Chevening Scholarship Recipient, Zohra Jalal, Shares the Story of How She Applied for the Fully Funded Award to Pursue Her Master’s in Gender and Development at the University of Sussex

I am Zohra Jalal, a Chevening Scholar from Afghanistan. I grew up in a country where opportunities for girls are severely limited, and where education is often considered a privilege rather than a right. From an early age, I understood that pursuing higher education was not simply about personal growth, but it was an act of courage. While countless Afghan girls were denied the chance to continue their studies, I held on to the belief that it was possible to dream, to achieve, and to lead, and I committed myself to proving that those dreams could become reality.

My undergraduate journey was a defining chapter in my life. I graduated from Kardan University, one of Afghanistan’s leading institutions, with the highest GPA in my class, an achievement made even more meaningful given the social barriers that, at times, threatened to derail my education entirely. Yet I refused to let those challenges dictate my future. Beyond excelling academically, I immersed myself in student life, leading initiatives, organizing events, and proudly representing my university in national and regional competitions. My dedication earned me multiple awards and recognitions, celebrating not only my academic excellence but also my role as a changemaker among my peers.

My journey then expanded into international platforms. I was selected by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to represent Afghanistan in a cultural exchange programme in Japan, an experience that broadened my worldview and deepened my belief in the power of dialogue across cultures. In 2020, I became the youngest speaker at the United Nations Global Technical Meeting (GTM), where I spoke about the role of young people in driving change. Standing on one of the world’s most influential platforms, I carried with me the voices of Afghan youth and women, voices too often silenced in global conversations. That moment helped shape my identity as a leader committed to amplifying unheard voices and turning advocacy into action.

Alongside these academic and advocacy achievements, I built my professional career working with the United Nations and other international organizations. With UNDP and UN Women in Afghanistan, I supported programmes that advanced women’s rights and created opportunities for girls in some of the most challenging contexts. Later, with UN Women in Europe and Central Asia, I focused on youth empowerment and gender equality, helping to build inclusive spaces for the next generation of leaders. These experiences reinforced my belief that sustainable change begins with empowering women and youth and that leadership is about creating pathways for others, not just walking them yourself.

Chevening Scholarship Details

In 2024, I was awarded the Chevening Scholarship, the UK Government’s scholarship programme. Chevening is not only fully funded, but it is also one of the most competitive scholarships in the world. Each year, over 60,000 applicants from around 160 countries compete, but only around 1,500 are selected, with an acceptance rate of just 2–3%. In other words, fewer than 1 in 50 applicants succeed. Selection is based not only on academic potential but on proven leadership, influence, and a commitment to creating positive change in one’s home country.

Being chosen as a Chevening Scholar was more than a personal achievement; it was a powerful affirmation of my leadership, my commitment to empowering women and youth, and my vision for shaping a brighter future for Afghanistan.

Through Chevening, I pursued a master’s degree in Gender and Development at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex—ranked the number one institute in the world for development studies. IDS offered me not just academic excellence, but also the chance to engage with global thought leaders, refine my skills, and connect with a worldwide network of changemakers.

Educational Background

My undergraduate years at Kardan University, one of Afghanistan’s leading institutions, were a turning point in my life. I worked hard to maintain top grades and eventually graduated with the highest GPA in my class. That GPA was more than just a number; it reflected sleepless nights, the struggle of working part-time to cover my tuition, and the determination not to give in to financial or social pressures. Studying at Kardan, a university known for nurturing some of Afghanistan’s brightest students, gave me not only a strong academic foundation but also the confidence and drive to push myself further and contribute beyond the classroom.

Outside the classroom, I threw myself into activities that built both my leadership skills and my confidence. I organized events, represented my university in inter-university forums, and mentored fellow students. These experiences earned me several university awards for student leadership, and they taught me that real education extends beyond books; it is also about the communities we build, the challenges we embrace, and the platforms we create for others.

This strong academic and extracurricular foundation gave me the courage and credibility to aim for a global scholarship like Chevening.

How I Prepared to Apply to the University of Sussex?

Applying to international institutions was not a straightforward journey. I had to figure out every step on my own. The first challenge was identifying universities that offered the field of study I truly wanted to pursue. I spent hours searching online, carefully reviewing course offerings, and comparing programmes across different universities. I didn’t just stop at the degree titles; I went deeper, examining the modules of each programme, the university rankings, and even the location, trying to imagine where I could grow the most, both academically and personally.

This process required more than just research; it required me to present my background, professional experience, and academic achievements in the strongest way possible. I knew that to stand out, I had to show how my work with international organizations, my activism for women and youth, and my academic record all came together to reflect both excellence and purpose.

The effort paid off. I received offers from several leading universities in the UK, each recognizing not only my academic strengths but also the leadership and vision I brought to my applications. This stage of the journey reinforced a key lesson: when applying to competitive institutions, it’s not only about grades, it’s about showing the full story of who you are, the impact you’ve made, and the change you aspire to create.

How I Prepared for Chevening and What Made My Application Stand Out

The Chevening application process was more than just writing essays; it was a journey of reflection. It pushed me to pause and think deeply about my path: the leadership I had shown, the influence I had built, and the vision I carried for the future of Afghanistan. I knew that to stand out in such a competitive programme, I needed to present not just what I had done, but also why it mattered and how it connected to my commitment to women and girls.

In my essays, I highlighted my academic excellence, graduating with the highest GPA in my class, and my professional journey working with UNDP and UN Women in Afghanistan, and later in Europe and Central Asia, where I supported programmes focused on advancing women’s rights and empowering young people. Through this work, I saw firsthand how international organisations can help create opportunities in the most difficult contexts, and I learned how strong leadership, when combined with vision and persistence, can deliver real change.

What tied these experiences together was the fact that I was not applying for education only for myself. I wanted to gain the knowledge, networks, and tools to better serve Afghan women and girls, many of whom had been denied the chance to study, work, or lead.

This is what made my application stand out. Chevening looks for individuals who bring together academic excellence, proven leadership, and a vision for impact. My story reflected all three: a track record of academic success, recognition through awards for my leadership and initiatives, and professional experience supporting women and youth through the UN. The selectors could see that I was already delivering results and that with the support of Chevening, I was prepared to scale that impact even further.

Advice for Future Applicants

If you are considering applying for Chevening or any competitive scholarship, here is my advice:

• Be authentic. Don’t try to craft a story you think selectors want to hear; tell your real story, with both its struggles and triumphs. Authenticity is powerful, and selectors can always sense when your voice is genuine.
• Show leadership in action. Don’t just talk about your goals, demonstrate what you have already achieved and the impact you’ve made. Use real examples, no matter how small they may seem to you; they often reveal the most about your character and potential.
• Connect your past, present, and future. Make your application a clear narrative of growth and vision. Show how your background prepared you, how your current work demonstrates impact, and how the scholarship will help you take the next step forward.
• Start early. Preparing essays, references, and exams takes time. Give yourself enough space to refine your story, gather strong recommendations, and polish your application. A rushed application rarely reflects your best self.
• Stay resilient. Remember: Chevening is among the hardest scholarships in the world to get, with thousands of applicants but only a small number selected. If you don’t succeed the first time, don’t give up; many successful scholars applied more than once. Each attempt sharpens your story.
• Think beyond yourself. Chevening is not just about what you want to achieve; it’s about the change you want to create for others. Always frame your vision in terms of impact: how will your education benefit your community, your country, or the world?

If you are selected, know that you are not just winning a scholarship, you are becoming part of a global network of changemakers, people who are shaping their societies in meaningful ways.