Chevening Scholarships
IELTS Requirement & Application Guide
- IELTS
- 6.5
- Components
- L 5.5 / R 5.5 / W 5.5 / S 5.5
- Level
- PG
- Deadline
- August 5 to October 7 (for 2026 cycle)
Last verified: 2026-03
About Chevening Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships are the UK government's flagship global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. They enable outstanding emerging leaders from around the world to pursue one-year master's degrees at any UK university. Recipients typically have at least two years of work experience and demonstrate leadership potential.
IELTS Required
| Overall | L | R | W | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
Accepts: Academic ✓ / General ✗
Also accepted: TOEFL iBT 79, PTE Academic 54
Tips for Meeting the Requirement
- 1Chevening requires IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 5.5. Focus on raising your weakest skill above 5.5 first, then work toward the 6.5 overall.
- 2You can submit a lower score initially and retake IELTS before the deadline — Chevening allows score updates during the application cycle.
- 3Practice Academic IELTS specifically, as General Training is not accepted. Focus on essay structure for Writing Task 2, which many Chevening applicants find challenging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What IELTS score do I need for Chevening scholarship?
Can I apply to Chevening with IELTS 6.0?
Does Chevening accept IELTS General Training?
Need Band 6.5? Find out where you stand.
Submit one essay. See your band score on all 4 criteria in 60 seconds. Know exactly what to fix before you apply.
Connect with scholarship winners
Our community includes students who successfully secured IELTS-requiring scholarships. Get real advice on applications and preparation.