Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
CHEVENING SCHOLARSHIP
AWARDS
AUGUST 2013
Summary of updates
Eligibility added to this is the need for Scholars to be able to obtain the correct
visa, and receive an unconditional offer from a UK university, as well details of
what constitutes work or equivalent experience.
See Section 2: Eligibility.
Information for Indian short course Scholars updated information for Indian
short course Scholars, including additional eligibility criteria.
See Appendix A: Information for Indian short courses.
Section 1:
OVERVIEW ......................................................................2
Section 2:
ELIGIBILITY .....................................................................2
Section 3:
SELECTION CRITERIA....................................................4
Section 4:
Section 5:
Section 6:
Section 7:
Section 8:
Section 9:
Section 10:
UNCLASSIFIED
Section 1:
OVERVIEW
Section 2:
ELIGIBILITY
UNCLASSIFIED
be able to obtain the correct visa (in accordance with the instructions for your
county at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/countries), and receive an
unconditional offer from a UK university.
You or your immediate relatives1 left the above employment categories after
30 September 2011.
You are applying from a country other than your home country, unless you are
able to return to your home country for interview and demonstrate your
intention to return there immediately after the completion of your course to
become a future leader, decision-maker or opinion former.
You are a dual national, where one of your nationalities is British (except if
you are a national of a British Overseas Territory, or if you hold BN(O)
nationality and are applying from Hong Kong), or if you have any valid leave
to enter or remain in the UK which suggests that you may not return to your
home country after your Scholarship. If you are invited to attend an interview,
you will be asked to disclose full details of any other nationalities held and
your UK immigration status.
Immediate relatives are defined as parents or step-parents, siblings or stepsiblings, children or step-children, spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner (where
the couple have been in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at
least two years).
UNCLASSIFIED
Section 3:
SELECTION CRITERIA
9. The FCO and Secretariat encourage applications from suitably qualified people
from any background, and are firmly committed to equal opportunities. The FCO and
Secretariat do not discriminate on the grounds of race, religion, age, gender, sexual
orientation or disability.
Section 4:
10. In order to apply for a Chevening Scholarship you must meet our minimum
English language requirement by 23 June 2014. For Chevening candidates, no
pre-sessionals are allowed in any instance (this applies to self-funded presessionals too). You can fulfil the Chevening English language requirement by
taking an English language test and achieving the scores specified below OR by
claiming an exemption based on the exemption lists below.
English language tests
You are free to take tests more than once in order to meet the Chevening English
language requirement. All tests should be taken by 23 June 2014 at the latest. You
should take a test as early as possible, and well in advance of the deadline.
Chevening does not pay for costs associated with English language, and you are
responsible for booking and paying for costs associated with these tests, unless
special arrangements apply in your country.
The English language test must be taken from one of the three approved providers
below, on or after 1 October 2012.
The minimum English language requirement is as follows:
UNCLASSIFIED
Academic IELTS
Overall score - 6.5,
with a minimum score in each component of: Listening 5.5, Reading 5.5,
Speaking 5.5, Writing 5.5
Pearson PTE Academic
Overall score 58,
with a minimum score in each component of: Listening 42, Reading 42, Speaking
42, Writing 42
TOEFL iBT
Overall score 79,
with a minimum score in each component of: Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking
20, Writing 17
11. If you do not already have an existing eligible test certificate (see below) it is
your responsibility to ensure that you have booked a test date. You should organise
a test at the earliest opportunity. Please note that the turnaround time for English
language tests varies: IELTS results will be available in 13 days; PTE Academic
results will be available in five business days; and TOEFL results will be available
approximately 10 days after your test.
12. If there are no English language test centres in your country please see your
country page for further guidance.
13. Applicants who are nationals of one of the following countries are exempt from
submitting an English language test for a Chevening Scholarship, in line with Home
Office policy:
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada,
Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St
Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States of America and
British Overseas Territories.
14. Applicants who have been awarded a Bachelor's degree or higher in one of the
following countries are also exempt from submitting an English language test for a
Chevening Scholarship:
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica,
Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St
Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, the UK, and the
United States of America.
