How Ahmed Fizal, a Maldivian Scholar, Secured a Fully Funded Master’s in Environmental Impact Assessment and Management at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom Through the Chevening Scholarship

My name is Ahmed Fizal, and I'm from the Maldives. I'm the Managing Director of Fizal Environmental Consultancy (FIZENCO), my own firm, and I also take on independent consulting work in the environment, climate change, and disaster risk reduction (DRR), working with international agencies and companies, as well as government clients. I pursued my Master's in Environmental Impact Assessment and Management at the University of Manchester, under the Chevening Scholarship, because I wanted to build the technical grounding to help shape the Maldives' development journey toward greater climate resilience, given how directly the country's future is tied to environmental and climate risk.

Chevening Scholarship Details

I received the Chevening Scholarship, a fully funded UK government scholarship, to pursue my MSc in Environmental Impact Assessment and Management at the University of Manchester. It covered my tuition and living costs for the duration of the program.

Educational Background

I completed my Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Management at Maldives National University (MNU), Faculty of Science, under the MEMP Scholarship, a Government of Maldives scholarship awarded by the Ministry of Environment and Energy. This undergraduate foundation in environmental science gave me the grounding to pursue a more specialized, applied field at the Master's level, which led me to Environmental Impact Assessment and Management at Manchester.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Manchester?

How Did You Find Information About Scholarships and Institutions?

I relied heavily on the official Chevening website, which offers excellent guidance on eligible courses and application requirements. From there, I researched UK universities offering highly specialized environmental assessment programs, rather than general environmental science degrees, since I wanted training specific to the field I intended to work in. The University of Manchester stood out for its practical, applied approach and strong global reputation. What ultimately drew me to Manchester, though, was discovering that several leading authors and researchers in environmental impact assessment were teaching there. Being able to learn directly from people whose work had shaped the field was a big part of what inspired me to apply.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

Yes, I took the IELTS, which is a standard requirement for UK universities and the Chevening Scholarship. I prepared using online practice exams to get familiar with the timing and format, particularly for the writing and speaking sections. I ended up scoring an 8 overall, which was a pleasant surprise given how much I'd focused on just getting the basics right.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Chevening Scholarship?

Chevening requires four core essays: Leadership and Influence, Networking, Studying in the UK, and Career Plan. I spent several weeks outlining my essays, making sure a clear "golden thread" connected my past experiences to my future goals in the Maldives. I drew on my experience as President of the NGO Marine Journal Maldives to demonstrate community leadership, and mapped out exactly how the Manchester degree would let me contribute to national environmental policy upon my return. Looking back, I'm proud to say I've genuinely followed through on that plan. The work I do now is very much what I set out to do.

How is Your Experience at the University of Manchester?

My experience at the University of Manchester was excellent. The academic environment was rigorous, and working alongside a highly diverse international cohort gave me the chance to understand environmental governance from multiple global perspectives. As something of a night owl, I made great use of the university's 24/7 library and round-the-clock working spaces, and I found it genuinely inspiring to be surrounded by so many hardworking students who had come from all over the world to study there. Beyond academics, I made a real effort to network, building international friendships from across the globe that have lasted well beyond my time there.

How Do You Rate the University of Manchester Academically?

I rate it very highly. The faculty are deeply embedded in active research and industry practice, and the coursework was highly applicable to real-world scenarios, which was exactly what I needed to advance both my consulting career and my NGO work with small island communities. I came away with a much broader understanding of engagement strategies and policy dynamics from around the world, which has genuinely shaped the way I approach my work today.

How Does the University of Manchester Support International Students?

The university has a large international student body and excellent support infrastructure, from academic writing centers to active international student societies that make the transition to life in the UK much easier. Orientation week, in particular, stood out. It was warm and welcoming, and gave me a smooth entry into what turned out to be a very content-heavy year.

What Did You Pursue After the Chevening Scholarship?

After completing my Master's, I returned to the Maldives and built my career in environment, climate change, and disaster risk reduction, working across a wide range of consultancy engagements with international agencies and companies, as well as government bodies. This has included leading national policy work such as the Maldives DRR Strategy 2024-2030 and the first Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Campaign Roadmap produced globally. I eventually set up my own firm, Fizal Environmental Consultancy (FIZENCO), and I also do volunteer work with my NGO, reaching out to communities across islands in the Maldives to improve their climate and environmental knowledge.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe my application stood out because of my specific, actionable career plan combined with a proven track record of leadership. Rather than expressing a general interest in "saving the environment," I articulated a clear vision: conducting technical Environmental Impact Assessments, mapping subnational disaster risks, and influencing policy in the Maldives. That let me show the selection committee exactly what the return on their investment would be.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

I would have connected with Chevening alumni earlier in the process. While I was confident in my goals, having an alumnus review my essays sooner could have helped me refine my narrative and cut down significantly on the editing time.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Be authentic and specific. Chevening is looking for future leaders and influencers, so don't just list your academic achievements; show how you've impacted your community or professional field. Make sure your choice of university, your past experience, and your future career goals align clearly throughout the application. Selection committees want to see exactly how their funding will help you create positive change in your home country.