Aberystwyth University - Chevening Scholarships

What a Chevening Scholarship covers

You will receive a full scholarship for a one-year Master’s degree at a university in the United Kingdom. This will cover your tuition fees in full and provide a monthly living allowance to help with rent and living costs. The allowance is higher for London than for the rest of the UK, and the rates are adjusted annually. You will also receive a return economy-class flight from your home country to the UK, the fees for your UK visa, an arrival allowance, a departure allowance, a travel allowance, and up to approximately 85 euros (75 GBP) towards a TB test, if required. You will also take part in a programme of events and networking opportunities with other scholarship holders, former scholarship holders (alumni), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations. The programme is funded and delivered worldwide by the UK Government (FCDO).

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a national of one of the many countries or territories eligible for the Chevening Scholarship. You must not hold British nationality or have dual British nationality. There are narrow exceptions for British Overseas Territories and BN(O) applicants from Hong Kong.
• Degree: You have obtained a bachelor’s degree that qualifies you for a master’s programme in the United Kingdom. This degree must have been obtained at least two years before the application deadline. Holding a master’s degree does not disqualify you from applying.
• Work experience: You have at least 2,800 hours of professional experience gained since completing your bachelor’s degree – this is equivalent to approximately two years’ full-time work. Full-time, part-time and voluntary work, as well as work placements, are taken into account, up to a maximum of 15 employment relationships.
• Field of study: Any topic is allowed.
• Age: No age limit.
• Where you live now: At the time of applying, you are not resident in the United Kingdom. If you are applying from a developing country (eligible for ODA aid), you must be resident in such a country.
• Return commitment: You undertake to return to your home country for at least two years once the scholarship has ended.
• No earlier UK government scholarship: You have not yet studied in the UK on a British Government scholarship.

How to apply

You must apply online via your country’s page on the Chevening portal. The application deadline is 6 October at 11:00 UTC. You must apply for three different eligible Master’s programmes in the United Kingdom and have received at least one unconditional offer of admission by the application deadline in the following July. If you are shortlisted (around mid-February), an interview will be held at a British Embassy or High Commission between March and April; results will be announced from mid-June onwards.

How realistic are your chances?

Chevening is a well-known, fully-funded government scholarship open to applicants worldwide; as a result, the pool of applicants is large and competition is fierce. The requirements regarding professional experience, the obligation to return to one’s home country, and the need to provide offers of admission from UK universities mean that many applicants are eliminated at an early stage. However, a well-suited candidate with a clear career plan and a strong alignment with the ‘leadership’ focus has a genuine chance of success. Prepare your three preferred fields of study and references well in advance, as the process takes many months.