Invest in Chevening

The FCO and its overseas Posts have a wide range of partnership agreements with other bodies which provide additional funding for scholarships. These fall essentially into four types:

- FCO tripartite partnerships with private or third sector organisations and universities. Most FCO partnerships fall into this category. These scholarships are tied to the particular university, sometimes to particular courses.  They are open to candidates from an agreed group of countries, regional or global. Candidates apply direct to the university or the other co-sponsor (or to the British Council country office if the sponsor is not represented locally). Selection panels including the FCO shortlist candidates for interview by British Embassies or High Commissions. Final selection is made by the FCO and the co-sponsors;

- FCO bilateral partnerships with other organisations. These scholarships can be held at any university. They are open to candidates from an agreed group of countries. Candidates apply to the co-sponsor, which agrees with the FCO which candidates should be interviewed by Posts. Final selection is made by the FCO and the co-sponsor;

- FCO bilateral partnerships with other organisations, where the FCO and the co-sponsor agree in advance how many scholarships to offer to which countries. These scholarships can be held at any university. Candidates apply through e-Chevening. Final selection is made by the Embassy or High Commission selection panel, which usually includes a local representative of the co-sponsor;

- British Embassy or High Commission bilateral partnerships with local co-sponsors, including governmental or private sector bodies. Some agreements are for particular courses at particular universities. Final selection is made by the Embassy or High Commission selection panel, which usually includes a representative of the local co-sponsor.

Some co-sponsors may apply additional criteria in selecting scholars to suit their own interests. But the FCO applies the same criteria to all candidates for all schemes, however funded, to maintain the prestige of the Chevening Scholarship brand.