Applying for Chevening? Here’s My Experience.

I’m a Chevening Scholarship alumna from Jordan. I want to share my experience because I believe that education is one of the most valuable gifts anyone can receive.

Many people, especially women, reach out to me every year, and often see the hesitation that stands between them and a degree that could profoundly impact their futures. Below, I’ve briefly outlined my tips and recommendations. I hope they encourage you or someone you know to apply.

About Chevening

Chevening is a fully-funded scholarship that supports students from around the world to study in the UK for a year to complete their Master’s degree.

Scholarship recipients have their tuition fees fully covered, along with a stipend, health insurance, visa and travel support, and access to networking and community engagement opportunities during and after the Award. Chevening is funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

My Chevening Story

I first heard about Chevening while I was pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in Amman. At the time, I had multiple jobs and was pushing to complete my degree a year early. In hindsight, I realize it was a formative period in my life.

I didn’t know anyone who had received the scholarship before, and it seemed like a long shot, but I decided to go for it and focused on building a strong portfolio.

At 23, after a couple of years in the workforce post-graduation, and some time spent doing student jobs and volunteering while still studying, I was awarded the Chevening Scholarship. The same year, I applied to four other scholarships, but ironically, I was only accepted into the most competitive one, Chevening, to pursue a Master’s degree in the UK.

London offered countless opportunities, providing a truly transformative experience that has profoundly impacted my career, friendships, worldview, and aspirations. I vividly remember where I was and how I felt when I found out I had been accepted. Overjoyed, I knew I was about to embark on a journey to study my chosen program: a Master’s in Media, Campaigning, and Social Change at the University of Westminster. It was the perfect bridge between my Bachelor’s in Marketing and my work in non-profits.

During my Chevening year, I spent countless hours exploring London’s streets, admiring the beautiful scenery, architecture, and vast parks and public spaces. I was amazed by the accessibility to art, museums, and the thousands of archived materials available to students. These resources helped me make connections and fill gaps in the narratives familiar to me, especially with the influence and the documentation done by the workers’ movements, and feminist, environmental, and Black Culture groups on many critical debates about shared histories.

The natural beauty of the UK captivated me — the meadows and hills seen from trains, and the rich diversity in people, food, music, and experiences.

To this day, some of my closest friends, whom I consider family, are fellow Chevening Scholars or people I have met during my Chevening year, and the degree played a major role in accelerating my career and connecting me to an exceptionally broad network.

Before You Apply

• Eligibility: first and foremost, verify if your country is eligible for the Chevening Scholarship. Unfortunately, scholarships for Afghanistan are not available for the 2025/2026 academic year. You also cannot apply if you possess the UK citizenship. Refugees from eligible countries in eligible countries can apply.

• No Age Limit: There’s no age limit for Chevening. The scholarship encourages applicants with more experience since they tend to have a clearer sense of their path. Most applicants are in their twenties and thirties, but that shouldn’t stop you from applying if you’re older.

• Plan Ahead: Plan your application as far in advance as possible. Chevening is an annual scholarship. If you apply in this cycle, it will take about 9 months until the next academic year to get to the UK and start your studies, as you’ll go through an essay assessment and then an interview. Here is the official timeline.

• Experience Requirement: You need at least two years of work experience to apply for Chevening. This can include volunteering and internships.

• Bachelor’s Degree: You must hold a Bachelor’s degree.

• University Application Fees: Most UK universities don’t require an application fee, but some do, typically ranging from 90 GBP to 150 GBP or equivalent. Chevening doesn’t cover these fees.

• English Proficiency: You must have a sufficient level of English, fluent enough to study, write, and communicate in an academic setting where many speakers are native.

• IELTS Requirements: While you may not be asked for it immediately, you’ll eventually need to provide an IELTS certificate. A score between 6.5 and 7 is required for most majors. Chevening doesn’t cover the cost of IELTS examinations.

• Return Requirement: Chevening Scholars must return to their home countries for at least two years after completing their studies. Exceptions have been made for those from regions experiencing civil unrest or other pressing conditions. Some scholars later returned to work in the UK after fulfilling this requirement.

Further criteria can be found here.

Must-knows

• Study Anywhere in the UK: You can apply to study anywhere in the UK, including Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

• No PhD Funding: Currently, Chevening does not offer funding for PhD programs, but it does have several fellowship programs with a professional focus.

• Stipend Considerations: The Chevening stipend is sufficient to cover living expenses, but it may not allow for substantial savings. Stipends vary depending on the cost of living in the location where you study.

