How to Win a Chevening Scholarship: Working Tips

Many Nigerian students have the dream to study abroad. And to make it easier for them, they opt for scholarship opportunities like Chevening.

However, applying for the scholarship doesn’t mean you will win it. In other words, if you don’t know how to win a Chevening Scholarship, your application effort may just be in vain.

So what then do you do?

We understand you have the dream to study in an environment that doesn’t in any way thwart your aspirations. And that is why we regularly give you news and tips on the necessary opportunities you need to take to improve your life.

This article is one of them. Therefore, you should keep reading as we give you amazing tips on how to win a Chevening scholarship.

For application details and where to apply, check the end of this guide!

What is Chevening Scholarship?

Chevening Scholarship is an international scholarship scheme that gives students with leadership qualities from more than 160 countries the opportunity to take up postgraduate courses in universities in the UK.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) alongside other partners in the UK and overseas sponsors this scholarship. The selection process for scholars takes about eight months from the application deadline to when candidates are conditionally picked for the award.

If you get this scholarship, you don’t have to worry about fees and other expenses. You will be given financial support to undertake a one-year Master’s degree in any university in the UK. That is, Chevening will give you your tuition fee plus stipends for your accommodation and other expenses.

Furthermore, you’ll also be able to partake in events and training that will help you grow a network of like-minded people all over the world.

Fields of Study Eligible for Chevening Scholarship

The following are the eligible fields of study for this scholarship:

• Politics
• Business
• Government
• The media
• The environment
• Religion
• Civil society
• Academia

Eligibility Requirements for Chevening Scholarship

Before you are deemed eligible for this scholarship, you need to meet these requirements:

• You must be a citizen of any of the countries eligible for this scholarship.
• You must have an undergraduate degree of at least Second class upper to be able to undertake a postgraduate study in any university in the UK.
• Have at least two years of work experience. It could be full-time, part-time, internship or voluntary work experience. This work experience can be done during or after completing your undergraduate studies. It does not include internships related to school work.
• You must have plans and goals for your future.
• You must have leadership qualities.

What You Stand to Gain from this Scholarship

You need to know how to win a Chevening scholarship because it comes with many benefits. When you win, you get to enjoy:

• Arrival allowance
• Tuition fees
• A grant that caters for your thesis or dissertation.
• Entry visa for you only.
• Monthly allowance that covers your accommodation and other expenses.
• Excess baggage allowance
• Trip to and fro your resident country through an approved route for you.

How to Win a Chevening Scholarship

Do you really want to win the Chevening scholarship? Then follow these tips we’ve outlined for you.

1. You Must be Eligible

This is very important otherwise your application will be in vain. If you don’t meet any requirements, make sure you do something about it before applying. Among the qualities needed for the application is leadership.

Every Chevening scholar has to demonstrate leadership qualities. That is, you should give instances to show you are proactive, innovative, a team player, a problem-solver, etc. It doesn’t necessarily mean you must have held a political position in the past.

In addition, your communication skills has to be top-notch. As a leader, you need to be able to communicate with people effectively. This has to be evident in your application and the interview too.

2. Select the Right Courses

Ensure the three courses you pick are the right ones for you. This is because you won’t be able to change them once you submit the application. However, if you are granted permission to do so at the interview stage, you could change it.

You will have to apply for your selected courses separately through the university.  You must select three related courses in three different universities. These courses must be full-time and they also should be in line with your career goals. However, before you win the scholarship, you have to get an unconditional offer for one of the courses you chose.

3. Write an Impressive Essay

This is the part where many applicants flop. Your essay is where you sell yourself to prove you are worthy of this scholarship. And if you meet all the requirements, you won’t have any issue writing your essay.

You are required to write four essays of about 500 words each void of plagiarism. The four essays focus on your leadership, networking, future plans and academic background. It is recommended that you don’t see these essays as being different from one another. Instead, look at them as different parts of one long essay.

And as such, every part should connect. In other words, your essay on leadership should connect with the one on networking. The one on networking should also relate to your future plans and your future plans should connect with your academic essay. All these should have a thread connecting them to one another.

In addition, don’t forget to state if you have volunteered for any organisation before. This will go a long way in laying emphasis on your leadership qualities and communication skills. Moreso, it will also help you make your essay impressive.

And when you’re done, don’t submit hastily. Get someone who knows how to win a Chevening Scholarship to proofread your writing for you. They’ll put you through especially if there are places in your essay where you derailed.

4. Use the Online Application System Correctly

You’ll be submitting your application online and as such you have to be careful. You will be required to regularly check the Online Application System for updates on your application status. To use the OAS, you are advised to:

• Use Chrome web browser for the best experience on a PC. While on the browser, don’t tap the ‘back’ and ‘forward’ buttons. This can disrupt your application and you may lose every unsaved detail you already entered.
• Enter accurate information with a valid email address. You can prepare all your details on a doc and copy and paste on the application form.
• Make sure you save as you input your details.
• Only upload JPG/PNG/PDF documents no larger than 5MB. And the length of file names must not exceed 50 characters.
• When you have confirmed that you have no errors, submit your application.

5. Prepare for the Interview

After submitting your essay and application, you may be shortlisted for an interview if your application impresses them.

If you are among the shortlisted candidates for the interview, you have to prepare beforehand. The interview will likely happen at the British Embassy or high commission.

In view of this, don’t be nervous at all. Remember that not every candidate was shortlisted and for you to have made it to the interview, means you did well. Hence, see it as a huge feat and be proud of it. Let this boost your confidence so you can really show the panel why you deserve to win the scholarship.

Relax when you get there. The panel won’t ask you strange questions save for what you included in your application. They’ll also ask you questions related to your goals and aspirations. And if you answer convincingly, Chevening will facilitate the achievement for you.

Now you know how to win a Chevening scholarship. Do not let this knowledge be a waste. If you found the article useful, you should give the scholarship a shot. There’s no harm in trying, you know.

However, if you don’t have plans to apply for the scholarship, do share with anyone you know who does.

How to apply for Chevening Scholarship

CLICK HERE to read the application details and begin your application!

Originally posted 2021-04-11 12:42:32.