15. If you take an Academic IELTS, PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT test before
applying, you should include your English language test score and test certificate
number on your Chevening application form. These test certificates will only be
valid if your test was taken after 1 October 2012.
UNCLASSIFIED
If you take a PTE Academic test you must include 'Chevening Scholarships'
on the PTE Academic website as one of the organisations that can be
informed about your test results.
If you take a TOEFL test you must include 'Chevening Scholars Assoc
Commonwealth Universities' (Code 3198) as one of the organisations that can
be informed about your test results.
The test scores you enter on your application form will be verified with the
testing organisation. It is therefore vitally important that this information is
entered accurately on your application form.
16. Please note that if you do not demonstrate that you have met the required
English language level by 23 June 2014 or that you qualify for an exemption or
special arrangements apply because there is no test centre in your country,
your application will be rejected.
17. All Chevening Scholars must also meet the academic and English
language requirements for their chosen course of study. The English language
requirements for some courses may be higher than the minimum eligibility
requirement for a Chevening Scholarship or you may be required to take a different
English language test. It is your responsibility to meet any higher or different
requirements. Being a Chevening Scholar does not automatically exempt you from
university requirements or the requirements of the UK Border Agency. Remember
that no pre-sessional courses for Chevening candidates are allowed, even in
instances where your university requests one or where attendance is self-funded.
Section 5:
UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS
19. The following courses will not be accepted under the Chevening Scholarships
programme:
Undergraduate degrees
Distance learning courses
Part-time courses
Courses over one year in length including PhDs or DPhils
UNCLASSIFIED
20. You can find further information about postgraduate courses at UK universities
from Education UK and Prospects, or read our information on studying in the UK.
21. You will be asked to state the names of three chosen UK Masters' courses and
universities on the Chevening application form, in order of preference - a reach
course, a likely course, and a safety course. A reach course is one where you
might have a relatively difficult chance gaining entry; a likely course is one where
you should gain entry; and a safety course is one where you are almost certain to
gain entry. You must include on the Chevening application form the full name of the
university/universities and the exact name of your preferred courses (as set out on
the university website or prospectus). Only Masters' courses starting in
September/October 2014 are eligible for funding. Courses starting later in 2014 or in
2015 are not eligible for funding.
22. Think very carefully about which universities and courses you select on your
application form. If your Chevening Scholarship application is successful you will be
expected to attend your first choice university course (i.e. your reach course)
and will not be able to amend your course selection. You will not be able to
change your first choice unless you are declined by the university; another choice is
indicated by the Embassy/High Commission during selection; or there is some other
unforeseen circumstance, such as the course being cancelled for your year. If you
are not accepted by your first choice university, you will be expected to accept your
second or third choice in that order. The only exception will be if the Chevening
Scholarships interview panel decides to offer you a Scholarship contingent on
acceptance at a particular university or course (which may or may not be one of your
preferred choices). Different arrangements will apply for short courses (available in
certain countries) as these are normally for study at a particular university.
23. If your Chevening Scholarship application is successful, but the applications to
your three preferred universities/courses or any other courses agreed by the
selection panel are unsuccessful, the Chevening Scholarships Secretariat may offer
you further placement advice. The Secretariat cannot guarantee placement at any
particular university or course, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you submit
your university applications in good time.
24. Requests to change your university course following your arrival in the UK will
not generally be allowed. In exceptional circumstances this may be considered but
you should not expect permission to be granted. You will be required to demonstrate
why the course you have chosen to study does not fit within your aims as defined
within your Chevening Scholarship application and why you did not research the
course thoroughly before making the application. The request to change course will
also need to have the full support of the university and should not alter any of the
other arrangements for your award. The latter will be assessed by the Secretariat.
Final approval for the change will need to be sought from the Embassy or High
Commission in your home country. Please note that requests made later than two
weeks after the start date of your course will not be considered. Requests to transfer
your award to an alternative university will not be allowed in any circumstance.
