Australia Awards and Chevening Scholarship Recipient, Shahzad Khalil, Shares the Story of How He Applied for Fully Funded Awards to Pursue His Master’s Degrees at the University of Melbourne and University College London (UCL)

I am Shahzad Khalil from Pakistan, a public policy professional and strong advocate for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and SDGs, with expertise in strategic planning, policy research, SDG integration, financing, and SDGs data.

After completing my degree in Statistics from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, I began my career with the World Bank as a Consultant, stepping into the development sector with a focus on evidence-based policymaking.

In 2014–15, I pursued a Master’s in Public Policy & Management at the University of Melbourne, specializing in Policy Design, Public Management, and Governance. My decision to study public policy was shaped by my professional experiences with the World Bank, the Government of Pakistan, Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN), as well as my deep interest in understanding how governments design and implement solutions to complex social, economic, and environmental issues.

In 2021-22, I earned a Master’s in Global Prosperity from University College London (UCL). This choice was inspired by my leadership role for the SDG localization agenda in Pakistan from 2016–21 with UNDP, under the National Initiative on SDGs. The National SDGs Agenda strengthened my ability to critically assess current economic and social models, and to champion transitions toward sustainable development and inclusive growth.

Australia Awards and Chevening Scholarship Details

I am a proud recipient of two prestigious international scholarships that have shaped my academic and professional journey. In 2014–15, I was awarded the Australia Awards Scholarship by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia, to pursue my MSc in Public Policy and Management at the University of Melbourne. The fully funded award covered tuition fees, return airfare, living and establishment allowances, health insurance, and academic support, including orientation and fieldwork expenses—enabling me to deepen my expertise in policy design, governance, and public management.

In 2021–22, I received the Chevening Scholarship from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), UK, to study MSc Global Prosperity at University College London (UCL). This award fully funded my tuition, return airfare, monthly stipend, arrival and departure allowances, visa costs, and provided a travel grant for Chevening events. The program not only strengthened my understanding of sustainable development and inclusive growth but also expanded my global network and leadership capabilities.

Together, these scholarships have enriched my professional perspective, equipping me to drive meaningful policy change and sustainable development initiatives at both national and global levels.

Educational Background

I hold a degree in Statistics from Quaid-e-Azam University with a final grade of 62%. While grades matter—especially for top-ranked universities—I believe that attitude, motivation, and resilience are equally important. Strong professional experience can bridge the gap for average grades, as it did in my case.

Despite modest grades, I secured admissions to the University of Melbourne, LSE, and UCL, driven by my diverse professional journey with the World Bank, RSPN, UNDP, Save the Children (Australia), other INGOs, and the Government of Pakistan. These experiences strengthened my scholarship applications, enabling me to win prestigious, fully funded awards. Looking back, I wish I had also applied to Oxford and Cambridge—proof that aiming high is always worth the risk

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Melbourne and UCL?

One of the advantages of the Australia Awards Scholarship is that applicants do not need to secure admission themselves. Once you receive a conditional award letter, the Australia Awards team takes responsibility for securing admission on your behalf. You simply provide two university preferences in your application, and if selected, your admission is arranged for you. After the admission process is completed, you receive your unconditional award letter. The only key requirement at the application stage is IELTS, for which I prepared using online resources, and I was able to achieve the required score.

The Chevening Scholarship process, however, is different. Here, the applicant must independently secure admission and share an unconditional offer with the Chevening Secretariat. For my target institutions—LSE and UCL—I carefully studied all admission requirements, worked extensively on my Letter of Intent/Statement of Purpose, reached out to referees well in advance for high-quality recommendation letters, and had my drafts reviewed by alumni who had studied at these universities. Seeking guidance from Chevening alumni and thoroughly researching university websites proved invaluable. In my case, I was exempted from IELTS due to my prior degree from the University of Melbourne, an English-speaking country.

Finally, give your application your full dedication; it should reflect both your passion and purpose.”

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Australia Awards and Chevening?

With a Statistics degree from Quaid-e-Azam University and rich professional experience with the World Bank, RSPN, UNDP, and other INGOs, I overcame modest grades through preparation, focus, and resilience. For both the Australia Awards and Chevening Scholarships, I conducted intensive research to understand requirements, aligned my goals with each program’s vision, and used alumni networks for guidance. Alumni reviewed my essays and Letters of Intent, offering feedback that sharpened my story of leadership, impact, and future aspirations. I also leveraged online resources for IELTS preparation and to refine my applications.

In 2014–15, I earned the Australia Awards Scholarship for my MSc at the University of Melbourne; in 2021–22, I received the Chevening Scholarship for my MSc at UCL. Above all, my passion, dedication, and authenticity made my applications stand out

How is (was) Your Experience at the University of Melbourne and UCL? 

Studying at the University of Melbourne for my MSc in Public Policy and Management was a two-year, taught program combining academic theory with practical application. The structured, coursework-based format allowed me to build a strong foundation in policy design, public management, and governance, with ample time for classroom learning, peer interaction, and professional networking.

In contrast, the MSc Global Prosperity at UCL was a one-year, highly research-intensive program. Half of the degree—90 credit points—was mandatory research work, requiring independent inquiry, critical analysis, and sustained engagement with complex global development and sustainability challenges. Compared to UniMelb, UCL’s program was significantly more demanding in terms of pace, self-directed learning, and research output