Established in the year 1983, Chevening is the UK’s premier scholarship and fellowship program. It aims to help future global leaders to study in the country, thus enabling them to join a professional community that will help change the world.
Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, it offers 2 awards, namely the Chevening Scholarships and the Chevening Fellowships. Recipients of both are chosen by British embassies and commissions all across the globe. In this article, we will be looking at the Chevening scholarships for international students.
Chevening Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Master’s degree (one year)
- Host Institution: any affiliated UK university
- Study Destination: UK
- Scholarship Type: Fully funded
- Eligible Nationality: citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory
Chevening Scholarship Coverage
The Chevening Scholarship is open to qualified students who wish to take a 1-year Master’s degree in the UK. As a fully-funded award, it covers the following: tuition/course fees, airfare (economy), arrival & departure allowance, cost entry clearance/visa, TB testing, travel top-up allowance, and monthly personal allowance for accommodation & living expenses.
Chevening Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Chevening Scholarship, you must:
- Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory
- An undergraduate degree equivalent to an upper second class 2:1 honors program
- Have at least 2 years (2,800 hours) of work experience
- Receive an unconditional offer from 3 eligible courses
Scholars must also return to their home countries for 2 years after receiving the scholarship award.
How to Apply for the Chevening Scholarship
The Chevening Scholarship application process starts with choosing the right course. Students must select three Chevening-eligible taught master’s programs when applying for the award. It is recommended to choose similar courses at several UK universities to increase the chance of getting the award.
After choosing a study program, applicants must register through the Chevening online application system (OAS). Duly complete the application form and submit all required documents before the deadline. This usually asks demographic or educational inquiries, plus certain questions that require a minimum 100-word answer. Ensure that the information provided is accurate and valid.
Chevening receives a high volume of applications every year. The embassy will contact shortlisted applicants and will be asked to attend an interview. But before the interview, the applicant must upload the following documents to the OAS:
- Education documents, i.e. transcripts and/or certificates
- 2 reference letters
- Short biography
During the interview, the student must present his/her passport or national ID and other additional documents. The interview will be conducted in English with panel interviewers from representatives of the British Council.
Successful applicants will be informed of their status by early to mid-June. Just a reminder, waiting for the outcome of your interview before applying to a university is not advisable. It is recommended to apply for the courses as soon as possible while waiting for the outcome of your Chevening interview.
Check Also: Programs in the United Kingdom for International Students
Chevening Fellowship Summary
- Host Institution: current hosts
- Study Destination: UK
- Fellowship Type: dynamic training, professional training, or research opportunities
- Eligible Nationality: citizen of a Fellowship-eligible country or territory
Chevening Fellowship Coverage
The Chevening Fellowship is a program for mid-career professionals who wish to increase their knowledge/skills through research, short courses, or placements in UK institutions. The Fellowship coverage will vary depending on the chosen program and institution.
Chevening Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Chevening Fellowship, you must be:
- a citizen of eligible countries or territories.
- a mid-career professional with demonstrated leadership potential – as well as the personal, intellectual, and interpersonal features that reflect this potential.
- a post-graduate level qualification.
- able to meet all program-specific requirements
Expectedly, applicants should meet the program’s specific entry requirements and return to their home countries for 2 years after finishing their fellowship.
How to Apply for the Chevening Fellowship
Like the scholarship application process, aspiring fellows should start by choosing a program relevant to the applicant’s field of expertise. The available options usually depend on the field and citizenship.
After selecting a program, the student may apply through any of these fellowships’ application pages. Then, the application and submitted documents will be evaluated by the committee.
Shortlisted applicants for the Chevening Fellowship will be asked to attend an interview at a British embassy or commission at his/her location. The same requirements required from scholars will apply. Depending on the circumstance, the aspiring fellow may need to attend a second interview.
“New fellows” will be announced depending on the host institutions’ application timeline.
Conclusion
The Chevening Scholarship and Fellowship programs are competitive awards that have gone a long way since their start in 1983. From 100 applicants from 41 countries, it has awarded more than 1,750 awardees from 160 nations.
Taking this into consideration, the list of global Chevening scholars and fellows has around 55,000 alumni. Like them, you can become a Chevener – and make a profound impact on your community, country, and beyond.
We hope that this article on Chevening scholarships for international students was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in the United Kingdom!
