How I Secured a Fully Funded Master's at University College London, United Kingdom Through the Chevening Scholarship

Before applying for Chevening, I worked at Ford Motor Company in Brazil, contributing to vehicle programmes launched globally. Although my role was technical, I also had to manage cost, quality, timing, suppliers, and stakeholders.

That experience showed me that successful projects depend on much more than engineering knowledge. Many relevant challenges involved commercial decisions, financial constraints, logistics, communication, and coordination across business areas. Therefore, I decided to pursue further education to be prepared to lead complex projects more effectively.

Through the Chevening Scholarship, I completed the MSc in Strategic Management of Projects at University College London. I chose this programme because it was aligned with my goal of becoming a project leader capable of managing complexity and understanding how projects can create value, support strategy, and generate impact.

Chevening Scholarship Details

I received the Chevening Scholarship, funded by the UK Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations. The scholarship supported my MSc in Strategic Management of Projects at University College London (UCL).

The award was fully funded and covered my tuition fees, travel costs to and from the UK, visa application costs, arrival and departure allowances, and a monthly stipend to support living expenses during my studies in London.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

Yes. Before Chevening, I was also awarded a fully funded scholarship from the Brazilian Government through the Science Without Borders Programme. Through this scholarship, I studied Product Design Engineering at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom during my undergraduate degree, from 2013 to 2014.

This was my first opportunity to study abroad, and it was very important for my development. It helped me gain academic depth, improve my English, experience a different educational environment, and mature both personally and professionally.

Educational Background

Before receiving the Chevening Scholarship, my main academic background was in Production Engineering. I completed my BEng in Production Engineering at the Federal University of Bahia, in Brazil, with a GPA of 7.7/10.

My educational background prepared me well to apply for the MSc in Strategic Management of Projects because Production Engineering is a multidisciplinary field. It helped me understand how technical, financial, operational, and organizational factors interact in complex environments, which was strongly connected to the programme I later pursued at UCL.

In addition to my degree in Brazil, I also had the opportunity to study Product Design Engineering in the United Kingdom through the Science Without Borders exchange programme at Loughborough University. This experience exposed me to a different academic environment and helped me become more confident studying and working in English.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to University College London (UCL)?

My preparation to apply to institutions involved a significant amount of research. I mainly used the official websites of each university I was interested in, because I wanted to make sure that I was choosing the right course, meeting the entry requirements, and understanding the programme structure in enough detail.

This research was not only important for the written application, but also for the conversations I had during the process. For example, as part of my application to UCL, I had an interview with the director of the MSc in Strategic Management of Projects. Knowing the course, the university, its academic structure, and the type of professionals involved in the programme helped me explain why that MSc was aligned with my academic and career goals.

I also had to take the TOEFL iBT as part of the application process. To prepare for it, I watched preparation videos on YouTube, studied the structure of the test, and completed practice simulations. In the end, I scored 106/120, which helped me meet the English language requirements for my applications.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Chevening Scholarship?

Preparing for the Chevening Scholarship required discipline and planning. I first made sure I understood all stages, requirements, and deadlines of the process, as well as what Chevening represented and the type of profile the programme was looking for.

I also spoke with people who had already been Chevening Scholars or were scholars at that time. These conversations helped me understand the experience beyond the official information available online, including what it meant to live in the UK, study a master’s degree there, and be part of the Chevening community.

For the written application, I dedicated significant time to the main Chevening questions, especially leadership, networking, my chosen universities and courses, and my career plan. I reviewed my answers many times, always trying to make them clearer and more connected to my personal and professional experiences.

For the interview, I prepared a list of possible questions and practiced daily, so that my examples, motivations, and main ideas were clear and ready to be communicated with confidence.

How is Your Experience at University College London (UCL)?

My experience at UCL was excellent. Studying at a university that is among the best in the UK and in the world exposed me to high-quality teaching, demanding academic discussions, and the opportunity to interact with very intelligent and motivated people from different countries and professional backgrounds.

Academically, I would rate UCL very highly. During the MSc in Strategic Management of Projects, I had the opportunity to learn from professors and professionals who were references in their fields of teaching, research, and practice. This was very motivating, because the programme encouraged us not only to understand project management tools, but also to think critically about how projects create value and support strategic change.

UCL also offered strong support to international students. There was support for academic writing and essays, mental health and wellbeing, and career development, including guidance on CVs and professional opportunities. This made the experience easier to navigate as an international student.

What Did You Pursue After the Chevening Scholarship?

After completing my Chevening Scholarship and returning to Brazil, I pursued a career in consulting, focusing on digital transformation, strategy, and business operations.

I joined EloGroup Management Consulting, where I worked in roles ranging from Senior Consultant to Consulting Project Manager. During that period, I led digital transformation projects for large clients in the private and public sectors, managed multidisciplinary teams, and worked with senior stakeholders to improve processes, controls, and operational efficiency.

More recently, I joined Radix Engineering and Software as a Strategy and Digital Transformation Senior Consultant. In this role, I have been working on strategy and transformation projects, particularly in areas related to Industry 4.0 and Operational Technology.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe my application stood out because I prepared for each stage with genuine interest, focus, and dedication. I spent a significant amount of time researching the universities, courses, requirements, academic structure, and professors, so that my choices were clearly connected to my goals. I also made sure I understood Chevening, its values, and the profile it was looking for. Throughout the process, I carefully wrote and reviewed my essays, using real examples from my academic and professional experience, and prepared extensively for the interview so that I could communicate my motivations, achievements, and career plan with clarity and confidence.

Looking Back, Would You Have Done Anything Differently During Your Time in the Program?

I would not necessarily do anything very differently, because I believe my preparation was strong and helped me go through the process with confidence. However, if I were applying again, I would consider contacting professors or members of the programme directly, in addition to the research I had already done online. This could have helped me gain an even deeper understanding of the course, its academic focus, and how it could connect with my professional goals.

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

My main advice is to truly believe that the opportunity to study at a great institution can transform both your personal life and your professional journey. Once you believe that, dedicate yourself as much as you can to the process. Research the scholarship, understand the universities and courses, reflect deeply on your own story, and prepare every application answer with care. A strong application is not built only on achievements, but also on clarity, purpose, and the ability to explain why that opportunity matters to you and how you intend to use it to create a positive impact.