As an international student, studying in the UK comes with its challenges, especially in finance. This is why several scholarships are available, and the fully funded Chevening Scholarship for international students is one of them.

Chevening Scholarship for International students is a prestigious international scholarship program funded by the UK government to support outstanding individuals pursuing a master’s degree in the United Kingdom. The program is a fully funded scholarship covering tuition fees, living expenses, and other related costs. Thus, giving you more room to focus on your studies.

In this article, we will delve deeper into the fully funded Chevening Scholarship for international students, highlighting its eligibility criteria, the application process, benefits, and more. Let’s get into it straight away. 

About Chevening Scholarship?

The Chevening Scholarship is a prestigious international scholarship program that offers fully funded scholarships to outstanding scholars around the globe to study master’s in the UK. In addition to being outstanding, the scholars must have leadership potential. The program receives funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organizations.

The scholarship covers your tuition fees, travel expenses, living expenses, and other associated costs for a one-year master’s degree program at any participating UK university. The program also offers a range of exclusive opportunities and activities to help you develop your skills and expand your networks.

The Chevening Scholarship Program started in 1983. It was formerly named the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Awards Scheme (FCOAS). However, the motive has remained the same: to build global networks with potential leaders.

Later in 2004, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK government established a Chevening Fellowships Scheme. The Fellowships Scheme also has the same goal as Chevening Scholarship, only that it targets professionals already in leadership positions.

More than 50,000 scholars have benefited from the Chevening Scholarship, from the time of its inception till now. Many scholars have gone on to become top world leaders. 

The fully funded Chevening Scholarship is open to international students from 164 countries, cutting across all Continents.

 

Why Apply For Fully Funded Chevening Scholarship For International Students?

As an international student, there are many reasons why you should consider applying for the fully funded Chevening Scholarship. We have highlighted some of the top reasons below:

#1. Financial Support

The Chevening Scholarship provides full financial support to cover tuition fees, living expenses, travel fares, and other expenses during your studies. As a result, you don’t have so much financial burden, giving you more time to focus on your studies.

#2. Prestige

The Chevening Scholarship is a highly prestigious scholarship recognized worldwide. Being a Chevening scholar enhances your academic and professional profile, making you more competitive in the job market.

#3. Career Opportunities

As a Chevening scholar, you have exclusive access to a vast network of influential leaders and professionals in various industries. You can leverage this network to build meaningful connections, and gain industry insights, by and large, opening doors to career opportunities.

#4. Cultural Exchange

Another benefit of the Chevening Scholarship is the unique opportunity to experience diverse cultures and build cross-cultural understanding. You will have the chance to meet people from different backgrounds, learn about their cultures, and share yours with them.

#5. Personal Development

Altogether, studying in a different country can be a life-changing experience that helps you develop new skills, perspectives, and personal qualities. Through the Chevening Scholarship, you have a supportive environment that fosters personal growth and development, helping you become a well-rounded global citizen.

How Much Is Chevening Scholarship Worth?

The value of the fully funded Chevening Scholarship for international students varies depending on the country of application and the specific academic program (For example, an MBA scholar will receive up to $22,000 to cover tuition). However, as the title implies, it is a fully funded scholarship. As a result, the scholarship covers all educational expenses. These expenses include tuition fees, return flights to the UK, and also other living expenses. 

You receive a monthly living allowance, which varies depending on factors such as the cost of living in the UK and the course duration. However, the living allowance would be enough to cover your basic expenses. You can rest assured that it covers accommodation, food, and transportation.

In summary, the benefits you receive from the Chevening Scholarship include:

Eligibility Requirements For Chevening Scholarship

As much as the UK Government seeks to reach out to many students through the Chevening Scholarship for international students, not everybody is eligible to apply. There are certain criteria you would need to meet as an applicant. We have listed them below: 

Ineligibility

Conversely, you are ineligible for the Fully funded Chevening Scholarship if you are;

• British or have dual British nationality.
• Refugee in a non-Chevening eligible country.
• An employee or former employee of Her Majesty’s Government or a relative of an employee of Her Majesty’s Government.
• A member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities’ staff.
• Previously studied in the United Kingdom on a UK Government-funded scholarship.

Required Documents for Chevening Scholarship

The application process is very competitive indeed and requires you to submit certain documents. We have listed the required documents for the Chevening Scholarship application below. They include: 

• Passport or national ID card
• A university degree certificate(s) and transcript(s)
• A minimum of two reference letters
• A Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume
• A personal statement or statement of purpose
• English language proficiency test scores (if applicable)
• Conditional offers for proposed courses of study (up to three).
• Unconditional offers for proposed courses of study (up to three) (By July 13, 2023, you must have uploaded at least one unconditional offer).
• Optional documents such as certificates of achievements, publications, or other supporting documents, as determined by your country and school.

What Is The Acceptance Rate of Chevening Scholarship?

The acceptance rate of any scholarship simply means your chances of gaining that scholarship. You might be wondering what your chances are with the Chevening Scholarship. 

Of course, this is something to worry about. However, we must state that the acceptance rate for the Chevening Scholarship varies from year to year and depends on various factors such as the number of applications received and the quality of the candidates. 

In general, the competition for the scholarship is very high, and the scholarship committee selects only a small percentage of applicants for the award. According to Chevening itself, the acceptance rate is only 2-3%.

In essence, the selection process for the fully funded Chevening Scholarship is highly competitive. The scholarship committee looks out for candidates with outstanding academic achievements, leadership potential, and commitment to contributing to their home country after completing their studies. Thus, give your all to your application in order to stand a chance.

What Is The Selection Process For Chevening Scholarship?