• Previous Master’s Degrees: you can still apply for a second master’s if you already have one (although you cannot apply twice to Chevening if you have already been awarded the scholarship), but you will need to provide a justification for why you want to pursue a second master’s.

Tip: Don’t limit your search to major cities. Every location has its pros and cons. Consider student life, life quality, and the resources you’ll get access to.

Application Tips

Questions on Leadership and Suitability:

• Create a Narrative: Your application should have a clear narrative connecting the following: a. your past experiences, b. current endeavors, and c. future goals. Demonstrate how your previous work and achievements align with what you intend to do with the degree you’re applying for. To craft this, you will need sufficient knowledge about your intended career path, current needs in your sector and context, and the degree.

• Volunteering: Don’t discount your volunteer experiences. They not only count as work but also demonstrate your commitment, values, interests, and the additional qualities you bring to the community.

• Leadership Examples: Be precise. Don’t hesitate to showcase your achievements, but keep them realistic and avoid taking credit for someone else’s work. Provide examples that demonstrate your ability to handle difficult situations, work with others, overcome barriers, and innovate (not necessarily all at once). These examples can be from personal experiences, workplace, university, or community.

Tip: I know that some people include stories from their school years. If it had an exceptional impact on your life and career — such as realizing something important to you, creating something significant, or observing something that inspired you to contribute to change, or if it involves overcoming obstacles to your education such as socioeconomic factors, civil unrest or health challenges — it makes sense to include it. However, if your most recent example of community interaction, leadership, or something similar is from that time, I don’t recommend using it.

Questions on Networking and Future Plans:

• Networking: Networks can include various groups you’re part of, such as volunteer organizations, alumni associations, professional groups, sports teams, arts communities, clubs, and other organizations. The goal is to show the value and connections you bring to the Chevening Scholars community.

• Future Plans: Outline future plans that are valuable to others in your community and relevant to the cooperation between your country and the UK. While no one knows exactly what the future holds, you should present a plan based on your current knowledge and aspirations.

Tip: What are some things you wish were there in your context? what is a realistic form of that which you could contribute to? Contributions don’t have to be massive and expensive. Impact doesn’t have to be a whole-country type of an impact. The better you know your audience and competitive advantage, the more it makes sense to the reader.

Chevening Essays Are Not Academic Essays:

• Focus on Experience: Avoid using heavy references and citations. Instead, focus on your actual knowledge and experiences. Mention sources only when necessary, such as citing specific data or stories, but ensure your perspective and voice are clear and authentic in the essays.

Tip: Use the writing process as an opportunity to reflect on where you are, why you want the degree, and what changes you hope to see in your life and surroundings. Once you’ve completed this reflection and wrote down your answers (which you’re likely to refine), you’ll find that applying for other opportunities or writing essays about your experiences will become easier.

Keep in Mind

• Originality in Essays: many applicants request essays from alumni or other applicants, but this is inconsiderate and unfair. Your essays should be original and genuinely reflect your voice and experiences.

• Help from Alumni and Current Students: while many alumni and current students are open to answering questions and sharing experiences, remember that they are often busy. Managing the degree and reintegrating back home can be demanding, so be considerate of their time and efforts.

• Facebook Groups: Many informal groups on social media, especially on Facebook, are created by people interested in the scholarship. While a lot of the information and support are useful, please always refer to the official Chevening website, especially about deadlines and eligibility.

Tip: Instead of asking for essays, seek advice from friends or mentors who can help highlight aspects of your experience and story that you might have overlooked.

Choosing Universities

• Do Your Research: Ensure you’ve thoroughly researched the universities and courses you’re considering for your application. You’ll need to explain why you chose a particular university and course, and how it aligns with your current work and future aspirations at this stage of your career.

• Course Selection Strategy: You can select three courses at the same university or three similar courses at different universities. It’s advisable to choose one top choice with a lower acceptance rate, one middle preference, and one that you like but has a higher acceptance chance.

• University Rankings: Consider both the overall ranking and the subject-specific ranking of universities. Some universities may not rank highly overall, but excel in specific subjects (e.g the Law, Social Sciences, Engineering..). Credible ranking platforms include QS and Times Higher Education.

• Key Variables to Consider: When choosing a university, consider variables such as location (local culture, student-friendliness, proximity to town/city services, climate, campus facilities, and living costs), available programs, instructors, graduate outcomes, and the institution’s reputation in your sector and country.

Using UCAS: Platforms like UCAS can help you find courses and universities that fit your criteria.

