Frequently asked questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For Scholars

What does ‘Chevening’ mean?

What do Chevening Scholarship cover financially?

Where do I apply for a Chevening Scholarship?

What are the selection criteria for application

What types of courses can I study on a Chevening scholarship?

Can I study outside the United Kingdom?

Can I bring my family to the United Kingdom during my scholarship?

Can I work permanently in the United Kingdom once my scholarship is finished?

How easy is it to obtain a ‘Visa’ for my period of study in the United Kingdom?

What is the IELTS test and how do I apply to take one?

For Commercial Organisations

I represent a company or foundation in Britain. How can I contribute to Chevening, and what benefits will it bring my organisation?

How can my company or foundation offer short/long-term job placements/work attachments to Chevening scholars currently in the UK?

I represent a UK Higher Education Institution (HEI). How can I attract more Chevening scholars to my Institution?

What does ‘Chevening’ mean?

'Chevening House' is the name of the official country residence of the British Foreign Secretary. In 1994 Douglas Hurd, then Foreign Secretary, renamed the Foreign & Commonwealth Office's Scholarships and Awards Scheme - 'The British Chevening Scholarships Programme', after Chevening House. Chevening is now synonymous with prestigious scholarships to the UK.

What do Chevening Scholarship cover financially?

There are basically three types of scholarship;

Type A scholarships – these cover tuition fees only.

Type B scholarships – these are full scholarships that cover tuition fees, monthly stipend and various one-off allowances.

Type C scholarships – these vary from award to award and cover part/full stipend and/or allowances.

Where do I apply for a Chevening Scholarship?

You must apply to The British Embassy/High Commission or The British Council in the country of which you are a citizen. Please see the full country listing and select the country for which you are a citizen for the application procedure.

What are the selection criteria for application?

Competition for Chevening scholarships is intense, and only one in every 25 applicants is successful. A typical successful applicant would be:

A graduate with proven academic skills.

Committed to return to their country and contribute to the socio-economic development of their country through implementing the new skills and knowledge acquired in the UK.

Established in a career, with a track record of excellence and achievement, and the prospect of becoming a leader in his/her chosen field. The vast majority of Chevening scholars are aged 25 - 35 years old.

Be able to show at interview that they possess the personal qualities to benefit from their scholarship and use it to succeed in their chosen career.

Have a clear idea how their scholarship will benefit their country on their return.

Have good English Language skills, as most UK Higher Education Institutions require a minimum IELTS of 6.5 for admission onto Postgraduate courses.

The application procedure is open and transparent. Please refer to the country page of the country you will be applying to for further details regarding specific criteria and eligibility, which vary from country to county.

(Scholarships Worldwide)

What types of courses can I study on a Chevening scholarship?

Chevening scholars must study in the UK for at least 3-months. Most scholars already have a first degree and the majority study for postgraduate degrees particularly Masters courses. However some scholars cannot spare that much time away from their careers and we welcome applications for shorter vocational courses as long as they are adequately challenging and relevant.

We seldom fund undergraduate courses and normally only consider PhD's and MPhil's when we have a co-funding partner.

Chevening scholarships can be used to study most subjects, however in different countries they may target a narrower range of subjects that are especially relevant to that country. Please refer to the country page of the country you will be applying to for further definitive advice on priority subjects.

(Scholarships Worldwide)

Can I study outside the United Kingdom?

No. Chevening scholarships are only awarded for study within the United Kingdom. Sometimes courses include short study visits outside of the United Kingdom and these are permissible.

Can I bring my family to the United Kingdom during my scholarship?

We strongly advise that you do not bring any family members to the United Kingdom during the period of your scholarship. Most of your time will be spent studying for your qualification. The period of study is very intense and it is important that you are able to give it your full attention. Chevening scholarships are designed for single people and there are no additional allowances for partners, spouses, children or other dependants. Our stipends, which are offered at standard UK rates, are designed to allow you to live a comparable lifestyle to a single UK Postgraduate scholar (e.g. you should not expect to be able to run a vehicle etc.).

Can I work permanently in the United Kingdom once my scholarship is finished?

No. Although many scholars do take a short break or choose to attend their graduation ceremony before returning home, it is envisaged that Chevening scholars will return home and contribute to the development of their country by implementing the new skills and knowledge acquired in the UK. Chevening scholars agree when accepting their scholarship to return home at the scholarship conclusion. We do however encourage Chevening scholars to undertake work attachments in the UK when the opportunity arises.

How easy is it to obtain a ‘Visa’ for my period of study in the United Kingdom?

The Prime Minister has announced a more 'open-door' policy for international students. This initiative includes an improved service to help scholars meet immigration requirements, a streamlined visa process for scholars with completed applications and permission to stay granted for the whole course of study at the start.

What is the IELTS test and how do I apply to take one?

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. Your IELTS must be valid and can be taken by contacting The British Council or British Embassy/High Commission in the country that you will be applying to. For more information visit the web site.

http://www.ielts.org

I represent a company or foundation in Britain. How can I contribute to Chevening, and what benefits will it bring my organisation?

The British Chevening Scholarship Programme is always interested in developing further links with the Commercial Sector. Please contact Alan Hunt for further information and to discuss any possible proposals:

Mr. Alan Hunt
Sponsorship Advisor
Cultural Relations Department
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH

Tel: +44 (0) 207 270 6520
Fax: +44 (0) 207 270 5964

I represent a company or foundation based outside of the UK. How can I help support more scholars from my country or region to get scholarships to the UK and what benefits will it bring my organisation?

Please contact the Ambassador/High Commissioner of the country that you are based in. The contact details appear on the specific country page.

How can my company or foundation offer short/long-term job placements/work attachments to Chevening scholars currently in the UK?

If your company is based in England, Wales or Northern Ireland please contact BOND in Manchester. If your company is based in Scotland please contact SIRP in Edinburgh.

Mr. Martin Carney
BOND Scheme Manager
The British Council
Bridgewater House
58 Whitworth Street
Manchester M1 6BB

Tel: +44 (0) 161 957 7490
Fax: +44 (0) 161 957 7817

martin.carney@britishcouncil.org
www.britishcouncil.org/bond

Mr. Mark Simmons
SIRP Sceme Manager
The British Council
Scottish International Resource Programme
3 Bruntsfield Crescent
Edinburgh
EH10 4HD

Tel: +44 (0) 131 452 9789
Fax: +44 (0) 131 452 9757

mark.simmons@britishcouncil.org
www.britishcouncil.org/scotland

I represent a UK Higher Education Institution (HEI). How can I attract more Chevening scholars to my Institution?

There are no set quotas of Chevening scholars per Higher Education Institution. Chevening scholars are free to apply to, and accept places at, any recognised UK Higher Education Institution (providing that the HEI is offering the 20% contribution to tuition fees as agreed under the terms of the Prime Ministers Initiative). Most potential Chevening scholars use the Internet to research courses and so it is important that:

Your website is kept up-to-date with all relevant courses listed.

The course names contain key potential search words.

Courses clearly show course outlines and course content/modules.

The departments show profiles of teaching/academic staff.

Your quality ratings of the department are listed.

The website is easy to access and easy to navigate.