How Humayun Nosheerwan, a Pakistani Scholar, Secured a Fully Funded Master's at LSE Through the Chevening Scholarship

My name is Humayun Nosheerwan. I am a Chevening Scholar, social entrepreneur, artist, higher education professional, and Founder of Mentor Launch Institute.

I grew up in Choa, a small and remote village in Pakistan's Salt Range, where I spent part of my childhood herding goats in the mountains, surrounded by limited educational opportunities and basic infrastructure. Those early experiences taught me that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.

Multiple competitive scholarships and international fellowships eventually took me from Pakistan to the United States, Canada, the UAE, the United Kingdom, and Africa. In 2024, I received the Chevening Scholarship, one of the world’s most prestigious scholarship awards, to pursue an MSc in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

I chose this field to explore how innovation and entrepreneurship can address social challenges, particularly unequal access to education. Today, that ambition drives my work through Mentor Launch, where I help students and professionals pursue international scholarships, leading universities, and global career opportunities.

Chevening Scholarship Details

I received the fully funded Chevening Scholarship for the 2024/25 academic year to study MSc Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at LSE.

Chevening is the UK Government's international scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations. My award covered university tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, travel and other eligible expenses.

Beyond its financial value, Chevening gave me access to an extraordinary global network of scholars, professionals and future leaders. For someone from a remote village in Pakistan, this experience was genuinely life-changing.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

Scholarships have shaped almost every major chapter of my educational journey. In fact, my first scholarship helped me leave my village to pursue higher education in Islamabad. I subsequently received additional financial support during my undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Pakistan.

In 2019, I was selected for the Atlas Corps Fellowship, supported by the US Department of State. This opportunity took me to Washington, DC, and enabled me to work full-time in a managerial capacity at a leading educational technology accelerator in downtown Boston, Massachusetts.

I was also selected as a YouthLead Global Ambassador and YouthLead Peer Advisor, expanding my involvement in international youth leadership and development initiatives.

Later, Chevening enabled me to study at LSE. I also secured unconditional master's admission offers from top-notch four Russell Group universities: London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University of Bristol, University of Exeter, and Newcastle University.

Looking back, my journey has been shaped by a series of scholarships, fellowships, and multiple awards, each opening doors that once seemed beyond my reach. These experiences eventually inspired me to establish Mentor Launch and help other ambitious individuals pursue international academic and career opportunities.

Educational Background

I completed a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) in Pakistan, followed by an MPhil in International Development Studies. My MPhil research examined Pakistani PhD students' international mobility and how their overseas education contributed to knowledge transfer after returning home.

While working in Boston, I also completed an Executive Certificate in Higher Education Leadership at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Combined with my professional experience across several countries, these qualifications gave me an interdisciplinary foundation in business, international development, higher education and educational innovation, making Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship a natural next step.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)?

Applying to leading UK universities required more than choosing prestigious names. I researched programme structures, modules, admission requirements, and how each degree aligned with my professional background and future ambitions. This strategic approach helped me secure master's admission offers from LSE, Bristol, Exeter and Newcastle.

My biggest lesson was that successful applications require a compelling narrative, not simply impressive qualifications. Admissions committees need to understand your academic direction, what you bring to the programme and why the degree matters for your future.

This is where an experienced mentor can make a significant difference. Someone who has successfully navigated competitive admissions can help assess your individual profile, identify suitable programmes and develop an authentic application narrative.

Without a clear strategy, students risk wasting considerable time and money on unsuitable choices and poorly positioned applications. This belief is central to Mentor Launch, where I provide personalised guidance informed by my own international university admissions experience.

How Did You Find Information About Chevening Scholarship and London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)?

I relied on official scholarship websites, university admissions pages, programme descriptions, and conversations with former scholars and experienced professionals.

I focused on eligibility, deadlines, course content, and scholarship requirements. I also learned that finding information is relatively easy; interpreting it strategically and applying it to your individual circumstances is much more challenging.

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

Standardized testing requirements vary between universities, programmes and scholarship schemes. I encourage applicants to verify the specific English language and testing requirements of their chosen institutions rather than assuming that the same criteria apply everywhere.

I achieved an overall band score of 8 out of 9 in both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, demonstrating my English language proficiency for international education and professional opportunities.

Having successfully navigated these examinations myself, I understand the importance of strategic preparation, particularly for students whose first language is not English.

Through Mentor Launch Institute, I now support students from different countries in preparing for English language proficiency tests, helping them develop effective preparation strategies, improve their performance, and work towards achieving competitive scores required for admission to leading international universities.

My advice is to understand your target university's specific language requirements, prepare strategically, and aim beyond the minimum score whenever possible.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Chevening Scholarship?

My Chevening journey began with rejection. My first application was unsuccessful, but that experience became an important turning point.

When I decided to apply again, one of the most important decisions I made was seeking guidance from an exceptionally talented and inspiring mentor who had successfully secured multiple prestigious international scholarships. Having someone who had personally navigated these competitive opportunities helped me recognise weaknesses in my previous approach, better understand my strengths, and develop a more strategic application.

With my mentor's guidance, I shifted my focus from simply listing achievements to building a compelling narrative that demonstrated my leadership, professional relationships, career ambitions and potential for meaningful impact. I carefully reflected on my international experiences, selected examples with measurable outcomes and connected them to my chosen UK programmes and future goals.