UNCLASSIFIED
25. Your chosen universities may require a higher level or different language test
than the minimum required for you to apply for a Chevening Scholarship (see
paragraph 17 above). It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the academic
and English language requirements of your preferred universities/courses.
Section 6:
APPLICATION AND SELECTION
PROCEDURE
Registering your interest:
26. You should register your interest in the Chevening Scholarships programme
and sign up to receive notifications of application opening and closing dates for your
country via the country pages of the Chevening website.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
India
Kenya
Kosovo
Macedonia
Maldives
Moldova
Montenegro
Nepal
New Zealand
Pacific
Islands
Group
Russia
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Rwanda
Serbia
Somalia
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Tanzania
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
Albania
Armenia
Australia
Bangladesh
Belarus
Bosnia
British
Overseas
Territories
Croatia
Ethiopia &
Djibouti
Georgia
Angola
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
UNCLASSIFIED
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Indonesia/Ea
st Timor
Israel
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyz
Republic (by
Kazakhstan)
Lebanon
Mexico
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Nicaragua
Nigeria
Palestinian
Territories
Panama
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Syria
Tajikistan
The Gambia
Trinidad &
Tobago
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Barbados &
Eastern
Caribbean
Belize
Cameroon
Canada
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominican
Republic
DR Congo
Egypt
El Salvador
Ghana
Afghanistan
Algeria
Argentina
Bolivia
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Burma
Cambodia
Chile
Colombia
DPR (North)
Korea
Ecuador
Guyana
Hong Kong
Iran
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Iraq
Japan
Laos
Lesotho
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Mauritius
Mongolia
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Pakistan
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Seychelles
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Sudan
Swaziland
Taiwan
Thailand
Tunisia
Uruguay
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
China
Iceland
29. Your eChevening application form will ask you to demonstrate that you meet
the Chevening minimum English language requirement. You will be asked to provide
details of your Academic IELTS, Pearson PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT test
including the scores that you achieved for each component and your test report or
certificate number. Alternatively you will need to demonstrate that you qualify for an
exemption or where there is no test centre that special arrangements apply for your
country. Please see the above English language requirement section of this
guidance for further details.
30. The eChevening application form will ask you to state three UK universities and
Masters courses in order of preference (see paragraph 20 above). Applicants that
only list one or two courses on the Chevening application will not be
considered. In cases where your Chevening Scholarship is tied to a specific
university or course only, you should refer to the Guidance for Applicants for further
instructions on what to enter on your application form. You should submit
applications to your preferred universities before (or at the same time as)
applying for a Chevening Scholarship, or as soon as possible if you are unable
to do this for any reason. Please see the above university admissions section of
this guidance for further details.
UNCLASSIFIED
31. You must set out clearly in your Personal Statement on the application
form how you believe you meet the Chevening selection criteria (see paragraph
8 above). This is vitally important to enable the interview panel to assess your
application properly. If you do not clearly set out how you believe you meet the
criteria you will not be recommended for interview.
Review of applications:
32. Applications will be sifted against the Chevening eligibility criteria and then
reviewed by a committee chaired by an Academic Specialist and administered by the
Chevening Scholarships Secretariat. The committee will make recommendations to
the local British Embassy or British High Commission about which candidates might
be invited for interview.
Invitation to interview:
33. The final decision on which candidates are invited for interview will be made by
the local British Embassy or British High Commission. Candidates invited for
interview will not be reimbursed for any expenses incurred in travelling to attend the
interview (unless otherwise specified in your invitation to interview letter).
34. If you are not invited to attend an interview, you will be informed that your
application has not been successful. Due to the high volume of applications
received, it is not possible to give feedback on individual applications. The
Chevening website will provide some typical reasons as to why applications are not
successful.
35. If you are invited to attend an interview, the Chevening Scholarships
Secretariat will write to the referees that you provided on your application form to
request references. At this point you must also contact your referees to ensure that
they provide a reference (in English) in good time to be considered by the selection
panel. You will also be asked to sign a declaration relating to such issues as
nationality, immigration status etc which must be returned to the Secretariat by the
date specified.
