The Chevening program is a prestigious international scholarships and fellowships initiative offered by the UK government. With the aim of cultivating and empowering future leaders who have the potential to catalyze positive change, the program provides selected individuals with the education, network, and support necessary to bring their innovative ideas to fruition. Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) and its partner organizations, the program enables recipients to pursue a UK educational qualification in almost any field of study. Upon completion of their studies, Chevening Scholars return to their home countries to join a global network of more than 50,000 alumni, where they continue to implement their ideas and contribute to their communities. The program’s benefits extend far beyond the duration of the scholarship, as it fosters a lifelong community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact in the world. For more information on the opportunities and advantages of the Chevening program, continue reading.
What is Chevening Scholarship?
Chevening Scholarships are prestigious awards offered by the UK government to outstanding individuals who demonstrate leadership potential and academic excellence. The scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs associated with studying in the UK. Chevening Scholarships were first established in 1983 and have since supported over 50,000 scholars from around the world. The program is named after Chevening House in Kent, England, which was once the residence of the UK Prime Minister.
Chevening Scholars gain access to a range of exclusive opportunities, including academic and professional development, cultural exchange, and networking with alumni and other scholars.
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Eligibility Criteria
- Chevening Scholarships are open to citizens of over 160 countries and territories around the world. Applicants must also meet residency requirements and be able to return to their home country upon completion of the program.
- Applicants must have an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification and meet the academic requirements of their chosen course of study in the UK.
- Chevening Scholars must be proficient in English, which is the language of instruction for most courses in the UK. Applicants are required to demonstrate their language skills by taking an approved language test.
- Work experience requirements: Chevening Scholars are expected to have at least two years of work experience in a relevant field at the time of application.
- Other important eligibility criteria: Applicants must also meet additional requirements related to their character, leadership potential, and commitment to making a positive impact in their home country.
Application Process of Chevening Scholarship 2023
The application process for Chevening Scholarships typically opens in August and closes in November each year. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible to allow sufficient time for processing and review.
Applicants must submit a range of documents and information as part of their application, including academic transcripts, language test scores, and a personal statement.
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What do you get as a Chevening Scholar?
- Full coverage of tuition fees and living expenses: Chevening Scholars receive full funding for their tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs associated with studying in the UK.
- Travel to and from the UK: Scholars also receive a travel allowance to cover the cost of their travel to and from the UK.
- Access to a network of scholars and alumni: Chevening Scholars gain access to a diverse network of scholars and alumni from around the world, which provides opportunities for collaboration, learning, and career development.
- Professional development and cultural exchange opportunities: Scholars participate in a range of activities and events designed to enhance their professional skills and cultural awareness, including seminars, workshops, and social events.
- Career prospects and opportunities after the program: Many Chevening Scholars go on to achieve significant success in their careers and make a positive impact in their home countries, thanks to the skills, knowledge, and connections gained through the program.
How to Prepare Your Application for Chevening Scholarship 2023-24
To ensure that you are well-prepared to excel in the Chevening application process, follow these steps prior to the opening of applications on August 2023:
- Reflect on your proudest accomplishment to date. Consider a situation where you overcame a challenge or forged new relationships to achieve something positive. Choose an achievement that enabled you to develop skills that are essential for accomplishing your long-term goals to effect positive change in your home country. It is important to be able to describe the achievement in detail, including what you did, how you approached it, and what the outcome was. Remember that providing detailed examples will have a greater impact than simply listing your accomplishments.
- Develop a realistic plan for where you see yourself in 2, 5, and 10 years. We understand that life can be unpredictable, but we want to see that you have put serious thought into how you will achieve your dreams. Think about the logical steps you will need to take to achieve your goals in the future. Show us how determined you are to achieve your aspirations.
- Consider how a Chevening Scholarship can help you achieve your objectives. Why have you decided to apply for a Chevening Scholarship? What do you hope to gain by joining our global community? Don’t be afraid to dream big and think about how a postgraduate degree could act as a stepping stone to progress your career and make an impact in your life and the lives of others.
