CHEVENING SCHOLARSHIPS
The Chevening Scholarships programme started in 1984. It was originally called the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Scholarships and Awards Scheme. A few years later the
name was changed to Chevening - after Chevening House in the Sevenoaks District of
Kent, which is currently the joint official residence of the Foreign Secretary and the Deputy
Prime Minister.
Chevening Scholarships are for talented people who have
been identified as potential future leaders across a wide
range of fields including politics, business, the media,
civil society, religion and academia. Most scholars
undertake
a
one
year
master’s
degree.
In the current academic year there are over 500 Chevening
scholars at universities across the UK. The programme is
mainly funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
with
some
contributions
from
Higher
Education
Institutions and other partners in the UK. Our Embassies
and High Commissions also have partnership agreements
with a wide range of overseas sponsors including
governmental and private sector bodies. The programme is managed in UK and overseas
by the British Council through a Service Level Agreement.
Who can apply?
To be eligible for the Chevening Scholarship, applicants must meet all the following
criteria:
1) Citizens and permanent residents of Guatemala, El Salvador or Honduras at the time of
application;
2) Not be currently working or studying in the United Kingdom (UK);*
3) Not be in current receipt of any other scholarships or award;
4) Already hold a first degree of an equivalent standard to at least a good UK second class
Honours degree;
5) Be a mid-career professional with a minimum of 2 years working experience who has
managerial, policy-influencing or decision-making responsibilities in an organisation in
one of the priority fields below. We are open to all applicants from government, private
business, media, NGOs or other organisations.
6) Must obtain an IELTS score of at least 7 overall on the academic module with no
individual band of less than 6.5. TOEFL tests are accepted with a minumum score of 100
for the internet based test and 603 in the paper test;
7) Current employees or direct family member of an employee of the FCO, British Council,
any joint partner of the Chevening scheme, or directly related organisations are not eligible
to apply.
* Chevening is intended to offer scholars a new social and cultural experience. Therefore,
applicants who have previously studied in the United Kingdom, whilst welcome to apply,
will be considered to have a lesser chance of success over applicants intending to study in
the UK for the first time.
In addition to the above criteria, applicants coming from one of the following priority fields
will be preferred:
- International Relations;
- Law enforcement and law;
- Economics & Finance;
- Trade & Investment;
- Science & Technology;
- Environment and Sustainable Development;
- Energy & Climate Change;
- Media;
- Social Development especially, Education Policy, Human Rights, Legal Reform;
- Armed Forces;
- Clergy.
Applicants must also possess the following qualities:
> Have ambition and drive;
> Be of leadership potential;
> Show a commitment to change and organisational development;
> Be flexible and adaptable;
> Be innovative and creative;
> Have an ability to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances; not only in technical and
professional terms but also culturally.
Chevening Scholarships are for high calibre graduates with the personal, intellectual
and interpersonal qualities necessary for leadership. Applicants should be:
- Motivated to make a career that will take them to positions of leadership in their
own country within ten years of their scholarship.
- Able to use their studies and experience in the UK to benefit themselves, their
countries and the UK.
- Natural influencers and talented communicators, with energy and ambition.
- People who value networking and who can demonstrate the value of networks to
their studies, and to bringing about change on a global level.
- Intelligent, with demonstrable academic potential.
- Strong characters with integrity, drive, and the ability to self manage and work
independently.
Applicants must:
- Have good English language skills with and should check what IELTS score or
equivalent is required for admission to postgraduate courses.
- Meet the academic requirements for their courses of study
Applicants cannot be:
- A UK or EU national.
- An employee of the FCO (including British Embassies and High Commissions),
the British Council, a co-sponsor or sponsoring UK university, or their relatives, or
former employee who left such employment within the past two years.
- People who have already received financial benefit from an HMG-funded award.
How do I apply?
STEP ONE: Get your employer's support:
Obtain an assurance from your employing institution/company that they will be prepared
to release you for the period of the scholarship and will give you a letter of
recommendation.
STEP TWO: English proficiency
This is a pre-requisite for all British universities. You must obtain a score of at least 7 on
the IELTS test* (see note below) with not less than 6.5 in any individual band. TOEFL is
accepted with a minimum score of 603 in the paper test or 100 in the internet based test.
You may submit your Chevening application form online pending completion of the IELTS
test.
STEP THREE: Complete your online application
Online applications can be completed at the e-Chevening website.
STEP FOUR: Assessment
Applications will be assessed and graded, and a shortlist will be drawn up. Only shortlisted
candidates will be contacted to submit further documentation.
STEP FIVE: Interview
If you reach this stage, you must be prepared to present your application, in English,
before a selection panel. See our page on preparing for the interview.
STEP SIX: Applications to British Council
The British Embassy in Guatemala will submit their nominations to the British Council
Manchester for evaluation.
STEP SEVEN: Scholarship Offer Letter
British Council Manchester advise Her Majesty’s Ambassador Guatemala that award
letters to successful applicants can be issued.
STEP EIGHT: Administration arrangements
Once the successful candidate has signed the letter of acceptance, the Embassy will work
with the scholar and the British Council to put in place all the necessary arrangements for
the scholar's year in the United Kingdom.
Prepare for the Chevening interview
GUATEMALA APPLICANTS
- You will be called a week before the interview to confirm the date and time of the
interview.
- The interview will be carried out in English before a 3-person panel. You will be
expected to demonstrate:
1. How you have used your previous studies in your present work environment
2. How you anticipate using the experience of the scholarship in the United Kingdom in
your future endeavours.
3. Your vision of your future goals and those of your country.
4. How you would describe your home country to students from other countries.
5. Your vision of how you would apply your studies to the bilateral relationship between
the United Kingdom and your country.
and so on.
EL SALVADOR AND HONDURAS APPLICANTS
- You will be called a week before the interview to confirm the date and time of the
interview.
- The interview will be carried out by telephone in English. You will be expected to
demonstrate:
Steps 1-5 above.
Applicants preparing for the Chevening Scholarship interview may find The Scholarship
Interview website useful.