7 May 2024
Studying in the UK can be easier for international students with the help of Chevening Scholarships.
As these scholarships fund all the expenses, students can have peace of mind and focus on their studies without worrying about financial conditions. It is one of the popular scholarships for Indian students looking to study in the UK.
Many students hope to receive this support to ease their financial burden while studying for their master’s degrees in the UK.
These scholarships are available for students from other countries who want to study for one year in the UK. Depending on what they need, students can apply for different scholarships through the Chevening program.
In this blog, we will walk through the important aspects of Chevening Scholarships in the UK for international students.
Let’s get started!
What are Chevening Scholarships?
Chevening Scholarships are meant for students across the world who want to study in the UK for a year and earn a master’s degree. This scholarship covers all the costs, like plane tickets, where you’ll stay, your classes, and even some extra money.
Indian students can apply for different kinds of fellowships within this scholarship program which are
- The Chevening India Cyber Security Fellowship
- The Chevening Financial Services Fellowship
- The Chevening Gurukul Fellowship for Leadership and Excellence
- The Clore Leadership Fellowship
The UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) funds these scholarships. If you want to apply for one, you need to meet certain requirements, which we’ll talk about later.
What are the Benefits of Chevening Scholarships?
Chevening Scholarships offer invaluable support to international students pursuing master’s degrees in the UK. Being fully funded, these scholarships alleviate various financial burdens, making the educational journey smoother. Here’s how Chevening scholarships in the UK benefit international students:
Tuition Fee Coverage:
The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees, ensuring students can focus solely on their studies without worrying about academic expenses.
Travel Assistance:
Chevening provides economy class travel to and from the student’s home country via an approved route, facilitating smooth transitions for students.
Arrival and Departure Allowances:
Upon arrival, students receive an allowance to assist with settling into their new environment, while a departure allowance helps with the transition back home after completing their studies.
Visa Application Support:
The scholarship covers the cost of an entry clearance (visa) application, easing the financial burden associated with visa processes.
Healthcare Support:
Chevening offers a contribution of up to £75 for TB testing, if required, ensuring students’ health needs are addressed.
Additional Travel Allowance:
A travel top-up allowance is provided to assist with additional travel needs during the study.
Monthly Stipend:
Students receive a monthly personal living allowance (stipend) to cover accommodation costs and other living expenses. The amount varies depending on whether students study in London or elsewhere in the UK.
Eligibility to Get Chevening Scholarship
From a Chevening-Eligible Place:
You need to be a citizen of a country or territory that’s eligible for Chevening.
Plan to Return Home:
After your studies, you must go back to your home country for at least two years.
Completed Undergraduate Degree:
You should have finished all parts of your bachelor’s degree, so you’re ready to start a postgraduate program in a UK university.
Generally, this means you get good grades such as getting an upper second-class 2:1 honours degree in the UK. However, the requirements can change based on what you studied and where you studied it.
Work Experience:
For work experience, you should have at least two years of work experience, which is about 2,800 hours.
Applied to UK Universities:
You also need to apply to three UK university courses that are eligible for Chevening. Before the application deadline, you must receive an unconditional offer from one of these universities.
Qualifying Work Experiences for Chevening Scholarship Eligibility
To apply for Chevening scholarships, meeting various requirements is crucial, and one such requirement is having relevant work experience. Here are the types of work experiences that qualify for Chevening scholarships in the UK:
- Full-Time Employment: Working full-time in a job.
- Part-Time Employment: Working part-time while studying or alongside other commitments.
- Voluntary Work: Contributing your time and skills without payment.
- Paid or Unpaid Internships: Gaining practical experience in a role, whether paid or unpaid.
Course Eligibility for Chevening Scholarships
When choosing a course to apply for under the Chevening scholarship, students must ensure it meets certain criteria:
Full-Time Course:
The course should require full-time commitment.
Taught Programs:
It should be a taught program and not focused on research like MRes programs.
UK-Based Course:
The course must be located in the United Kingdom.
Autumn Term Start:
It should commence in the autumn term, typically in September or October.
Master’s Degree Outcome:
Completing the course should lead to obtaining a master’s degree qualification.
Chevening Scholarship Eligible Countries
- Afghanistan
- Angola
- Albania
- Afghanistan
- Bermuda
- Bhutan
- Brazil
- China
- Egypt
- Georgia
- India
- Iraq
- Iceland
Navigating the Selection Process for Chevening Scholarships in the UK
For Indian students eyeing the prestigious Chevening Scholarships in the UK, understanding the selection process is key. Here’s a breakdown of the timeline and stages involved:
Applications Open:
The application process kicks off in the first week of September, giving interested candidates the chance to fill out the form and submit their details.
Applications Closed:
By the first week of November, the application window closes, so it’s essential to get your application in before this deadline.
Eligibility Screening:
Applications undergo a thorough assessment against the eligibility criteria to ensure that only suitable candidates move forward in the selection process. This screening typically wraps up by early November.
Reading Committee Assessments:
Independent reading committees diligently review all eligible applications, assigning scores and rankings to each candidate. These assessments occur from mid-November to December.
Applicants Shortlisted for Interviews:
Following the reading committee assessments, selected candidates are notified and invited for interviews, typically taking place from early to mid-February 2024.
Submission of References and Documents:
Shortlisted candidates must provide two references and academic documents before their interview, usually by the second week of February.
Interviews:
Shortlisted candidates undergo interviews conducted by British embassies and high commissions, spanning from February to April.
Results Announcement:
Towards the end of June, the results of the interviews are revealed, marking a significant milestone in the selection process.
Offer Deadline:
Successful candidates, upon receiving their results, are required to submit an unconditional offer from a UK university by July.
Commencement of Studies in the UK:
With offers secured, international students awarded Chevening scholarships can prepare to embark on their academic journey in the UK, with studies typically commencing in September or October.
The Conclusion
Studying in another country can cost a lot of money, and students often look online for ways to study in the UK for free using scholarships. Luckily, there are Chevening scholarships in the UK that can help students ease their financial worries and study without stress.
Before applying, students need to make sure they meet all the requirements mentioned in the blog. The application process for these scholarships takes more than 8 months, so it’s a good idea to apply as soon as the applications open.
For more information about these scholarships, students can reach out to our UK study abroad consultants at Landmark Immigration.
