Places for a Chevening scholarship are incredibly competitive, they enable outstanding emerging leaders from all over the world to pursue one-year master’s degrees in the UK.
These scholarships are open to students from Vietnam and India and offer the chance of fully funded postgraduate study at any Welsh university. Chevening scholars can focus on achieving their academic goals while enjoying the experience of a lifetime.
Successful applicants will live and study in Wales for a year. It’s an unrivalled chance to develop professionally, academically, and personally, to grow your network, experience Welsh culture and build a lasting relationship with Wales and the UK.
With applications opening soon, we wanted to share some top tips for writing a strong application to give you the best chance of success!
- Start early: Give yourself plenty of time to research, prepare, and write your application. Last-minute rushes can lead to mistakes and a lack of thoroughness.
- Read guidelines carefully: Understand the Chevening eligibility criteria and the specific requirements for the course you're applying for. Make sure you adhere to the guidelines closely.
- Focus on leadership and networking: Chevening looks for candidates who not only excel academically but also demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to creating positive change in their home country. Emphasise your leadership experiences and explain how you plan to use your studies to make a difference.
- Create a strong personal statement: Your personal statement is crucial. Highlight your academic and professional achievements, goals, and the reasons you're an ideal candidate for the scholarship. Discuss how your chosen course of study aligns with your career aspirations and country's development needs.
- Show your impact: Use concrete examples to demonstrate how your past achievements have made a positive impact on your community or field. Quantify your accomplishments wherever possible.
- Tailor your essays: Adapt your essays to each question while maintaining a consistent narrative. Address each prompt directly, showcasing your strengths, experiences, and motivations.
- Explain any gaps: If you have gaps in your academic or professional history, explain them clearly. Whether it was due to personal reasons, further learning, or career changes, provide context to eliminate potential concerns.
- References matter: Choose references who can speak knowledgeably about your achievements, character, and potential. Provide them with information about your Chevening application so they can tailor their recommendations accordingly.
- Proofread thoroughly: Typos and grammatical errors can detract from your application's quality. Proofread multiple times and consider asking someone else to review your application as well.
- Show cultural sensitivity: Demonstrate your understanding of cross-cultural issues and the challenges your home country faces. Show that you can work effectively in a multicultural environment.
- Research the course and university: Familiarise yourself with the course content, faculty, and facilities at the chosen university in Wales. Explain how their offerings align with your academic and career goals.
- Plan your post-study return: Chevening Scholars are expected to return to their home country after completing their studies. Outline how you intend to apply the knowledge and skills gained to contribute to your country's development.
- Engage with the Chevening community: If possible, connect with current or past Chevening scholars to gain insights into the application process and the experiences of successful applicants.
- Use a structured approach: Organise your application logically, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a compelling conclusion. Maintain a coherent flow between different sections of your application.
- Seek feedback: Before submitting, ask mentors, teachers, or professionals you trust to review your application. Fresh perspectives can help you identify areas for improvement.
Remember that Chevening is highly competitive, so putting in the effort to create a strong and compelling application is essential. Good luck! Or as we say in Welsh pob lwc!
