Overview of Chevening Scholarship

The Chevening Scholarship is the flagship scholarship Scheme of the British Government. The Scheme is funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The FCO is the British Government department responsible for overseas relations and foreign affairs through it's headquarters in London and Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates throughout the World.

The Chevening Programme was established in 1983 as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Scholarships and Awards Scheme and took its new name in 1994. The name 'Chevening' derives from the Kent estate of the United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Secretary's official residence.

The aims of the Scholarship Scheme, which flow from the overall purpose of the Programme, are:

to attract and select from around the world those with the greatest potential to be future leaders with the capacity to benefit the UK:

• to ensure that the experiences of Scholars in the UK leave them supportive of the UK;
  
• to build the Chevening alumni network into the biggest, most actively supported and influential informal network available to Her Majesty's Government (HMG) overseas;
  
• to position Chevening as the most prestigious programme of its type in the world, and
  
• to become the most cost-effective postgraduate award programme run by HMG.

In Mongolia, the scheme operates through the British Embassy in Ulaanbaatar with administrative support from British Council, Manchester.

Scholars are chosen on the basis that they will become opinion formers and decision-makers as well as influential friends of the UK. Successful applicants have the 'Chevening' qualities of ambition drive, and leadership potential, a commitment to change and organisation development, talent for innovation and creativity, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances not only in technical and professional terms but also culturally.

If you are interested in becoming a Chevening scholar in 2010/2011, please visit the following links for more details on application criteria, how to apply and download Chevening Scholarship Application form:

Application Criteria

Chevening Scholarship on-line application