Chevening Scholarship Scholar Meenatharisni Sundramohana from Malaysia Shares Her Journey of Securing a Fully Funded Master's at the University College London (UCL), United Kingdom

Coming to you from sunny Malaysia! Meena here, short for Meenatharisni Sundramohana.

My journey into health promotion took direction from my work in healthcare, with the pandemic bringing these realities into sharper focus. Volunteering extensively during the health crisis with the COVID-19 response teams and mobile clinics serving refugee communities, I saw firsthand the gaps in health literacy and the inequities in access to care.

These experiences led me to pursue a Master’s in Education, Health Promotion, and International Development at University College London (UCL) as a Chevening Scholar. I sought to better understand the systems that influence health promotion and behaviours, particularly among underserved populations.

This programme has given me the space to critically examine these challenges while equipping me to design solutions that are both evidence-based and grounded in real community needs.

Chevening Scholarship Details

I was fortunate to receive the Chevening Scholarship, an award funded by the UK Government, which supported my Master’s studies at UCL.

The scholarship is fully funded and covers university tuition fees, a monthly stipend, travel costs to/from the UK, an arrival allowance, a homeward departure allowance, and one visa application cost. Beyond financial support, it recognises individuals with strong professional experience and leadership potential who are committed to driving meaningful change in their home countries.

Educational Background

My academic journey has not been linear; it has been formative.

began with a degree in Medical Bioscience at Monash University, initially believing it would align with my long-term goals in healthcare. While the programme itself was valuable, my internship experience made me realise that a purely clinical or laboratory path did not align with my strengths or interests. I graduated with a credit, and at the time, I questioned my academic ability.

I then pursued a Master of Business Administration at Universiti Malaya. While the programme was broader, it became a pivotal turning point. It introduced me to research and critical inquiry, and my thesis on patient empowerment and loyalty was later published in the International Journal of Consumer Studies. This experience sparked my interest in evidence-based approaches and how research can inform real-world impact.

It took me well into my thirties to realise I was never lacking intelligence. You simply cannot grow in soil that was never meant for your roots.

Effort feels different when you are working on something that matters. When I found my purpose in the healthcare space, it changed how I think, how I learn, and how I stay with the work. Studying stopped feeling forced. The results followed. I graduated with straight A's (Distinction) during my Master’s at UCL.

Looking back, none of this was accidental. It carefully laid the stepping stones to where I stand today.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to University College London?

I took a more strategic approach when applying to universities. Since application fees can be quite costly, I waited until I was shortlisted for the Chevening interview before applying to my top three choices.

I received conditional offers that required IELTS results, so I completed the test after securing the scholarship, which then converted my offers to unconditional. Throughout the process, the student support teams were very responsive, and honestly, most of the information I needed was already available on their websites.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Chevening Scholarship?

One word: Community.

Hold on to your community. The Chevening network is incredibly supportive. I reached out to previous scholars, did mock interviews, and spoke to people in the industry without hesitation. Those interactions made a huge difference in how I prepared. Do not be afraid to network.

And now, to pay it forward, I conduct mock interviews to support future scholars, too.

How Is (was) Your Experience at University College London?

My experience at University College London was both challenging and transformative.

The teaching approach was very different from what I was used to back home. It required a high level of independent preparation: reviewing lectures, readings, videos, and podcasts in advance, so that classroom time could be focused on discussion, debate, and group work. It pushed me to be more confident, to speak up, and to engage critically with different perspectives. While it felt daunting at first, I quickly adapted and found it incredibly enriching.

Beyond the classroom, I stayed at Goodenough College, a postgraduate community with students from universities across London. It was an intellectually stimulating environment where I had the opportunity to organise events, attend academic talks, and fun trips. I also co-lead the Horse Riding Club, where we successfully secured funding to make lessons more accessible to members of the community.

Overall, both UCL and Goodenough College provided not just an academic experience, but a global community. One where I built meaningful friendships with people from all over the world.

What Did You Pursue After the Chevening Scholarship? (Work, Further Study, Research, or Something Else?)

While I was studying back in 2024, I wrote down a few goals for myself. One of them was to work in a social impact organisation like UNICEF or WHO.

Sometimes, putting things into words carries more power than we realise. Today, I’m working with UNICEF in Malaysia as a National Officer for Communications and Advocacy. In this role, I lead efforts to support child rights advocacy and work closely with partners to drive awareness and policy engagement on issues affecting children and their well-being

My answer below touches on these 3 questions

• What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?
• What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?
• What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

What made my application stand out was simply being myself. As generic as it sounds, I didn’t try to fit into any mould. I showed up with my full story, from my work in healthcare to even wearing my horse-riding ankle boots to the interview for good luck. To this day, I’m remembered as “the horse-riding girl.” Think of ways to differentiate yourself from others.

I wouldn’t have done anything differently. I applied three times before receiving the Chevening Scholarship, and each attempt created a better version of me. It taught me that perseverance matters, especially when you’re fighting for something you believe in.

If there’s one piece of advice I’d give, it’s this: patience isn’t passive. I used to rush, trying to force outcomes, but I’ve learned to slow down, reflect, and trust the process.

Because while patience can be bitter, patience paired with persistence is power.