Chevening scholarships

Chevening Scholarships are a well-known and respected program from the UK government aimed at developing future leaders and decision-makers all around the world. For motivated folks from Pakistan, it's a great chance to get a fully-funded one-year Master's degree at any UK university, along with networking and professional growth opportunities.

Supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and its partners, Chevening helps talented people with leadership potential and solid academic backgrounds. Since it started in 1983, the program has helped almost 60,000 professionals worldwide, with many from Pakistan, to get a great education and form lasting ties with the UK. Every year, around 50-60 students from Pakistan get Chevening Scholarships, making it one of the top countries for recipients.

Programs Offered

Chevening Scholarships primarily fund one-year Master's degrees at any UK university that fits the criteria. You can choose any field of study that aligns with your career goals and promotes Pakistan's growth.
Aside from Master's degrees, Chevening offers Fellowship programs in specialized fields like as journalism, cybersecurity, and leadership for professionals in the middle of their careers. These fellowships have their own regulations and are usually shorter. The Chevening Scholarship is ideal for Pakistani students interested in pursuing a Master's degree.

Benefits

A Chevening Scholarship is a great opportunity that takes care of most costs for your studies in the UK, so you can concentrate on learning and growing in your career. Here are some main benefits:

• Tuition Fees: Your university tuition is fully funded.
• Monthly Stipend: A generous monthly living allowance (stipend) that covers housing, food, and other living expenses. This pricing changes according to whether you study in or outside of London.
• Travel costs: Economy airfare to and from the United Kingdom from Pakistan.
• Arrival and Departure Allowances: Financial assistance for settling into and leaving the UK.
• Visa Application Fee: The cost of your UK visa application.
• Travel Grant: A travel grant to attend mandatory Chevening events in the United Kingdom.
• Exceptional Networking Opportunities: Gain access to exclusive events, seminars, speeches, and networking opportunities with fellow scholars, alumni, and prominent figures, allowing you to establish a formidable worldwide network.
• Leadership Development: The curriculum aims to develop leadership abilities, critical thinking, and a global perspective.
• Cultural Immersion: Opportunities to learn about and connect with the many cultures of the United Kingdom.
• Global Alumni Network: Upon graduation, you will join the prestigious Chevening Alumni network, a varied community of over 60,000 professionals from around the world.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for a Chevening Scholarship, Pakistani applicants need to meet certain criteria. Check out the official Chevening website for the latest details, but usually, these include:

• Citizenship: Be a Pakistani citizen who does not hold dual British nationality.
• Return to Home Country: Promise to return to Pakistan for at least two years after your scholarship ends. This is a basic premise of the Chevening Programme, which ensures that scholars contribute to the development of their home country.
• Academic Qualification: Hold an undergraduate degree that will allow you to enroll in a postgraduate programme at a UK university. This is usually equivalent to a UK upper second-class (2:1) honors degree. A four-year Bachelor's degree from Pakistan is widely considered equal.
• Work Experience: Have at least two years (or 2,800 hours) of experience at the time you submit your application. This can include full-time, part-time, volunteer work, and paid or unpaid internships.
• University Applications: Apply to three distinct approved UK university Master's courses and receive an unconditional offer from at least one of them by a set date (typically in July of the following year).
• No Prior UK Government Funding: Have not previously obtained a scholarship or support from the UK government to study in the UK.
• Not an Employee/Relative of HMG: You can't be a current or former employee (within the last two years) of His Majesty's Government, including British Embassies/High Commissions, the British Council, or any partner organization, and you also can't be related to anyone who works there.

How to Apply

Applying for Chevening Scholarships takes some work and needs you to pay close attention. Just follow these steps:

• Check Your Eligibility: First off, head to the official Chevening website to make sure you meet all the criteria if you're a Pakistani citizen. They have an eligibility checker that can quickly let you know.
• Research Courses and Universities: Next, find three Master's courses at UK universities that fit your academic background, work experience, and what you want to do in the future. Just make sure those courses are eligible for Chevening using their online course finder.
• Online Application: You submit the application completely online through the Chevening application portal.
  • Registration: Create an account and enter your email address and phone number.
  • Eligibility checker: Complete the eligibility questions.
  • Access code: Make a note of your unique access code; you'll need it to log in again.
  • Complete Application Sections: Make sure to fill out all parts of the application.
• Submit your Application: After you’ve filled out all the sections and gone through everything, go ahead and submit your application.
• Longlisting and Interview Invite: If your application makes it to the longlist, you’ll need to send in two reference letters and your academic documents. After that, you’ll get an invitation for an interview with the British High Commission in Pakistan.
• Get Your Unconditional Offer: If you make it through the interview, you'll need to get an unconditional offer from one of your three selected UK universities by a certain deadline, usually in July. This is a necessary step to get the scholarship.
• Final Award Confirmation: Once you meet all the requirements, you'll get your Final Award Letter (FAL) and can start arranging your visa.

FAQs

1. Is there an age limit for Chevening Scholarships?

Nope, there's no upper age limit for Chevening Scholarships. What really counts is your leadership potential and what you want to achieve in your career.

2. Do I need an English language test (IELTS/TOEFL) for the Chevening application?

You don't need an English language test for the initial application anymore. But you must meet the English requirements of the UK University you want to attend to get that unconditional offer. Most UK universities will ask for an IELTS score or something similar.

3. Can I apply if I don’t have an unconditional university offer yet?

Yes, you can apply for Chevening before you get an unconditional offer. But if you get shortlisted for the scholarship, you’ll eventually need that offer by a deadline.

4. Can I choose any course or university in the UK?

You can pick any one-year taught master’s program at any UK university, as long as it's eligible for Chevening. Check their course finder to make sure. Courses that align with Pakistan's development needs and your career plans are often viewed positively.

5. How many references do I need, and who should they be from?

You’ll need two professional references. They should come from people who can vouch for your leadership, academic skills, and work achievements, like a current or past employer, an academic supervisor, or a mentor.

6. What if I have dual Pakistani and British nationality?

If you have dual British nationality, unfortunately, you're not eligible for Chevening Scholarships. You need to be solely a citizen of Pakistan.

7. Can I defer my scholarship if I get it?

Generally, Chevening Scholarships are for a specific academic year and can't be deferred. There are rare exceptions, but they’re only for special circumstances.

8.  What’s the acceptance rate for Chevening in Pakistan?

Chevening Scholarships are quite competitive. Globally, the acceptance rate is about 2-3%. In Pakistan, around 1,500-2,000 applications come in each year, with about 50-60 students getting through. This shows how important it is to have a strong application.

9. Can I work in the UK while on a Chevening Scholarship? 

While you should focus mainly on your studies, Chevening usually allows you to do some part-time work or internships, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your studies or break any visa rules. Double-check this with the Chevening Secretariat once you get your award.

10. What happens after I finish my scholarship? 

After you finish your master’s, you need to return to Pakistan for at least two years. You’ll also become part of the Chevening Alumni network, which provides chances for networking, collaboration, and professional growth.