The term “Chevening Scholarship” is not new to graduates and undergraduates who look forward and are taking steps to study abroad. Chevening Scholarship offers fully-funded master’s degree programs to students from various “Chevening-eligible” countries around the world.
This scholarship is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office as well as partner organizations. Since its creation in 1983, the program has so far represented the UK’s undying commitment towards developing future leaders.
Now, just before you admire another set of individuals who walk in and out of the British Embassy or High Commission office for their interview, it is expedient to be well equipped with the necessary knowledge for your application.
Here are three things to know about Chevening scholarships
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Chevening Scholarships are awarded to individuals with proven leadership potential and strong academic backgrounds.
You probably thought “anybody” could apply for Chevening Scholarships. Well, anybody can, but not everybody will be considered. Those who meet up with the qualification above are the only ones who will be considered and possibly selected.
Individuals who turn out to be Chevening scholars are not without ambition and leadership potential. They have to prove this with a strong academic background and an exceptional record of rising to prominent positions in their respective countries across various fields.
The scholarship is structured to support the public diplomacy of Britain overseas. According to reliable data on the official Chevening website, “Chevening offers a unique opportunity for future leaders, influencers, and decision-makers from all over the world to develop professionally and academically, network extensively, experience UK culture, and build lasting positive relationships with the UK.”.
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The scholarship funds 7 major expenses.
While many scholarships are characterized by the exclusion of tuition fees only, Chevening scholarships take care of more than that. These scholarships are complete scholarships. The fees are not subsidized. They are “completely” taken care of. It is a fully-funded scholarship and this explains the reason for careful and very few selections among thousands of applicants from each Chevening-eligible country.
These are the seven major areas funded by the scholarship body:
● University tuition fee
Chevening scholars have their university tuition fees taken care of. This is only one of the major areas funded by the scholarship. Individuals who get these scholarships do not have to worry about tuition fees. This is an opportunity for those who look forward to studying in any British University that seems “impossible” as a result of the cost.
Applying and eventually getting Chevening scholarships will take away the worries of university tuition fees of up to £18,000.
● Travel costs to and from the UK
Chevening scholars do not have to run helter-skelter for traveling fees after getting scholarships to study in the United Kingdom. These fees are taken care of by the scholarship body. After submitting the necessary documents, individuals who make it to the study list only have to pack their bags and bid farewell to family members. After the completion of their program also, the travel costs back to their respective countries will be sorted.
This particular feature makes Chevening a one-of-a-kind scholarship and places it as a first-choice for many applicants.
● Arrival Allowance
Each individual will receive an arrival allowance which will cover all necessary costs upon arrival in the UK. According to Chevening.org, “Your arrival allowance covers any expenses incurred on your arrival in the UK. You will receive this allowance on your cash card.
“You may wish to use this allowance to cover any excess baggage requirements you might have on your flight to the UK (otherwise you should travel within airline limits where possible) along with the cost of getting from the airport to your university, and the police registration fee if required.”.
● Monthly stipend
The payment that Chevening provides to cover monthly living and maintenance costs is called a “stipend”.
This is intended to cover reasonable living costs in the UK while studying full time and it is calculated to cover only basic expenses. These basic expenses include accommodation, meals, personal expenses, phone bills, daily travel, and any required course resources. Scholars are also required to use their stipend to cover the cost of NHS charges for prescriptions, dental treatment, and opticians.
Chevening stipends are calculated to start from your course start date which is given in your final award letter and will continue to be paid for 12 months or until your course end date, whichever is the shorter.
A stipend is only paid to you when you are studying in the UK and for the duration of your course. For example, if your course started on the 17th of March, you would receive a prorated stipend for the remaining 14 days of March. This will also be the case at the end of your award: for example, if your course end date is 3 November, you will receive a prorated stipend for three days in November only.
Your stipend may stop earlier than stated in your final award letter where:
i. Either you or the university have confirmed that the course finishes sooner than expected, or
ii. You elect to end your studies by returning home before the end of the course. Stipends differ for students staying in London and those staying outside London.
● Homeward departure allowance
The homeward departure allowance is designed to be used towards excess baggage payments on your homeward-bound flight. This will be paid along with the final stipend once you have been confirmed to have booked your flight home through the designated travel agent.
● Visa costs
Individuals who get Chevening scholarships are not required to pay for their visas. This cost is fully funded by the scholarship.
● Attendance of the Chevening events in the UK
There are mandatory Chevening events that must be attended by recipients of these scholarships and the funds are fully taken care of.
According to data on Chevening’s official webpage, the cost of traveling to and from Chevening events has been factored into Chevening stipends, which are designed for all living costs including domestic travel. However, Chevening also provides some scholars with an ‘events travel top-up allowance’ which is an additional contribution to the cost of travel to and from mandatory Chevening events.
The Chevening events travel top-up will be made as a one-off payment, and if you are eligible it will be automatically included with your first payment from Chevening onto your cash card.
Top-up amounts vary and are based on the location of your university as well as event locations throughout the year.
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Chevening Scholarships Can Be Terminated.
The final thing to note about Chevening Scholarships is that can be terminated.
The fact that an individual won a Chevening scholarship does not mean the course will be completed. There can only be successful completion of a course if there is no termination of the scholarship. Here are a few things that may lead to the termination of the Chevening Scholarship:
i. Dismissal from the university: University authorities are not required to condone certain unacceptable behaviors from Chevening scholars simply because they won a scholarship. The same rules and practices that apply to other students also apply to them and this includes dismissal from the university if the occasion arises for it.
ii. Breach of UK law and practices.
iii. Failure to make progress in studies.
iv. Misconduct, whether in connection with your study or otherwise.
Chevening applicants are required to get as much credible information as possible before applying for the scholarship as this will help them make better decisions regarding the scholarship. Understanding these three key areas of this scholarship program is a great way to begin.
