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Find opportunities that are right for you to continue your education outside your home country.
© 2025 Freedom Degree
Freedom Degree, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. © 2025 | Powered by Strapi
Aug 18, 2025
How to get a prestigious international scholarship to study in the UK?
Do you dream of doing a Master's degree in the UK but are worried about the cost of tuition fees? The Chevening Scholarship could be your golden ticket. Chevening is a prestigious government funded scholarship that allows future leaders from around the world to study in the UK. We'll explain what Chevening is, who is eligible, how to apply, and share inspiring stories from alumni to motivate you in your journey to a Chevening scholarship.
The Chevening Scholarship is a UK government international scholarship program founded in 1983. It was created to develop future leaders with strong links to the UK. Chevening awards fully fund a year's study at a UK Master's program for outstanding young professionals. Over the past four decades, the program has reached more than 160 countries, making it a global program. To date, more than 59,000 people have become Chevening Fellows, building a vibrant community of alumni around the world
To be eligible for the Chevening program, you must meet the following criteria:
Nationality. You must be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country and agree to return to your home country for at least 2 years after receiving the scholarship
Education. You must have a bachelor's degree that qualifies you for admission to a master's program in the UK Chevening (you must separately apply to no more than three UK universities and receive an offer from at least one of them).
Work Experience. You need to have at least two years' work experience before applying. This could be full-time or part-time work, voluntary service or internships.
Other requirements. You cannot be a UK citizen or a UK citizen with dual nationality. You also won't be able to apply if you have previously received another UK government-funded education scholarship.
Meeting the minimum criteria is only the first step. The Chevening program is highly competitive, so it's important to stand out. According to the scholarship organizers, there is no “typical” scholarship recipient, but successful candidates tend to have ambition, leadership potential, and a passion for positive change. The selectors are looking for “high-achieving graduates who possess the personal, intellectual and interpersonal qualities necessary for leadership.” To strengthen your application, make a case for your leadership abilities (how have you influenced or led others in socially relevant projects?). Show communication skills (the ability to collaborate with different people), a clear vision for the future and a commitment to your community. Chevening wants to invest in people who have already started to make a difference in the world and will continue to do so after graduation.
Need some tips? First, write authentic, strong essays. The essay is your chance to speak directly to the selectors. Be original - be honest about your accomplishments and aspirations, use case studies to illustrate your leadership and communication abilities. Explain your motivations and make it clear how your chosen course of study in the UK will help you contribute to the development of your home country. Write clearly without exceeding the word limit and proofread carefully.
Prepare for the interview. If you are invited to an interview, it means that the committee likes your written application. The interview (usually at the British Embassy or online) will talk about your aims, experience and general interest in the UK. Look at your application again and be prepared to discuss the details. Rehearse common questions such as “Why Chevening?” or “How will you use this knowledge back home in your country?” (for citizens of Russia and Belarus, the question is, to put it mildly, not obvious). Try to show self-confidence and enthusiasm. During the interview, be confident and enthusiastic. Show passion for your area of expertise and present your ideas clearly.
Don't give up. Remember that some Fellows only succeed on their second or third attempt - persistence can pay off. If you didn't qualify this year, consider it an experience. Strengthen your portfolio (perhaps take on a new project or job) and try again. Many scholarship recipients say persistence was the key to their success.
The Chevening program fully covers your tuition, living stipend, and travel expenses, but the experience offers much more than just financial support. As a Chevening Scholar, you'll study alongside bright individuals from around the world and build connections throughout the year. You will form professional and personal contacts across cultures. Upon graduation, you'll be part of a global community of Chevening alumni that can be a lifelong resource for partnerships and friendships. This global network can open doors and opportunities.
The Chevening experience is designed to help you grow as a leader while enjoying a diverse cultural exchange. Fellows often attend special seminars, workshops or formal events that broaden their horizons. Living in the UK also means you'll immerse yourself in a new culture. All in all, Chevening is an education both in and out of university, helping you become a well-rounded global citizen.
To understand the real life impact of a Chevening scholarship, it's worth listening to those who have already received one. Often scholarship recipients share their experiences on their personal blogs.
Abraham Ologundudu, a 2019/2020 Chevening Fellow originally from Nigeria, provides a comprehensive guide for prospective applicants. Abraham encourages applicants not to be frustrated by the high competition and focus on telling their unique story. He also details the essay sections and advises giving clear examples to demonstrate your development potential.
You can also find incredible stories of people who didn't get a scholarship the first or even second time around. Samson Folarin, a Nigerian journalist, tells how he persevered and applied again and again. After being rejected three times, he finally succeeded on the fourth attempt. Samson also confirms the importance of writing authentic essays that reflect your experiences and passions. His story is exactly about the resilience and determination that is often required to get a scholarship.
Another similar story is from Mufaro Makiwa from Zimbabwe, who can absolutely be described as a determined person. He too was rejected as many as three times, and the fourth attempt was successful. Mufaro says he tried to improve his application every year and believed he had “all the qualities Chevening is looking for - ambition, strong academic background and relationship building skills.”
Those who persevere and receive the scholarship are convinced that a year in the UK and the global Chevening community that comes with it can be truly life-changing. Many graduates once doubted their chances, but they took the leap and it paid off. If you have big dreams for your education and community, take action - Chevening could be the opportunity that changes your life.
If you need assistance with a successful Chevening application, reach out to our consultants. They have already helped dozens of young individuals secure scholarships, even in the most challenging cases.