How a Pakistani Marketing Professional Secured the Fully Funded Chevening Scholarship to Study Marketing Analytics at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom

My name is Ridha Shaukat Ali, and I’m from Pakistan. I have four years of professional experience in the marketing industry, having worn many hats while working in agencies, startups, and multinational companies. Right now, I’m pursuing my Master’s in Marketing Analytics at the University of Southampton, funded by the Chevening Scholarship. I chose to continue my education in this field because while I love the creative side of marketing, I realized I needed to upskill in data and analytics, the side of marketing that’s becoming increasingly important in today’s world.

Chevening Scholarship Details

I received the Chevening Scholarship, which is the UK government’s global scholarship program. It’s a fully funded opportunity that covers your entire tuition fee, visa application, airfare, and also provides a generous monthly stipend to support your living expenses in the UK. It’s truly a life-changing opportunity.

Educational Background

I did my undergraduate degree in Media Sciences from SZABIST University in Karachi, majoring in Marketing/Advertising. I also studied Comparative Public Policymaking and Leadership as a fully funded exchange student at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in the United States.

Personally, I have never believed that GPAs and grades make a huge difference. My CGPA was 3.12 in my bachelor's. My clarity about wanting to pursue a certain career path helped me a lot to apply for scholarships. I always knew I wanted to pursue a creative and strategic marketing career. After four years of working in the field, I felt it was time to expand my skillset, especially in data. You just can’t escape numbers anymore, and marketing is no exception. That’s why I chose to study Marketing Analytics at the postgraduate level while staying true to my field. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that having clarity really helps when applying for scholarships and competitive programs.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Southampton?

The great thing about Chevening is that it doesn’t require any standardized test. However, the universities you apply to might ask for IELTS, GRE, or GMAT scores. In many cases, you can get a waiver if you meet certain criteria. For me, my university required the IELTS exam. I prepared using YouTube videos and online websites. There’s so much free material available, and it really helps. Honestly, IELTS isn’t as scary as it seems. Once you’re awarded a scholarship like Chevening, everything else starts falling into place.

Chevening requires you to apply to at least three universities where your chosen program is offered. I was quite intentional with my choices and considered a few key factors. First, I looked at the global ranking and reputation of the universities offering my course. Secondly, location was a major consideration for me. I specifically wanted to be near London, because big cities open up a world of opportunities. Whether it’s networking events, conferences, internships, or simply being around a vibrant and diverse student community. Ultimately, I chose universities that aligned with both my academic and personal goals.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Chevening Scholarship?

My scholarship journey actually started long before I got selected. The first step was doing lots of research and looking at what scholarships are out there, what they require, and what kind of candidates they’re looking for. Every scholarship is different, so you have to tailor your approach. It’s also really important to be mentally prepared for rejection. These programs are highly competitive, and not getting selected doesn’t mean you aren’t good enough. Once I was done with my research and sure about the scholarships I wanted to apply for, I reached out to the scholarship recipients through LinkedIn and asked them for any tips and guidance to strengthen my application. Chevening also has a resource hub on its website that defines what each essay requires, and what they’re looking for. My biggest tip is to absorb information from everywhere. Be it videos, podcasts, blogs, just dig deep into everywhere you can. Once you get a grip of how your essays should look like, begin writing them and get them proofread by the alumni. Getting my essays reviewed by alumni was especially helpful because they gave feedback that made my application stronger and more aligned with what Chevening looks for.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think what really helped was understanding exactly what each essay was asking for and making sure my answers told a cohesive story. My application had relevance, structure, and most importantly: clarity. It is important to pen down your experience and journey in a way that flows like a cohesive story and seems relevant to the program you want to study. In my case, I had good experience in the field of marketing and community service. Rather than listing achievements, I tried to show how my experiences have shaped me and how I want to build on them through further education.

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

If I could go back and do anything differently, I’d probably start earlier and be a bit kinder to myself during the process. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or question whether you’re “good enough.” But looking back, I realize that every step the late-night edits, the doubts, the rejections was part of the learning curve. I would also try not to overthink every little detail. It’s so easy to get caught up in whether each sentence is perfect, or it sounds “impressive enough.” So if I had another chance, I would remind myself to trust the process a little more and stress a little less. In the end, the result is truly rewarding.

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

My first piece of advice would be to be really clear on what you’re passionate about and why you want to study that subject. Having clarity and a vision is like getting halfway through. Secondly, never hesitate to ask for help. Reach out to people, connect with alumni, make use of your network and ask for help as much as you can. You would be surprised how many people are willing to support you if you just ask. Those conversations can give you game-changing advice and boost your confidence in ways you can’t imagine.