After You Apply

• Mark Application Dates: Note the application opening dates for the courses you’re interested in. These are typically a month and a half to two months after the Chevening deadline. Check each university’s website for precise dates.

• IELTS Preparation: Ensure you have your IELTS test booked or are actively working towards it. Book your test well in advance to secure a spot, as availability can be limited.

• Begin Applications: Start applying to the universities as soon as the application windows open.

• Chevening Scholarship Interview: Be prepared for the scholarship interview by being able to discuss the status of your university applications.

• Timing: Make sure you have at least one university offer by the time you are considered for the scholarship, as the scholarship may be conditional on your acceptance to a university.

Tip: Consider attending online open days which most universities organize several times before the academic year begins. You’ll get an idea about the culture of the university and what it offers. Attend more than one to avoid hyper- focusing on only one institution.

Interview Stage

Around February, approximately 3–4 months after you apply, you’ll be notified whether you’ve been selected for an interview. The interview stage is where a committee will meet you in person, likely at the British Embassy in your country or the country you currently reside in and applied from (in the case of refugee status, for example).

The interview will be held in person, and is always under an hour long. Most interviews take about 20–30 minutes, and other people get interviewed on the same day as well. You’ll typically be invited weeks in advance, and you’ll have the choice between several times and dates.

Here are my recommendations for this stage:

• Flexibility: You won’t know the questions in advance, and no scholar knows them either. Committees are transparent, and members come from diverse roles and backgrounds. Be prepared for questions about the degree you chose, and don’t assume that the committee has technical or in-depth knowledge of your field.

• Review Your Essays: The interview will likely expand on what you’ve already written in your essays. Make sure you can elaborate on the stories, ideas, and examples you provided. Think about dates, outcomes, and the current state of these endeavors.

• Preparing for Further Questions: Consider how your major relates to current affairs and your understanding of domestic news. It’s not like an exam, but demonstrating that you’re connected to trends and updates that influence your choice and career path is important.

• Dress Code: The invitation won’t specify a dress code, but smart casual to business formal attire is most common to ensure a professional impression. You can also wear elements of traditional clothing, as they are considered formal, but avoid festive traditional attire. Don’t break the bank for this — think of it as a job interview, and prioritize feeling rested and prepared.

• Speaking in English: The interview will be conducted in English. You may be comfortable thinking or writing in English, but be prepared to speak to a mix of native and fluent speakers. Don’t stress yourself out if English isn’t your first language — remember, you’re working towards fluency. However, do take the time to practice introducing yourself and explaining your essays as a foundation for the interview.

• Attitude: Throughout the interview, maintain a professional demeanor and be mindful of the committee’s efforts and time, but don’t dim your personality. A positive, confident, and committed attitude will reflect well on your application.

Tip: Plan ahead for both acceptance and rejection scenarios. Don’t leave your job, spend your savings, or tell everyone in your network until you know for certain no matter how well you think the interview went.

Accepting the Scholarship

The exciting news will arrive via email around June. If things don’t work out, please don’t be discouraged; most major scholarships require more than one attempt for many people. Who knows, in the year you have, life-changing things could happen. Take time to rest, reflect, and consider reapplying later.

If you are selected (succeed in the interview stage and secure at least one of the university offers you chose), remember that you cannot defer your offer to the following year. You can defer your university admission, but that would mean losing the scholarship and needing to find alternative funding.

Closing Thoughts

Some of the most remarkable Chevening scholars I know have applied more than once to get the scholarship. It is totally fine. Do consider applying again if things don’t workout at first- it’s like dancing when nobody is watching.

If you have the capacity, consider applying to other scholarships as to increase your chances of funding your education. Scholarships can be offered by your faculty or university, governmental or non-profit entities in your country, or by UK-based scholarships such as the Said Foundation Scholarship, University of Cambridge’s range of scholarship, Clarendon (University of Oxford, no separate application- one among several), and the Commonwealth Scholarships.

There are also partially-funded scholarships, available at most universities, including the University of Westminster, University of Bristol, Coventry University, and SOAS, among many others.

The very best of luck!

Diana Ishaqat

Diana is a development practitioner, researcher, and heritage artist with over 7 years of experience in project management, communications, and advocacy. A former Chevening and Schwarzman Scholar, she has contributed to the establishment of innovative academic degrees and technical education courses, including the first Cloud Computing Bachelor’s in the MENA.

Diana writes on women’s rights and peacebuilding and is ranked among the top 50 voices in the MENA region on LinkedIn for women’s empowerment (advocacy and publications portfolio).

Connect with me on LinkedIn, and Medium @dianaishaqat.