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

My name is Mary Abena Yeko Boakye, and I am from Ghana. I am currently pursuing an MA in Children, Youth and International Development at Brunel University London.

Although my first degree was in Accountancy, my career took a different direction when I began working as a Child and Youth Development Practitioner. Over time, I grew to love the work and found a strong sense of purpose in supporting young people through different stages of their lives, helping them navigate challenges and supporting their transition into higher education and other opportunities.

As my passion for the field grew, I became increasingly certain that this was the kind of work I wanted to continue doing. At the same time, I realised that although I had gained significant practical experience and knowledge, I did not yet have an academic qualification that directly reflected the field I had chosen to build my career in. That realisation motivated me to pursue an MA in Children, Youth and International Development so that I could strengthen my professional knowledge and complement my years of practical experience.

Chevening Scholarship Details

I received the Chevening Scholarship, a UK Government international scholarship programme, to pursue my master’s degree. My tuition fee was £20,400, and I received £21,408 towards living expenses, bringing the total value of the scholarship to £41,808.

Educational Background

I completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, graduating with a GPA of 3.8/4.0, which was a First Class. My studies exposed me to areas such as accounting, corporate law, leadership, strategic planning, and organisational management.

When I began working as a Child and Youth Development Practitioner, I realised that I was interested in the strategic and organisational side of the work. I enjoyed planning, strengthening systems, putting structures in place and thinking about how organisations could function more effectively to support children and young people.

This interest led me to pursue a master’s degree in Corporate Governance and Strategic Leadership at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The programme strengthened my understanding of leadership, governance, strategic thinking and organisational oversight, and helped me develop skills that became useful in both my professional work and my scholarship application.

Although my academic journey began in accounting, each stage gradually helped me understand the kind of work I wanted to pursue and prepared me for my current MA in Children, Youth and International Development.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Brunel University London?

A lot of research went into choosing the universities I applied to. At the time, I was already clear that I wanted to pursue a programme related to children and young people, so that became my starting point when exploring different institutions.

One helpful part of the Chevening application process was being able to explore eligible universities and courses on their website and compare them against my interests and long-term goals. Through that process, I identified Brunel University London, the University of Bath and the University of Edinburgh.

Brunel quickly became my first choice because its MA in Children, Youth and International Development aligned very closely with what I wanted to study. For the University of Bath and the University of Edinburgh, I selected International Development programmes because some of the modules also matched my interests and the direction I wanted to take professionally.

What attracted me most to Brunel was the strong practical element of the programme. I wanted a course that would not only give me academic knowledge but also expose me to practical, hands-on learning, and that has been reflected in my experience since joining the university.

In terms of admission requirements, I did not need to take IELTS or GRE for Brunel. Some of the other universities I considered had additional language or testing requirements, but because Brunel was already my first choice and I met its admission requirements, I did not end up taking those examinations.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Chevening Scholarship?

I first heard about the Chevening Scholarship in 2019 through a friend who was studying in the UK at the time. He knew about the work I was doing with children and young people in Ghana and casually suggested that Chevening might be a good opportunity for me. At the time, however, I wasn't particularly interested in leaving Ghana. I had grown very attached to the children and young people I was working with and genuinely loved what I was doing.

I became more intentional about researching the scholarship in 2023. I spent a lot of time on the Chevening website, learning about what the scholarship was looking for, understanding the application process, and studying the guidance on the different aspects of the application. I also watched many YouTube videos from previous Chevening Scholars who shared their experiences and application journeys. Hearing from people who had successfully gone through the process gave me a better understanding of what Chevening was looking for and helped me think carefully about how to present my own experiences in my essays.

I was also fortunate to have people around me who supported me through the process. The same friend who first introduced me to Chevening was willing to review my essays and give me feedback. My husband was also incredibly supportive and spent many late nights reading my essays, discussing my ideas with me, and helping me identify areas that could be improved.

By the time I finally felt ready to apply, I had spent years learning about the scholarship and reflecting on how my own experiences aligned with what Chevening was looking for. I was awarded the scholarship on my first attempt!

How is Your Experience at Brunel University London?

My experience at Brunel University London has been positive overall. The transition was a little challenging at first because the UK academic system was quite different from what I was used to in Ghana, so it took some time to adjust to the expectations and style of learning.

However, my professors have been very supportive and approachable. Their feedback has helped guide my work, building my confidence and reassuring me that I was progressing in the right direction.