The selection process for the Chevening scholarship for international students is indeed a rigorous one. Your applications go through several desks before the scholarship committee can decide. We have highlighted the stages involved below:

#1. Eligibility Phase

The first step is the eligibility phase. In this phase, the Chevening Secretariat in London tests your application against the most important eligibility criteria, which are:

• You have an undergraduate degree. 
• You have two year’s work experience 

#2. Further Testing

After the eligibility phase, the reading committee carries out further testing. This time, the testing determines whether you meet the Chevening, FCDO, and regional objectives. 

The goal of this phase of further testing includes:

• They want to know that you can influence people positively. You would have significantly stated examples of how you influenced people in your application. 
• They want to ensure you are capable of building professional networks.
• The reading committee wants to ensure you are knowledgeable about the course you wish to study.
• They want to know how you intend to achieve the career goals you stated in your application. Hence, your goals must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely.

#3. Scrutiny From Academic Advisers

In this third stage, academic advisers from your desired institution sit over your application to know if you have background knowledge on your chosen course. Furthermore, they confirm if your desired institution has the facilities to groom you adequately in your chosen field.

#4. Interview

This last stage only comes if you have had a good score from the preceding checks. If so, the Local British Embassy will invite you for an interview. The Local British Embassy, together with the local partner organization, selects the final candidates for the scholarship. 

Also Read: Top 20 No-essay Scholarships to Apply To

How To Apply For Chevening Scholarship

There! You are all set up for a bright future. At this point, we recommend you resort to your favorite things to ease off the tension while you wait for the result of your application. 

Application Deadline

The deadline for application is November 1 at 12:00 GMT (Midday).

Mistakes People Make While Applying For Chevening Scholarship

Applying for the Chevening Scholarship can be a complex process. There are several common mistakes that applicants make. We have highlighted some of them below to help you avoid them:

#1. Not Researching the Eligibility Criteria

If you fail to read and understand the eligibility criteria before applying for the Chevening Scholarship, you may not realize you didn’t meet all the requirements. This can result in the rejection of your application at the first stage. 

#2. Not Providing Complete and Accurate Information

You need to provide complete and accurate information in your application forms. You must also provide appropriate and correct answers to the essay questions. 

#3. Not Following the Application Instructions

If you fail to read and follow the application instructions, you may end up not completing all sections of the application form, or filling them wrongly.

#4. Not Demonstrating a Clear Understanding of Your Chosen Course of Study

Chevening requires you to demonstrate a clear understanding of your chosen course of study and how it relates to your career goals. You can express this through a well-written personal statement and other supporting documents.

#5. Poor Writing

When drafting your scholarship essay, make it top quality. It should also be easy to read and understand. This essay is a crucial part of the application process. You need to use this opportunity to showcase your personality, experiences, and achievements, and how your career goals relate to your chosen course. 

#6. Plagiarism

Certainly, plagiarism is a big turn-off in any form of writing. It becomes even more appalling when it shows up in an essay you intended to use to gain a scholarship. Chevening reviews all applications using plagiarism software, hence no plagiarism will go unnoticed. At this point, it is needless to state that your essay should be 100% original.

FAQs on Fully Funded Chevening Scholarship For International Students

Can I apply for a Chevening Scholarship if I have already accepted a Chevening Fellowship?

You are only eligible to apply for a Chevening Scholarship 5 years after the completion of your Chevening Fellowship.

Can I stay in the UK after my scholarship program is over?

Chevening has a policy that demands you return to your home country in order to implement your set goals.

What if I made a mistake in the spelling of my name during the application?

If you made a minor error in your application such as a name misspelling, reach out to Chevening via the contact info on their website once the application window closes.

Can I still apply to Chevening if I don’t have a valid passport?

You can go ahead with your application even without a valid passport. However, if selected, you should provide a valid passport to the Local British Embassy during the interview.

Do I still pay for my visa as a Chevening scholar?

Chevening scholars do not need to pay any visa fee or Immigration Health Surcharge. They are part of the scholarship package, and so come at no cost. 

What Is The Selection Process For Chevening Scholarship?

#1. Eligibility Phase

The first step is the eligibility phase. In this phase, the Chevening Secretariat in London tests your application against the most important eligibility criteria, which are:

• You have an undergraduate degree. 
• You have two year’s work experience 

#2. Further Testing

After the eligibility phase, the reading committee carries out further testing. This time, the testing determines whether you meet the Chevening, FCDO, and regional objectives. 

#3. Scrutiny From Academic Advisers

In this third stage, academic advisers from your desired institution sit over your application to know if you have background knowledge on your chosen course. Furthermore, they confirm if your desired institution has the facilities to groom you adequately in your chosen field.

#4. Interview

This last stage only comes if you have had a good score from the preceding checks. If so, the Local British Embassy will invite you for an interview. The Local British Embassy, together with the local p

Can I apply for a Chevening Scholarship if I have previously studied in the UK?

Applicants who have previously studied in the UK are eligible to apply for a Chevening Scholarship. However, if you have already received funding from the UK government, you may not be eligible.

Do I need to have an offer from a UK university before applying for a Chevening Scholarship?

While you can apply for the Chevening Scholarship before receiving an offer from a UK university, if you are selected for the scholarship, you will need to have received an unconditional offer from a UK university by a certain deadline.

Conclusion

The fully funded Chevening Scholarship is a great way to get funding for your master’s program in the UK. The scholarship process may be rigorous and competitive. However, with careful planning and preparation, you can put up an excellent application, setting you on your way to a brighter future.

Reference

• chevening.org – Chevening Scholarship for International Students
• study-uk.britishcouncil.org – Fully funded Chevening Scholarship
• scholars4dev.com – Chevening Scholarship in the UK for International Students