British Chevening Scholarships for Commonwealth Country Students

INTRODUCTION

The Chevening Scholarship Programme makes awards to talented individuals who demonstrate the potential to become future leaders, decision makers and opinion formers. The awards enable Scholars to study a one-year postgraduate Master’s course in any discipline at any UK university.

Chevening Scholarships are funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, with further contributions from universities and other partners in the UK and overseas, including governmental and private sector bodies.

Applications for the 2015-2016 Chevening Scholarships, the prestigious global scholarship program of the UK government, opens on August 1.

Sponsorship duration is For one year

Chevening Scholarships are awarded across a wide range of fields; including politics, government, business, the media, the environment, civil society, religion, and academia in any UK University. Most scholars undertake a one year master’s degree.

The programme provides full or part funding for full-time courses at postgraduate level, normally a one-year Master’s degree, in any subject and at any UK university.

A full Chevening Scholarship award normally comprises:

payment of tuition fees;
   
travel to and from your country of residence by an approved route for you only;
   
an arrival allowance;
   
a grant for the cost of preparation of a thesis or dissertation (if required);
   
an excess baggage allowance;
   
the cost of an entry clearance (visa) application for you only;
   
a monthly personal living allowance (stipend) to cover accommodation and living expenses.
The monthly stipend will depend on whether you are studying inside or outside London. It is currently £917 per month outside London and £1134 per month inside London (subject to annual review).

Chevening Scholarships are for high-calibre graduates with the personal, intellectual and interpersonal qualities necessary for leadership. You will need to demonstrate that you:

  
have the personal, intellectual and interpersonal qualities necessary for leadership in your home country
   
are motivated to develop your career in order to establish a position of leadership in your own country within ten years of your Scholarship
   
have a clear post-Scholarship plan, outlining your career objectives and how you plan to achieve them
   
are committed to networking to find global solutions
   
are committed to networking within the Chevening community, via online engagement and attending Chevening events in the UK and engaging with the alumni network in your home country
   
are able to use your studies and experience in the UK to benefit yourself, your country and the UK
   
are capable of successfully undertaking and completing your proposed course of study in the UK



REQUIREMENTS

There are no age restrictions for Chevening Scholarships. To qualify for a Scholarship, you must:

demonstrate that you have achieved a minimum English language requirement (see below) at the time that you submit your application
   
be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country at the time of applying for the award, and intend to return there at the end of the period of study
  
hold a degree that is equivalent to at least a good UK second-class honours degree. Further information on UK degree equivalency can be found from UK NARIC
   
have completed at least two years’ work or equivalent experience by 30 August 2014

If you do not meet the above criteria please do not apply. Your application will not be considered.

English language requirement:
In order to apply for a Chevening Scholarship you must demonstrate that you have achieved a minimum level of English language ability at the time of application (unless you fall into one of the exemption categories below or if there are no English language test centres in your country and special arrangements therefore apply). The minimum English language requirement is as follows:

   
Academic IELTS:
   
Overall score – 6.5, with a minimum score in each component of: Listening – 5.5; Reading – 5.5, Speaking – 5.5, Writing – 5.5
   
Pearson PTE Academic:
Overall score – 58, with a minimum score in each component of: Listening – 42, Reading – 42, Speaking – 42, Writing – 42
   
TOEFL iBT: 
Overall score – 79, with a minimum score in each component of: Listening – 17, Reading – 18, Speaking – 20, Writing – 17

HOW TO APPLY

There is no coordinated global launch of the programme. British missions around the world will advertise Chevening separately, so timings will vary. Some Embassies will advertise as early as late autumn, while others will start as late as spring.

Before you apply:

You may check your local British Embassy or High Commission website, for details about how the scheme will operate in your country, including information about timings and whether criteria about areas of interest have been applied.

Making an application:

To apply for a Chevening Scholarship, you must complete and submit an online eChevening application form.

Please see Guidelines for Applicants before applying.

DEADLINE

Applications for the 2015-2016 Chevening Scholarships opens on August 1. The deadline is generally in December of each year (but specific dates vary from country to country). Select your country from link above for specific instructions.

PLEASE NOTE:
We recommend that you submit your application as early as possible – preferably well before the closing date for your country.

You must set out clearly in your Personal Statement on the application form how you believe you meet the Chevening selection criteria

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Chevening Scholarship programme was established in 1983 and is now an internationally prestigious scheme with over 42,000 alumni. The over 42,000 Chevening alumni around the world together comprise an influential and highly regarded global network.

CONTACT

For enquiries about applying for a Chevening Scholarship, please read the FAQs. If these do not answer your question, please email to info@chevening.org.