My second application was successful.

That experience taught me two invaluable lessons: rejection does not necessarily mean you lack potential, and the right mentor can make an extraordinary difference. Sometimes, success is not about achieving more, but about having someone who can help you recognise, organise and communicate the value of what you have already accomplished.

This experience ultimately inspired my own approach to personalised mentorship through Mentor Launch Institute.

How is Your Experience at London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)?

Studying at LSE was one of the most intellectually rewarding experiences of my life. I learned alongside talented people from diverse countries and professional backgrounds, exchanging perspectives that challenged my assumptions and expanded my thinking.

The MSc in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship encouraged us to connect academic research with practical approaches to social challenges.

Beyond the classroom, I served as a student representative and international student ambassador and received an LSE student engagement award.

These experiences strengthened my leadership skills, expanded my international network, and deepened my commitment to educational equity.

How Do You Rate London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Academically?

I would rate my academic experience at LSE extremely highly because of its intellectual rigour, international environment, and emphasis on critical thinking.

What impressed me most was the opportunity to examine complex social challenges from different disciplinary perspectives while learning from experienced academics and accomplished classmates.

The programme encouraged independent research, constructive debate and the practical application of knowledge.

How Does the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Support International Students?

LSE offers academic guidance, student support services, career resources and opportunities to participate in a diverse university community.

However, my experience also highlighted how international students can struggle to navigate unfamiliar academic expectations and fragmented university systems.

These observations influenced my MSc dissertation, which examined international students' experiences with digital support systems and explored how artificial intelligence could improve access, belonging, and educational equity.

I believe universities must go beyond admitting international students and ensure they can successfully navigate and participate in their academic environments.

What Did You Pursue After the Chevening Scholarship?

In December 2025, I founded Mentor Launch Institute in London with a mission to help ambitious individuals access the international opportunities that transformed my own life.

Through Mentor Launch, I provide professional, personalised guidance on competitive international scholarships and fellowships, master's admissions at leading universities, academic and career development, and international education and immigration pathways. My approach combines firsthand international experience with tailored strategies to help individuals navigate complex decisions and pursue opportunities aligned with their backgrounds and aspirations.

My broader mentorship experience has reached more than 1,500 students and professionals across over 40 countries. What makes this work particularly meaningful is supporting talented individuals who remind me of my younger self: people with enormous potential but limited access to experienced mentors, reliable information, and international opportunities.

Alongside Mentor Launch, I continue my research in international higher education, student mobility, artificial intelligence, and educational equity, while preparing to pursue doctoral research in Canada.

My lifelong ambition is to combine research, educational innovation and personalised mentorship to make international education and global opportunities more accessible, particularly for individuals from underserved communities.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe the strength of my Chevening application was its coherent narrative connecting my personal background, international professional experience and future ambitions.

Rather than presenting disconnected achievements, I demonstrated how my experiences had shaped my leadership, values and commitment to expanding educational opportunities.

I supported my story with specific examples of professional impact and explained why studying at LSE was a logical next step.

My philosophy is simple: a strong scholarship application is not a list of everything you have done. It is an argument for why what you have done matters.

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

I would have sought experienced mentorship earlier and spent more time developing my application strategy before writing.

During my first Chevening attempt, I underestimated the importance of selecting strong examples and communicating their significance.

I would also have researched university programmes earlier, reflected more carefully on my strengths, and sought constructive feedback.

Ultimately, I learned that achievements alone rarely speak for themselves. Applicants must explain why those achievements matter and how they connect with their future ambitions.

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

My first advice is to give yourself permission to be ambitious. Growing up in a remote village in Pakistan, studying at institutions such as Harvard or LSE once seemed unimaginable. Had I allowed my circumstances to limit my ambitions, I would never have pursued these opportunities.

Second, never reject yourself before a scholarship or university committee has the opportunity to assess your application. You do not need a perfect background to demonstrate potential, but you must communicate your strengths and aspirations convincingly.

Third, choose universities strategically and treat rejection as an opportunity to learn. My first Chevening application failed, but my second succeeded because I reflected, improved, and approached the process differently.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, find the right mentor.

I particularly encourage young students and their parents to be thoughtful about whom they trust with their educational future. Studying abroad requires significant financial and personal investment, yet many applicants rely on expensive, generic consultancy services without receiving guidance tailored to their backgrounds.

Seek someone with relevant expertise and, ideally, firsthand experience of successfully securing competitive scholarships and admission to leading universities. A good mentor should understand your individual circumstances, help you identify suitable opportunities and guide you in building an authentic, compelling application narrative.

This is precisely why I founded Mentor Launch Institute. Having navigated international scholarships, university admissions and professional opportunities across multiple countries, I wanted to make personalised, experience-based mentorship more accessible.

My mission goes beyond helping people secure scholarships or university offers. I want to help them make informed decisions that can transform their futures.

I know what it means to need a scholarship simply to leave your village and pursue an education. I also know how much becomes possible when ambition meets opportunity and the right guidance.

You do not need anyone's permission to dream big.

Take Your Chance!

That is the philosophy behind Mentor Launch.