Chevening Scholarships Open for Cuban Students Wishing to Study in the UK Until October 6

The Chevening program, a leading international scholarship initiative by the British government, is currently accepting applications from Cuban professionals seeking fully funded master's degree opportunities in the United Kingdom for the academic year 2027-2028.

Applicants have until October 6, 2026, at 11:00 UTC, to submit their applications through Chevening's official portal for Cuba.

This scholarship covers the full tuition fees for a one-year master’s program, offers a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare between Cuba and the UK, and additional support for study-related expenses.

Key eligibility criteria include being a Cuban citizen, holding a university degree that qualifies them for postgraduate studies in the UK, and having at least 2,800 hours of work experience, roughly equivalent to two years of full-time employment, acquired after completing their undergraduate studies.

Aspirants must also apply to three eligible master's programs and secure at least one unconditional offer by the deadline set by Chevening.

An important condition is that selected scholars must return to Cuba for a minimum of two years after completing their scholarship.

The selection process evaluates, among other factors, the candidate's professional background, leadership potential, and personal objectives. Chevening also offers jointly funded scholarships with partner organizations, known as “partner awards.”

Established in 1983 and managed by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the program boasts a network of over 60,000 alumni across more than 160 countries. Over 120 Cuban professionals have studied in the UK through this initiative.

Recently, a new cohort of Cuban scholars concluded their Chevening scholarships. The British Embassy in Havana reported on July 8 that the scholars from the 2025-2026 cohort participated in a farewell ceremony in London after completing their master's studies. The embassy noted that some were still finalizing their academic requirements before returning to Cuba.

The scholarship application remains open despite the recent cooling of relations between London and Havana. In June, the British government paused the ratification of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement signed with the Cuban regime due to concerns over the humanitarian and human rights situation on the island.

Chevening continues to offer a valuable opportunity for Cuban professionals interested in pursuing postgraduate studies in the UK with full financial support, though those selected must fulfill the requirement to return to Cuba for at least two years post-graduation.