How a Saint Lucian Scholar Earned the Chevening Scholarship to Study Strategic People Management at Liverpool John Moores University in the UK

My name is Patrish Lionel, and I am from the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. I am a public service employee, community leader, and author.

Though I am employed as an administrative professional within the public service of Saint Lucia, my passion has always been in human resource management and people development. I decided to pursue a Master's degree in Strategic People Management and Practice at Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom (UK) because of this passion and a broader commitment to national progress. Having witnessed the inefficiencies plaguing the public service in Saint Lucia and a desire to drive meaningful and impactful changes within this sector, I decided that furthering my studies in this area would be an ideal place to gain the relevant knowledge, strategic insight, and practical tools essential for driving this transformation.

Chevening Scholarship Details

Chevening is the UK government’s international scholarships programme. It offers fully funded scholarships to individuals to pursue a one-year master’s degree in the UK. Chevening seeks individuals with a vision to create positive change locally, nationally, or globally.

This is one of the most prestigious and highly competitive scholarships; therefore, to be selected for Chevening is an amazing achievement. For the 2024/2025 cohort, there were approximately 60,000 applications, with about 1334 making it to the final selection. This places those chosen among the top 2%, highlighting their remarkable qualifications and perseverance.

Educational Background

I graduated with First-Class Honours at the University of the West Indies where I completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Studies (Human Resource Management) at the University of the West Indies. My GPA was 3.82.

Considering my undergraduate degree was already in Human Resource Management, it was a natural inclination to pursue higher education in a similar field, which would be impactful. In consultation with one of my previous managers, we decided that pursuing a degree in Strategic People Management would align with my career goals of developing and modernising Saint Lucia’s public service.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Liverpool John Moores University?

After deciding on my career trajectory, I searched for all the universities with similar programmes and then narrowed down my selection based on location, programme modules, and university ranking. I prepared my personal statements and then applied to three universities and received acceptance from all three.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Chevening Scholarship?

I always knew I wanted this scholarship from the first time I heard about it, which was in 2017. At that time, I was still pursuing undergraduate studies and made it my mission to apply after graduation. During that time, I followed the success stories of other Chevening scholars and did my own research. One year before I applied, I began creating a structure to assist with the process. I began looking at YouTube videos for advice, started exploring the universities and the programmes that aligned with my career, and sought advice from previous managers and scholars. I also began making notes for the essay portion of the scholarship application, which focuses on leadership, networking, studying in the UK, and career plans. When applications opened, I was able to navigate the process smoothly.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

Chevening looks for authenticity and individuals with leadership and networking potential willing to make a difference in their country. In my application, not only did I highlight these qualities through my academic and professional life, I was able to demonstrate my leadership potential by showing them the end result of one of my major accomplishments to date which was co-authoring and leading a team of individuals to publish a historical book on our community in Saint Lucia. Yes, I also brought the book to the interview, which seemed to impress the panel.

I was able to show them that despite encountering several challenges during this process, I was able to overcome the hurdles and achieve a positive outcome, which would be beneficial not just for me or my community but for my country. Highlighting the skills (emotional intelligence, communication, active listening, problem solving) that I utilised to navigate these challenges was also a great technique that I believe showcased my abilities to effectively handle difficult situations.

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

Inasmuch as I believe I was adequately prepared, there is always room for improvement. One thing I would have done differently would have been to engage with past scholars earlier. This would have made me a little more confident during the interview. Whilst the interview went quite well and better than I had expected, I would have been more confident from the beginning.

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

Preparation is key. This is not an application that should be rushed, but should be carefully planned. Ensure that you have adequately prepared by going over the application requirements, and begin researching the programmes that align with your career as well as universities that can help you achieve this. There are four essays required in the application, which focus on leadership, networking, studying in the UK, and career plans. Ensure that you have concrete evidence of these focus areas and utilise the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to answer the essays. Focus on quality and not quantity, do not try to fill the essays with many examples, but pick a few and ensure there is quality information that answers the question. Chevening’s website is filled with rich information regarding various aspects of the application process. Ensure that you make use of it. Lastly, at the interview, ensure that you are well-rested and relaxed, and do not be afraid to be your authentic self.