By following these steps, you will be ready to apply for a Chevening Scholarship when applications open on 2 August. We wish you the best of luck!
Top Tips for Application to Chevening Scholarships 2023-24
Here are eight general tips:
- Check your grammar, ensure your sentences are coherent, and double-check the spelling of words and institution names.
- Use relevant examples from your personal experiences to answer the essay questions. Simply stating that you have the necessary skills is insufficient. We need to hear about how you have utilized your skills to accomplish something positive.
- Whenever possible, concentrate on examples from your volunteering or employment experiences, rather than school or university.
- Use “I” rather than “we” when describing your personal achievements.
- Avoid using bullet points to outline job responsibilities or future plans in your answers. We want to learn as much as possible about your goals, so write in full sentences and share your stories with us!
- Assessors can recognize when responses are copied and pasted from a CV, personal statement, or reference letter. Ensure that you tailor your answers to the question.
- To be considered an outstanding applicant, you must clearly connect your chosen course of study to your prior experiences and future vision.
- All Chevening applicants must demonstrate leadership, influencing, and relationship-building skills, as well as a clear understanding of how studying at a UK university will help them achieve their career objectives.
How to demonstrate your leadership and influencing abilities?
Share an example of how you worked alone or with others to achieve something positive, while also highlighting your individual contribution. Focusing on sharing one or two detailed examples is much more impactful than listing numerous examples. Emphasize how you have shaped the opinions and actions of those around you. Avoid using leadership quotes or definitions. Instead, focus your response on your own personal experiences with leadership.
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How to demonstrate your relationship-building skills?
Provide examples of how you built new relationships while volunteering or working, as well as how you maintain them and use them to help you achieve your objectives. Give careful consideration to how you intend to use the Chevening network, or other networks, to achieve your future career objectives. Share your thoughts on how you and your work will contribute to the Chevening Alumni network.
How to answer the question “why do you want to study in the UK”?
Explain why you chose your courses. What do you hope to gain from studying those specific courses? How would they benefit your career and development? Referring to professors you’d particularly like to meet, publications you’re keen to read, the reputation of the course, or the specific modules you’d like to study are all great ways to show you’ve done your research. Be as genuine as possible. Please do not copy sentences from university or tourism websites. Instead, use your own words to describe the benefits of studying at a UK university. Highlight how studying on your selected courses would assist you in achieving your goals and benefiting your home country upon your return.
How to write your career plans in your Chevening Scholarship Application
Give serious thought to how you intend to make the most of the opportunity to study for a master’s degree with a UK university. Share detailed examples of your short-, mid-, and long-term career objectives. If you can link your career goals with any of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, you will receive additional points.
How to formulate your career plans
Give real thought to how you intend to make the most of the opportunity to study for a master’s degree at a UK university. Share detailed examples of your short, mid, and long-term career goals. You’ll get extra points if you can link your career goals with any of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Make sure your goals are ambitious but realistic. Walk the assessors through a clearly defined plan for achieving them. Outstanding applicants demonstrate real enthusiasm about making a lasting, positive contribution to their home countries and have clear ideas about how to achieve it. Steer away from describing motivations to pursue a master’s degree only as a stepping stone to studying for a PhD.
Summary
The Chevening Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity that can transform your career prospects and have a positive impact on your home country. As you embark on your application journey, we encourage you to take note of the tips and advice shared in this post and continue to explore the Chevening website and social media channels for more information and guidance.
Don’t forget to check out our other blog posts, which cover a wide range of topics related to the scholarship in the UK, including tips for interviews, and more. You can also watch our videos on our YouTube channel, where you’ll find useful hints and advice.
We wish you the best of luck as you pursue this incredible opportunity. Remember, the Chevening Scholarship is more than just a financial award, it’s a chance to join a community of talented individuals who are committed to making a positive impact on the world. Apply today and take the first step toward realizing your full potential. You can apply on the Chevening website.