Overall, Brunel has provided me with a supportive academic environment, and although there was an adjustment period at the beginning, the experience has been worthwhile.

How Do You Rate Brunel University London Academically?

Academically, I would rate Brunel very highly. I have been impressed by the quality of the lecturers, the course content, the feedback provided, and the practical nature of the learning.

One module I enjoyed most was Applied Learning, which gave me the opportunity to work with a charity organisation in the UK that supports children and young people. That experience allowed me to engage directly with children and young people in a different context from Ghana, and it broadened my understanding of some of the issues affecting them across different settings.

What Did You Pursue After the Chevening Scholarship?

I am currently still completing my Chevening Scholarship and my MA in Children, Youth and International Development. Alongside my studies, I currently work with Carers Trust Hillingdon and Ealing as an Assessment and Pathways Officer, supporting children and young people with caring responsibilities.

After completing my studies, I intend to continue building my career in child and youth development, with a particular focus on child protection and safeguarding, youth empowerment, and creating opportunities that enable young people to thrive. In the long term, I hope to use the knowledge, experience, network and the international exposure I have gained through Chevening to contribute more meaningfully to the development of children and young people in Ghana and beyond.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think what made my application stand out was the authenticity of my story. I was not trying to manufacture experiences to fit what I thought Chevening wanted to hear. The examples I shared came from things I had genuinely lived through, including how I found my way into child and youth development, the work I had done with young people, and the lessons I had gained through those experiences.

I also made a conscious effort not to be intimidated by the stories of other scholars and applicants I came across during my preparation. Some of them had worked in international organisations or held national-level roles. My own story was different. I was working in a rural community, supporting children, young people and families in the context I had been given. Rather than trying to make my experience sound bigger than it was, I chose to tell that story honestly and show the impact of the work I had genuinely been doing.

Because the story was real, I think I was able to write about it with clarity and conviction. My application reflected where I had come from, what I had already been doing, and the direction I wanted my career to take.

One thing I learnt from my experience is that you do not necessarily need an international title or a high-profile role to have a story worth telling. What matters is understanding the value of your own experiences and being able to communicate the difference you have made within your own context.

I also believe very strongly that the grace of God played a significant part in the outcome. I prepared seriously and did everything I could, but receiving the scholarship is something I remain deeply grateful to God for.

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

Looking back, one thing I would have done differently is to research the admission requirements of my chosen universities more thoroughly. I spent a lot of time focusing on finding courses that aligned with my interests and career goals, but I did not pay as much attention to the individual entry requirements of each institution.

I was fortunate that Brunel University, which was my first choice, did not require me to take IELTS. At that stage of the application process, taking an additional test would have been difficult because of the limited time I had to confirm my university choice. That experience taught me that choosing the right course is important, but understanding every admission requirement early is equally important.

I would also have made more effort to connect directly with Chevening alumni. Most of the insights I gained from previous scholars came through YouTube videos, which were very helpful, but I did not personally reach out to alumni during my application. Looking back, I think those conversations could have given me additional practical insight and reassurance.

Apart from these, I would not change anything major. I had spent a considerable amount of time researching, reflecting, and preparing before I finally applied, and that preparation served me well.

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

One major piece of advice I would give to anyone considering the Chevening Scholarship is to make the Chevening website your best friend. The information there is very detailed, so take the time to understand the requirements, the application process, and what the scholarship is looking for.

It is also important to ask yourself whether Chevening genuinely aligns with your goals. For example, scholars are expected to return to their home country after completing their studies, so you need to think honestly about whether that fits with the direction you want your life and career to take. Chevening is a fantastic opportunity, but it may not be the right fit for everyone.

If you decide that it is right for you, then go for it seriously. Do your research, prepare well, and do not be discouraged if you are unsuccessful the first time. I have met people who applied several times before eventually receiving the scholarship. Each attempt can be an opportunity to improve yourself and strengthen your application. Hopefully, you may be fortunate enough to receive it on your first try, as I did.

I would also say, do not forget God. Faith has been a very important part of my journey. I believe in preparing well and doing everything within my ability, but I also believe that when the right opportunity aligns with the right season, things can come together in ways you may not expect.

Finally, opportunities are everywhere, but you often have to be intentional about finding them. Stay curious, keep learning, and when you find an opportunity that aligns with your purpose and goals, do not be afraid to pursue it.