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

Hi everyone! My name is Rahaf Aloran, and I come from Amman, Jordan. I worked as a Senior Compliance Associate at Amazon while independently championing women's rights initiatives in my community. Balancing corporate compliance with grassroots advocacy gave me a unique perspective on how institutional policies and gender disparities intersect. That exact realisation sparked my drive to pursue an MA in Gender Studies (Middle East Pathway). I knew that to make the kind of impact I envisioned, I needed to step out of my comfort zone and gain a global perspective and practical expertise.

Chevening Scholarship Details

• Scholarship Name: Chevening Award (funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
• Host Institution: SOAS, University of London.
• Award Value: Fully Funded (covers 100% of tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, economy return flights to the UK, and additional allowances for arrival costs).

Educational Background

I hold a bachelor’s degree in French Language and Literature from The University of Jordan with a GPA of 3.8 (First Class Honours). Beyond language mastery, my coursework immersed me in French socio-political history, civil rights movements, and existentialist philosophy. Studying seminal works by figures like Simone de Beauvoir and analysing the ideological roots of the French Revolution fundamentally shaped my critical thinking. It ignited my passion for gender theory and provided me with the analytical framework to critically examine social justice and gender equity issues in my own region.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to SOAS, University of London?

How Did You Find Information About Chevening Scholarship and SOAS, University of London?

I spent months scouring university ranking portals, Chevening’s official course finder, and LinkedIn. Connecting directly with alumni from SOAS, University of London gave me the real, unfiltered lowdown on module structures, faculty expertise, and campus culture. I went deep into academic research, hunting for small, overlooked details about specific professors, their published research, and niche module electives so I could explain precisely why SOAS was the only place for my specific vision.

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

Preparation Strategy: Chevening no longer strictly requires an English language test for the award itself, but my university required an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall. I spent two weeks preparing using official practice tests, focusing heavily on time management for the writing section, and secured an overall score of 8.0.
Tests Taken: IELTS Academic

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Chevening Scholarship?

Preparing for Chevening is a marathon, not a sprint. The heart of the application lies in its four core essays: Leadership, Networking, Studying in the UK, and Career Plan. Coming from a non-traditional background, moving from Amazon corporate compliance to gender advocacy meant I had to be meticulous in building a clear, convincing bridge between my experience and future goals. I dedicated nearly two full months to drafting, reflecting, and refining:

Mapping Every Leadership Example: I spent weeks writing out and dissecting every possible leadership scenario from both my corporate role at Amazon and my independent women's rights initiatives. I carefully analysed how skills like risk assessment, policy compliance, and operational auditing directly strengthened my grassroots advocacy work.

Granular Academic Research: I studied the degree programme inside out. I looked beyond standard course descriptions to discover niche details about faculty members' research specialisations and specific seminar structures, ensuring my essays demonstrated genuine academic intent.

Alumni Outreach & Strategic Alignment: I reached out to past scholars to understand how to best frame my story. I then aligned my personal ambitions directly with UK development priorities and ongoing gender equity initiatives in Jordan.

Interview Preparation: Once shortlisted, I practiced mock interviews with friends and in front of a mirror until my responses felt like an authentic, confident conversation rather than a rehearsed speech.

How is Your Experience at SOAS, University of London?

Campus Life & Experience: SOAS provided an incredibly vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. Campus life was always buzzing with diverse student societies, cultural events, political debates, and panel discussions. It was a space where you could connect with people from every corner of the globe who share a deep commitment to social justice and critical thought.

How Does SOAS, University of London Support International Students?

The institutional support for international students was comprehensive and top-tier. SOAS offered robust resources across all areas, including dedicated psychological and mental health well-being counselling, specialised academic writing support, visa and immigration guidance, and orientation programmes that made transitioning to life in London seamless.

How Do You Rate SOAS, University of London Academically?

5/5 stars for world-class faculty specialising in Middle Eastern gender dynamics, critical theory, and intersectional research.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

Clarity of vision and a unique dual perspective. Coming from Amazon compliance while independently running women's rights campaigns proved that I bring structured, corporate policy expertise to social impact work. I provided a realistic, step-by-step 5-year roadmap showing how I would use UK master's training in gender studies to bridge systemic policy gaps in gender equity upon my return to Jordan.

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

I would start writing my essay drafts much earlier to avoid the final-week panic! I also spent too much time initially overthinking whether my experience was “grand enough” or letting outside doubts sneak in. If I could do it again, I would trust my unique trajectory from day one, remain completely confident in what I had to offer, and tune out any outside noise trying to bring me down.

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

Own Your Value & Block Out the Noise: Staying confident in what you bring to the table is half the battle. People might question a non-traditional career path or a sudden pivot, but if you believe in your mission and what you have to offer, don't let anyone's doubts slow you down.

• Focus on Impact over Corporate Titles: Chevening values potential and initiative over conventional job titles. Independent community work and grassroots activism carry immense weight when backed by measurable impact.
• Find the Link & Connect Your Skills: Don't view your corporate job and your passion project as separate worlds; be creative and find the link between them! Correlate your daily professional skills (like compliance, auditing, risk analysis, or operational efficiency) directly with your mission to show how your unique toolkit amplifies your social impact.
• Be Unapologetically Authentic: Don't write what you think the committee wants to hear. Write about what keeps you up at night and how you plan to fix it.