Applications opened on Aug. 4 for Peruvian citizens seeking fully funded master's degree scholarships in the United Kingdom through the Chevening program. The application window runs through Oct. 6, 2026.
The program, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, covers 100 percent of postgraduate tuition and expenses. Between six and 10 Peruvians receive the scholarship each year, and more than 300 Peruvians have studied in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland since the program began, including at universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh.
Applicant requirements and selection timeline
Applicants must be Peruvian citizens with a university degree and at least two years of post-graduation work experience, representing roughly 2,800 hours. Candidates must apply to three eligible master's degree programs at UK universities and secure an unconditional offer from at least one within the specified deadlines.
Independent committees will evaluate applications through January 2027. Shortlisted candidates will be announced in mid-February 2027 for interviews conducted between March and April 2027, with final selection results published in June 2027.
Selected scholars must present an unconditional offer from a British university by July 8, 2027, before beginning their studies in September or October 2027. Maritza Choctaya, Chevening Officer at the British Embassy, said scholars must return to Peru for at least two years after completing their studies.
Academic fields and university funding
Although Chevening does not restrict funding to specific fields, Peruvian applicants frequently choose engineering, law, international relations, education, social sciences, public management, and sustainability. The British government expects growing UK demand by 2030 for specialists in artificial intelligence, energy transition, technological innovation, resilient infrastructure, critical minerals, energy security, scientific research, and sustainable development.
The scholarship covers full tuition, round-trip airfare between Peru and Great Britain, and a fixed monthly living stipend deposited into a UK debit account. Scholars must purchase insurance for their personal belongings against theft or accidental damage, while part-time work is permitted under student visa rules and British law.
Choctaya noted that without a scholarship, pursuing a master's degree in the UK can cost tens of thousands of pounds sterling in combined tuition and living costs. She added that several British universities will present their own scholarships, discounts, and postgraduate programs during British Week on Sept. 9.
Application mistakes and international agreements
Choctaya warned that a common application error is allocating insufficient time to write the four required essays. She stated that applicants lower their chances by failing to provide clear examples of leadership and influence, neglecting professional networking skills, or selecting programs that do not align with their career goals.
Underestimating English language proficiency requirements and delaying university admission preparation also hurt candidate prospects. Recipients join a global network of over 60,000 alumni, including 22 heads of state and government, and gain access to events and funding opportunities like the Chevening Alumni Programme Fund.
Academic exchanges are also supported by the Mutual Recognition of Degrees and Titles Treaty between Peru and the United Kingdom. Choctaya said the treaty reduces administrative procedures and clarifies degree validity in both educational systems for students pursuing international careers or research.
