The UK Government’s Chevening Scholarships 2024 are prestigious, fully-funded awards granted to international students for studying in the United Kingdom. This scholarship program is highly competitive, so to increase your chances of being shortlisted for an interview and ultimately securing the scholarship, it is crucial to adequately prepare for each step of the application process.
Applications for the 2024/25 Chevening scholarships are currently open, and it is strongly recommended that you familiarize yourself with valuable tips to enhance your application. This article aims to assist you in selecting the right course for your application, choosing suitable references, and avoiding common mistakes often made during the scholarship process.
It’s worth noting that all Chevening Scholarships recipients are typically required to accept the terms and conditions of the award. Applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review these terms and conditions even before submitting their applications. Additionally, you can visit the provided link to gain insights from the previous application phase, which will better prepare you for the upcoming stages.
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Guidelines for Chevening Scholarships 2024-2025 Application
Selecting the Right Courses
Carefully make your selection of three courses because once you’ve submitted your application, you won’t be able to alter your choices unless you receive special permission to do so during the interview phase. You will need to independently apply to the universities for your chosen courses, and it’s advisable to do this promptly to secure your spot. To be considered for a scholarship, you must obtain an unconditional offer for at least one of your chosen courses.
We recommend that applicants pick three courses with similar content at different universities. While the course titles don’t have to be an exact match, they should share similar subject matter. Your choices should align with your current or future career aspirations.
To meet the eligibility criteria, the courses you select must meet the following requirements:
- Full-time study
- Commence in the autumn term (typically September/October)
- Be taught master’s programs (not research-focused MRes programs)
- Lead to a master’s degree qualification
Courses cannot be:ÂPart-time; Distance learning; Less than nine months in duration, more than 12 months in duration; PhD or DPhil; Taught with more than one month of study outside the UK. Applicants are not permitted to enroll in pre-sessional courses to fulfil your university’s English language requirement or any other conditions of a university offer.
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Apply for a Chevening Scholarship
Unconditional offers:ÂThe Secretariat will need to see evidence of an unconditional offer from one of your three course choices in order to finalize your Chevening Scholarships.
Using the Online Application System
All Chevening applications must be submitted through the online application system (OAS). The OAS system will be used throughout the application and selection process. Applicants will be required to log back in at various points during the process to receive updates on your application status, or to submit documents.
Applicants are advised to:
1) Where possible when applying for Chevening Scholarship 2024, use the Google Chrome web browser, as this is recommended for the best experience. Using a laptop or PC is recommended, rather than a mobile or tablet.
2) When completing your application form, work in a full-sized window. It will make the application form easier to read in its intended format.
3) Don’t use your browser’s ‘back’ and ‘forward’ buttons. This will take you out of the system and you will lose all unsaved work.
4) Remember your username and password. This saves time when you want to log back into the online application system.
5) Enter information accurately, especially your contact details. Please ensure that you enter a valid email address.
6) The application form may take some time to complete, so consider preparing your answers offline and then pasting them into the online form.
7) Application questions have word counts. In the application form, there is a set of questions you are required to answer. Please adhere to the word count.
8) Save as you go! There is no automatic save function on the system and each session will close after 60 minutes.
9) You do not have to complete the form in one session
10) Do not plagiarize
11) Applications must be submitted in English. Any application not submitted in English is ineligible.
12) Check the size and format of the files you intend to upload and ensure they meet the requirement. The online system will only accept JPG/PNG/PDF documents of no larger than 5MB. Please ensure that the length of file names do not exceed 50 characters.
13) Only submit your application once you’re completely satisfied with it. When you are satisfied with your application, click the ‘Submit’ button.
14) Remember, you can only submit one application and we will only accept your first application.
References
References are an integral part of Chevening’s selection process. Applicants are to supply the names of two referees when they submit their application. Kindly note that Chevening will not contact your referees to complete or upload references. It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain and upload references on behalf of referees.
Applicants are to carefully select their referees who can comment on their general suitability to receive a Chevening Scholarship or Fellowship. They should be known to you, either in an academic or professional capacity and should not be relative or close friend.