36. You will be informed in your invitation to interview about any the documents
that you must bring with you to the interview.
37. The Chevening Scholarships interview panel will comprise at least one
member of the British Embassy or High Commission and may include other
members including e.g. representatives of co-sponsors and Chevening alumni.
Interviews will normally be held at the British Embassy or High Commission.
Interviews will take place in April 2014 and will concentrate on how you meet the
Chevening selection criteria (see above).
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
to arrive no earlier than one month before your course start date.
Scholars should note that the above guidelines mean that it will not always be
possible for the agency to procure a direct flight.
44. Prior to your arrival in the UK you will receive a cashcard which will contain an
arrival allowance. This card must be activated prior to your arrival in the UK.
Section 7:
45.
payment of tuition fees (up to a limit check individual country pages on the
Chevening website for details of fee caps);
travel to and from your country of residence by an approved route for you
only;
an arrival allowance;
the cost of an entry clearance (visa) application for you only;
a grant for the cost of preparation of a thesis or dissertation (if required);
an excess baggage allowance;
a monthly personal living allowance (stipend) to cover accommodation and
living expenses. The monthly stipend will depend on whether you are studying
inside or outside London. It is currently 948 per month outside the London
metropolitan area and 1173 per month inside the London metropolitan area
(defined as being within the M25) or where your university is a member of the
University of London. These rates are subject to annual review.
46. Tuition fee payments for Master's in Business Administration (MBA) courses
have an upper limit of 12,000. If you study for an MBA you will be expected to fund
any difference above this sum. You may be required to demonstrate that you hold
sufficient funding to cover the remaining tuition fee costs. In some countries the
maximum award for tuition fees for all Masters' courses may also have an upper
limit. If so you will be expected to fund any difference above this upper limit.
47. The Chevening selection panel may also offer part Scholarship awards. This
award may fund tuition fees only (no stipend or other allowance) or stipend and
allowances only (no tuition fees). In the case of part awards you will be expected to
fund any difference.
48. Awards funded by co-sponsors or in association with co-sponsors may also
vary depending on the agreement reached with the co-sponsor.
49. Any award offered may take into account other significant Scholarship or
similar awards by reducing the amount of any Chevening Scholarship. You must not
accept any other form of publicly-funded award during your Scholarship and should
not normally accept additional funding for purposes already covered by Chevening.
You will be required to disclose on your application form whether you have applied,
or intend to apply, for any other scholarships or awards. You may retain funding or
4
UNCLASSIFIED
other benefits not specifically covered by your Chevening Scholarship and you may
continue to be in receipt of a salary from your past employer during your
Scholarship. In certain circumstances a Scholar may be given an opportunity to
undertake UK-based employment or be in receipt of additional funding originating
from the UK during their Chevening Scholarship. In such cases the following rules
will apply:
Section 8:
50. You must keep in touch with the Chevening Scholarships Secretariat during the
term of your Scholarship and, in particular, keep it informed if you:
51. For Candidate/Scholar emergencies before departure for the UK, the
emergency contact is the local British Embassy or High Commission. Once in the
UK, your Programme Officer should be your first point of contact. Our Senior
Immigration and Welfare Officer is also available to help you with any personal
welfare or immigration issues that affect you.
The Chevening Scholarships Secretariat office is open from 9:00am until 5:00pm
Monday to Friday. The office is closed on Bank Holidays and for a period of time
over Christmas. The Chevening Secretariat does not operate a 24/7 service. If you
experience any problems outside the Secretariats operating hours, please contact
your university who will do their best to help you. The majority of universities will
have an out of hours emergency number that you can call. Many universities will also
have an emergency contacts list as well as critical or welfare support policies. The
Secretariat also has a monitored email address: welfare@chevening.org, which you
can email at any time, but your university will be able to offer you localised and
specialist support in an emergency.
52. Scholars will be expected to spend the majority of their time in the UK. All
academic visits overseas, and all non-academic visits overseas for longer than 14
5
UNCLASSIFIED
If we have to remove a post, we will contact you to explain why. Repeat offenders
may be blocked from using our social media indefinitely.
