LONDON — The UK has suspended its prestigious Chevening scholarships for Afghan students for the academic years 2025 and 2026, citing ongoing eligibility reviews and the challenging situation in Afghanistan.
“Applications for the 2025/2026 academic year are currently closed. Eligibility for this year’s programme is still under review. Please monitor this page for updates,” the Chevening Afghanistan website announced.
The suspension marks a further tightening of restrictions on Afghan applicants. Since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, the Chevening program had only accepted applications from Afghan citizens residing outside Afghanistan. This year’s decision halts applications entirely, leaving Afghan students without access to one of the UK’s most coveted scholarship opportunities.
Chevening is the UK Government’s flagship international scholarship program, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organizations. It provides fully funded scholarships for a one-year master’s degree at a UK university, aiming to develop global leaders and forge lasting relationships between the UK and future leaders from around the world.
BBC Farsi also confirmed the news, reporting that the scholarships have been suspended.
The suspension of applications for Afghan students underscores the continued uncertainty and disruption facing Afghanistan’s academic community under Taliban rule, and the broader challenges Afghan nationals face in accessing international educational opportunities.
