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The clock is ticking and there is little over a month and a half to submit your Chevening Application. Over the past few weeks, I have received messages from people across the world who would like some input and tips to ensure that their application is well thought through and put together. This article answers the questions I have received predominately and speaks to some of the things I did in my own application. This is part 1 of the series of articles to answer some of your questions.
Applying for the Chevening Scholarship Series
Three Years a Charm: Becoming a Chevening Scholar
Part 1: Applying for the Chevening Scholarship (FAQ)
Part 2: Applying for the Chevening Scholarship (Essay Tips)
Side Note: I applied for the Chevening Scholarship for three consecutive years, over the years I was able to better my application each year, until I was able to get the scholarship for the 2020/2021 cohort. I made ample mistakes over the first two years, and these tips will highlight some of the things I did wrong and highlight some the things I eventually did right.
I too, will plug you with extra reading material, as most questions I received are answered in articles I read, Youtube Videos I watched, and the Chevening Website itself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Chevening Scholarship?
The Chevening Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship to pursue a taught masters degree at a United Kingdom-based university. In order to be eligible for the scholarship, you should have an undergraduate degree, which sets you up to be able to apply for a taught masters degree in the UK (you cannot apply for a part-time masters degree or distance learning masters degree). The only exemption to obtaining a Chevening scholarship for a course that is not a masters degree is to pursue a postgraduate diploma at the University of Oxford. The Chevening Scholarship caters to your tuition fees, living stipend (which includes accommodation), flights, and visa application fees.
To apply for the Chevening Scholarship - click here.
Am I eligible to apply for the Chevening Scholarship?
In order to verify if you are eligible to apply for the Chevening Scholarship, you will need to peruse the Chevening website to determine whether you are from one of the 160 countries and territories listed. There is no age upper age limit to applying for the scholarship, however, you must have obtained an undergraduate degree.
To determine whether you are eligible for the scholarship - click here.
To determine if I am from an eligible country - click here.
What documentation do I need to apply?
You will be required to fill in an online application that highlights your background, education, working experience (minimum two years) and references. You will need to upload a valid Identity document/valid passport, tertiary education transcript and certificates, three university choices and courses, four essays, and a list of two references. You will later be required to submit one unconditional offer letter from one of the universities you chose and English test results.
Documents to prepare:
Valid Identity document/valid passport
Work experience
Minimum of 2 years work experience (minimum of 2,800 hours)
Tertiary education transcript
Tertiary education certificates
Three university choices and courses
Four essays
Leadership and Influence
Networking
Career Plan
Studying in the UK
Two references
Documents to submit later (before June the subsequent year):
One unconditional offer letter from one of the universities you chose
English test results
For more on the application timeline - click here.
Will I need to write an English test?
You will be required to prove that you speak English by submitting your IELTS Academic results with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and a minimum score for each component of 5.5. You can register to take the IELTS test with your home British Embassy. You can also submit the TOEFL or PTE Academic test.
For more on the English requirement - click here.
Will my chosen university have to be in the UK?
Yes, your chosen university will have to be based in the United Kingdom and has to be listed on the eligible university list, which are partner universities. You will be required to choose three universities that you will apply to in the application process. The important thing to note is that the entry requirements for each university you choose may differ. It is also not guaranteed that you will get admission to the universities you choose. Start the application process to the three universities you choose as soon as possible, this is to ensure that you secure a place at a university before the interviews happen. In the past, there have been applicants who had to forfeit their scholarship, because they were unable to secure a university.
To find out which universities are eligible - click here.
When does the Scholarship commence?
With each year of applications, you will be required to take up the scholarship in line with the start and end date of your university academic year. However, in the event that you apply for the 2021/2022 Chevening Scholarship and you are granted the scholarship, you will be required to complete your studies in the same academic year of 2021/2022. There are very slim chances of being able to defer your scholarship, and those are very special cases and they are rare. Usually, the university academic year in the UK is September to July the following year. These differ slightly from university to university.
What makes for a strong application?
The Chevening scholarship is primarily looking for future leaders, people who are ambitious and have a strong academic background. In order to have a strong application, you will have to truthfully (DO NOT PLAGIARIZE) portray your strengths and give active examples of exceptional work done in your field of expertise. You should show an active ability to lead and be solution orientated. Your essays are through which you tell your story, show that you are a passionate individual and that displays how your work impacts change in your community.
These are some of the frequently asked questions I received from a variety of people. However, I have not explained the one important question I received in this article, which is how to write exceptional essays for the Chevening application.
TO APPLY - click here.
I will answer "how to write exceptional essays for the Chevening application" in Part 2.
Additional Reading Material:
Thank you for reading.
In the event that the above does not answer the questions you have, find me on social media and ask away.
Goodluck. Remember, if at first, you do not succeed, try, try again - Zen Cho
From One Powerhouse to another
With Love,
Mavis
Twitter - @MavisBraga
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Website - www.mavisbraga.com