A valid relationship
They must explain how long and in what capacity they have known you, and when regular contact last occurred.
Who Can Be a Chevening Referee?
Test one proposed academic or professional referee against the relationship, first-hand evidence, authorship and language issues that matter. Then compare a second person before you decide.
Free quick suitability check
Test one proposed referee
No login, names or personal story required. Answers are evaluated in this browser and are not a prediction of selection.
What every proposed referee should be able to establish
First-hand evidence
Specific observations about leadership, relationship-building, personal qualities and academic ability are more useful than praise.
Independent authorship
You may share accurate reminders, but the referee—not the applicant—must write the reference.
Frequently asked questions
Who can be a Chevening referee?
Chevening permits professional or academic referees, and its guidance also refers to people who know you in a professional or personal capacity. A referee must not be a friend or relative and needs a credible basis for commenting on you.
Can a former employer be my Chevening referee?
Yes. A referee does not need to be your current employer. What matters is the relationship, when regular contact occurred, and whether the person can provide relevant first-hand evidence.
Can I use two academic or two professional referees?
Yes. Chevening says you may use two professional referees, two academic referees, or one of each.
Can I write my own Chevening reference for someone to sign?
No. Chevening states that applicants must not write their own reference. You may organise accurate factual reminders, but the referee must author the reference independently.
Does a Chevening reference need letterhead or a handwritten signature?
No. Current Chevening references guidance says letterhead and a handwritten signature are not required.
Does this checker guarantee that Chevening will accept my referee?
No. It is an independent educational check based on current public guidance. Follow the instructions in your own application and verify any updated rules on the official Chevening website.
Verify the current rules
This independent CheveningPrep tool was checked against Chevening's public references guidance on 13 July 2026. It cannot approve a referee or predict a scholarship decision. Requirements and submission instructions can change.