of work experience. Qualifying experience can be assessed according to the current Chevening rules, so applicants should carefully review the official guidance before submitting their application. UK University Course Requirement Applicants must apply to three different eligible UK master’s courses. The selected courses should meet Chevening’s eligibility requirements and must be suitable for the applicant’s academic and professional background. Applicants must ultimately receive an unconditional offer from at least one of their selected courses by the deadline stated in the scholarship application timeline. Who Is Not Eligible? Several categories of applicants are excluded from the Chevening Scholarship. Applicants are generally ineligible if they: - Hold British or dual British citizenship, subject to specific exceptions. - Are resident in the UK at the time of application, except where the rules allow residence in a British Overseas Territory. - Hold refugee status in a country that is not eligible for Chevening. - Have previously studied in the UK through a UK government-funded scholarship, subject to applicable exceptions. - Are employees, immediate relatives of employees, or certain former employees of specified UK government departments, the British Council, partner UK universities, or their wholly owned subsidiaries within the relevant exclusion period. - Are contracted to work on a British Council programme or project, or are qualifying relatives of such individuals. Citizens of an eligible country who hold refugee status in another eligible country may still be eligible. British or Dual British Citizens Individuals holding British or dual British citizenship are generally not eligible. Exceptions apply in certain circumstances, including: - Citizens of a British Overseas Territory. - Individuals holding British National (Overseas) status who are applying from Hong Kong. Applicants should check the current country-specific eligibility rules before applying. Previous UK Government-Funded Scholarships Applicants who have previously studied in the UK through a UK government-funded scholarship are generally not eligible for another Chevening Scholarship. An exception applies to individuals who previously received UK Government funding through a Chevening Fellowship. Such individuals may apply for a Chevening Scholarship once five years have passed since completing their fellowship. Having previously completed a master’s degree does not automatically prevent an applicant from applying for another master’s degree in the UK. Residence Requirements Applicants must meet Chevening’s residence requirements at the time of application. Individuals who are resident in the UK are generally not eligible, except for applicants covered by the rules relating to British Overseas Territories. Applicants from ODA-eligible countries must also meet the relevant residence and country-of-award requirements. Employment-Related Restrictions Chevening applies restrictions to certain employees and their relatives. Individuals may be ineligible if they are: - Current emp