Travel to the UK
Everything you need to know about travelling to the UK at the start of your Chevening year.
If your Chevening Award covers the cost of a return flight to the UK, this will be confirmed in your Final Award Letter (FAL).
Soon after receiving your award letter, your Programme Officer will share step-by-step guidance on booking your flight and provide you with the contact details of our designated travel agency, so that you can arrange your flights directly with them. They will then book your flight according to our travel policy and invoice the Chevening Secretariat so you do not have to make a payment yourself.
Find everything you need to know about travelling to the UK ahead of your Chevening year by clicking on the expanding arrows on this page or by visiting our travel FAQs.
Chevening will meet the cost of air travel from the nearest airport in your home country to the nearest airport to your university, where possible and practical. The Chevening Secretariat’s designated travel agent will book the ticket on your behalf according to the following terms and conditions:
- Economy class travel only
- One way travel only
- Nearest airport in home country to nearest airport in UK (no requests for stopovers in other countries will be granted)
- Most economical route available
- A reputable airline under these conditions
- Travel for any dependents will not be paid for by the Secretariat but can still be booked through our travel agency. You would need to pay for their travel directly with our travel agency.
Your Programme Officer will share further details in the email they send to you when it’s time to book your flight.
The baggage allowance will vary between airlines. Your booking confirmation will confirm the baggage allowance included in your ticket.
If you require additional/excess baggage, you will need to pay and arrange this directly with the airline. Your Final Award Letter will confirm if you will be paid an arrival allowance, which you can use towards this cost if you wish.
The Secretariat does not provide travel insurance for scholars. You are advised to take out travel insurance for your journey as neither our travel agent nor the Secretariat can take responsibility for your baggage or onward travel.
If there is an issue with your flight while you are travelling, please contact our travel agency directly using the telephone number noted on your ticket as they are best placed to assist you. Your Chevening Programme Officer is only available during office hours whereas the travel agency operates a 24-hour emergency telephone line.
Please do not contact your Chevening Officer in your home country, as they will not be able to help.
Scholars typically arrive in the UK one or two weeks prior to their scheduled course start date. You must not arrive in the UK before the start date on your student visa. When planning your travel, consider your course start date, accommodation start date, and your visa start date. Your first Chevening payment is automatically calculated from your course date and not your UK arrival date. Check your FAL to see your course/scholarship start date.
When you arrive at the airport in the UK, you will go through immigration control, before collecting your luggage. Please ensure that you have the following documents in your hand luggage, as you will need to show them at immigration control:
- your passport
- your visa
- your Final Award Letter
There will normally be a specific queue for nationals of countries that are outside the European Economic Area.
Many universities also have a ‘meet and greet’ service where you can be met at the airport or the local train station. The university will give you details about any service that they run. Otherwise, they will be able to give you detailed guidance on how to travel to your campus or other final destination. Apps such as Google Maps and Citymapper are also good tools to show you the best way to reach your destination.
What to expect at the airport is explained in further detail on the UK government border control website.
A sum of GBP 200 is recommended for your first few days in the UK to meet any immediate expenses.
For scholars whose Chevening Scholarship includes stipend and allowance payments, this will be confirmed in your Final Award Letter. If this is the case, you will have received a cash card prior to your arrival in the UK. The following payments will be credited to the card:
- Stipend (living allowance) for the period from the start date of your award until 31 October
- Arrival allowance (amount confirmed in Final Award Letter)
- Travel top-up allowance for mandatory events (non-London scholars)
Note: Your stipend is calculated from your course start date and not the date you arrive in the UK.
Read more about stipend payments and planning your finances in the UK.
We wish you a pleasant journey to the UK and an excellent start to your Chevening year!
