A Cambodian National Wins the Chevening Scholarship to Pursue a Master's in International Security at the University of Bristol in the UK

My name is Nory Ly. I come from Cambodia, and I am a Chevening Scholar 2023/24, studying MSc International Security at the University of Bristol. The uniqueness of my program is it provides deep, theoretical, and conceptual analytical skills for security studies, especially international security in the contemporary world. I chose this degree based on my career inspiration and how I want to contribute to developing Cambodia’s foreign and security policy.

Chevening Scholarship Details

The Chevening Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship from the UK government to over 100 eligible countries/territories. The scholarship will cover full tuition, a monthly stipend to cover the cost of living (including accommodation), travel top-up to Chevening compulsory events, settle-in allowance, return flight tickets, visa application, homeward travel allowance, and TB test fee. This package allows successful awardees to study a one-year full-time master’s degree in the UK.

Educational Background

I completed my Bachelor’s in International Relations at the Royal University of Law and Economics in Cambodia. This degree sparked my interest in studying International Security, as it provided me with a strong foundation in key areas such as IR theories, international institutions, global governance, and international politics. These subjects offered me the intellectual groundwork and inspiration to pursue postgraduate studies in the field.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Chevening Scholarships and the University of Bristol?

For the Chevening application, I closely followed updates on the official Chevening website as well as resources from the alumni association in Cambodia. I had set winning the Chevening Scholarship as a life goal, so I was somewhat familiar with it before applying. However, there were still things I needed to learn, so I made sure to stay informed through available resources and reached out to alumni for support, particularly with essay writing. The essays can be one of the biggest challenges for applicants, but there are three manageable steps to tackle them.

First, you must have a clear goal—understand why you want to pursue this specific course and why a master’s degree is important for your career. This goal will drive your motivation and form the foundation of your essays.

Second, focus on highlighting the most relevant examples in your essays. Chevening requires four essays: leadership, networking, studying in the UK, and career plan. While everyone has different experiences, choose those that best match the context of each essay and explain them using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely) frameworks.

Third, seek advice from Chevening alumni. They can provide invaluable feedback and guidance based on their successful application experiences. If you reach the interview stage, make sure to prepare thoroughly—mock interviews with alumni can be especially helpful.

For my university applications, particularly the University of Bristol, I prepared a personal statement, CV, academic transcript, degree certificate, reference letters, and my language proficiency score. I achieved an overall IELTS score of 7.0. In the personal statement, it’s crucial to emphasize why you are a good fit for the program and what unique qualities you bring. For the IELTS exam, understanding the format, practicing extensively, and familiarizing yourself with the test flow are key to performing well.

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

I would not change anything as I was well prepared for my application.

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

I would advise all scholarship aspirants to do research as much as possible on the scholarship they want to apply. Understanding the process and key deadline, and plan your strategies well. Do not just make one plan, plan the alternative plans as well. I recommend you reach out to alumni for advice and guidance to ensure you are on the safe track. Search for reliable sources online for example blog, YouTube videos to bring yourself closer to those important tips and techniques, and always proofread your work before submitting.