The Chevening Interview
Applicants shortlisted to interview for a Chevening Scholarship will be invited to attend an interview in the city/town where the British embassy or high commission has a representation. The interview will be a competency-based panel assessment conducted in English. The interview panel will include representatives from the British embassy or high commission, who will use the global Chevening criteria to assess your answers.
Invited applicants will receive an email with instructions on how to book their interview. Interview slots are available on a first-come-first-served basis, so it is suggested that you book your slot as soon as possible.
Prior to attending the interview, applicants will be asked to upload their educational documents (copies of certificates and/or transcripts); two reference letters; a short biography that tells more about you.
While preparing for your interview, applicants will need to take their Passport/national ID to the interview.
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Avoid Common Errors
Applicants are to avoid the common errors that past applicants have made. They include:
- Pre-screen Error: Applicants must correctly answer all parts of the eligibility pre-screen to be able to access the application form.
- Application Form Errors: Applicants must correctly fill all parts of the application form to be considered eligible as only eligible applications will be processed. Below are the sections of the application form where applicants have made the most common errors:
- Personal details: Applicants who have dual citizenship from the United Kingdom cannot be considered for an award.
- Work experience: Applicants are required to have worked a minimum of 2,800 hours. Work experience is calculated automatically by multiplying the number of weeks worked by the number of hours worked per week.
- UK university: Applicants who registered for duplicate courses at the same universities cannot be considered for a scholarship. Applicants must select three different courses.
- Declaration: This section of the application form requires that applicants answer correctly to a number of statements to be considered eligible. If an applicant is not able to confirm that these statements apply to them, they will be deemed ineligible.
- Application questions word count: Applicants are to meet the minimum word count required in the essay questions to be eligible.
- Plagiarism: Applicants are to guard against plagiarizing any of their contents as all applications will be subjected to plagiarism test. Applicants are allowed to insert quotations but must acknowledge the source as they would in an academic essay.
- Use of English language: Applicants must complete all aspect of the application form in English to be eligible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Certainly, here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) for Chevening Scholarships 2024:
1. What are Chevening Scholarships?
- Chevening Scholarships are prestigious, fully-funded awards offered by the UK government to international students. These scholarships enable recipients to pursue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom.
2. Who is eligible to apply for Chevening Scholarships 2024?
- Eligibility criteria may vary by country, but in general, applicants must have a strong academic background, relevant work experience, and meet specific country requirements. Applicants should check the official Chevening website for detailed eligibility criteria.
3. When is the application period for Chevening Scholarships 2024?
- The application period typically opens in the summer (around August) and closes in the fall (around November) of the preceding year. Specific dates can be found on the Chevening website.
4. How do I apply for Chevening Scholarships 2024?
- Applicants must complete an online application form through the Chevening website. The application requires submitting academic transcripts, references, and a personal statement.
5. Can I change my course choices after submitting the application?
- No, you generally cannot change your course choices once the application is submitted unless you are granted permission to do so at the interview stage.
6. How many course choices can I make?
- Applicants are typically required to select three similar courses at three different UK universities. These courses should align with your career goals.
7. Is there an interview process for Chevening Scholarships?
- Yes, shortlisted candidates are usually invited for an interview. The interview is a critical step in the selection process.
8. When will I know if I’ve been awarded a Chevening Scholarship?
- Scholarship offers are typically sent out in the spring following the application period. Exact notification dates can be found on the Chevening website.
9. What does a Chevening Scholarship cover?
- Chevening Scholarships cover tuition fees, a monthly stipend, travel costs to and from the UK, and various allowances. The specific details may vary, so check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
10. What are the obligations of Chevening Scholars after completing their studies? – Chevening Scholars are expected to return to their home countries and contribute to the development of their nation. They are also encouraged to maintain an active alumni network with Chevening.
11. Where can I find more information and apply for Chevening Scholarships 2024? – You can find comprehensive information and access the application portal on the official Chevening website.