UK Reopens Chevening Scholarships for Afghanistan

The Chevening Scholarship for Afghanistan has reopened, according to a statement from the British government. Afghan students can now apply for a 2023/2024 Chevening Scholarship.

According to a statement from the Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office (FCDO) of the British government, the Chevening Scholarship for Afghan students has reopened after Afghanistan was made ineligible for the program.

According to the statement, the Chevening and the UK government are dedicated to the security of those living in Afghanistan. Afghan students are now eligible for the program after the FCDO evaluated whether it would be viable to offer the scholarship to eligible students.

FCDO, however, stated that only Afghan students from outside of Afghanistan may apply, maintaining that potential applicants who are currently residing in Afghanistan would face significant security threats, as well as financial and logistical implications.

Afghan students may apply for the academic year 2023–2024, but the decision, according to the FCDO will be kept under evaluation for 2024–2025.

Chevening is a highly competitive government program that provides future leaders from more than 160 countries with the opportunity to earn a master’s degree for free in the UK.

Afghan Chevening alumni have previously urged the UK government to declare Afghanistan eligible for the program and reopen the program for Afghan students.

They claimed that it was “devastating” that Afghans were left out of the scholarship program.

This comes as the Chevening Scholarship program closed for Afghan students as the Taliban took over the country following the withdrawal of foreign troops.