Mogadishu (Dawan Africa) - The British Embassy in Somalia has announced through a press release that applications for the 2025/26 Chevening Scholarships are now officially open. The application window will run from August 5 to October 7, 2025, offering Somali nationals and other eligible candidates the opportunity to pursue fully funded master's degrees at universities across the United Kingdom.
Chevening, the UK Government’s global scholarship programme, has operated for over four decades, with more than 100 Somali scholars having previously taken part. The programme is designed to support individuals with strong academic and leadership potential, who can demonstrate the ability to influence positive change in their communities.
In the press statement, British Ambassador to Somalia Charles King highlighted the depth of talent in Somalia:
“Somalia has an incredible pool of talented young people eager to create change in their communities. I’m continually inspired by the dedication and drive of the Chevening community, and I look forward to seeing what the next generation of Somali leaders will bring.”
Applicants are required to provide evidence-based examples of their leadership qualities, networking skills, and future career plans. The selection process is highly competitive, with thousands of applications received annually from around the world.
In a notable development, Somali financial institutions have pledged support for the next cohort of scholars. Premier Bank will sponsor one Somali candidate for the 2025/26 academic year, and the Hormuud Salaam Foundation will support two candidates per year from 2025/26 through 2027/28. These sponsorships are specifically directed toward finance-related master's programs.
According to the press release, such partnerships reflect a growing interest in private-sector investment in leadership development and higher education for Somali youth.
Since its establishment in 1983, the Chevening programme has supported more than 60,000 professionals globally and is widely regarded as one of the UK’s most prominent soft diplomacy tools.