Please note that you must gain permission from the FCO if you seek to set up a
Chevening group on any of Chevenings social networks.
UNCLASSIFIED
57. New Scholars will be expected to take part in a virtual orientation webinar at
the start of their award and also attend a Welcome Reception within the UK upon
their arrival (travel expenses will be covered).
Section 9:
CONDITIONS OF THE CHEVENING
SCHOLARSHIP
Effectuation of a Chevening Scholarship
58. The effectuation of a Chevening Scholarship is contingent upon the availability
of transportation and sufficient funds, stable conditions in the UK and the Scholars
ability to procure relevant UK entry clearance (a visa) and receive medical clearance.
Neither the FCO nor the Secretariat assumes responsibility for any injury, accident,
illness, loss of personal property or other contingencies which may befall a Scholar
during the course of his/her Chevening Scholarship. We strongly advise that
Scholars take out appropriate insurance to cover their travel to, and stay in, the UK.
59. Full details of administrative arrangements will be given to Chevening Scholars
with conditional offer letters and in the Scholarship Handbook. When considering
whether to apply for an award, you should be aware of the following points:
a) The FCO and the Secretariat reserve the right to publish the names and basic
details of candidates selected for awards on the Chevening website or on other
websites or in other publications. They also reserve the right to share a Scholars
details with other Chevening Scholars and alumni, relevant university contacts,
sponsor/partner organisations and other FCO and government departments. By
applying for an award you give consent for such sharing and publication of your
details in the event of your application being successful.
b) The United Kingdom Data Protection Act 1998 governs the use (or processing)
of personal data held on an individual by an organisation and it states that the rules
of good information handling (the data protection principles) must be observed. The
FCO and ACU will handle all information about Scholars according to these data
protection principles. It will be necessary for Scholar details to be kept on file and
Scholars will be required to confirm on their award acceptance form that they
consent to this. In submitting an application for a Chevening Scholarship you also
consent for the information in your application together with any references and
supporting documentation to be shared with those assessing applications and
relevant sponsor/partner organisations.
c) A Chevening Scholarship is tenable for no longer than one academic year but
may terminate sooner in circumstances where you course is less than one year in
length. Stipend payments will only be made for the duration of a Scholars course.
d) Supervisors or Directors of Study at UK universities will be asked from time to
time to report to the Secretariat on the academic progress and general conduct of
Chevening Scholars enrolled at their university. This information will only be shared
7
UNCLASSIFIED
with the British Embassy/High Commission in the Scholar's home country and any
sponsors/partners of your award.
e) Should a Scholar be dismissed from his/her university for any reason, the
Scholarship will be immediately terminated.
f) There is no provision for dependants of Chevening Scholars. Scholars may
choose to bring their dependants with them to the UK but are advised not to do so.
The Chevening programme provides no financial support for dependants and will not
endorse the visa applications of, nor provide travel for, dependants.
g) Applications to defer awards will not be accepted except in the case of
pregnancy. Candidates selected for a Chevening Scholarship who are unable to take
up their award must withdraw from the programme and re-apply the following year.
h) Chevening Scholarships may not be extended beyond 12 months unless there
are exceptional circumstances. Exceptions will only be granted by the FCO if there
are strong academic or welfare reasons to support this and are subject to the
availability of funds.
i) If you become pregnant before starting your award and your expected date of
delivery is before 31 March 2015, you should be aware that it is likely you will miss
some of the crucial first two terms of a taught Master's course around the time of the
delivery of the baby. You may either continue with your award or you may defer it till
the following academic year. If you wish to continue with the Scholarship, you need
to be aware that if you take any extended period of leave, it is possible that your visa
will be cancelled and, if so, you will have to return home and apply for another visa
before being able to resume your studies.
j) Candidates must state on their application form whether they have applied, or
intend to apply, for any other scholarships or awards. The right is reserved to abate
Chevening Scholarship Awards in instances where Scholars are beneficiaries of
other significant awards, prizes or earned income.
k) Chevening Scholars are not barred from taking part-time employment while in
the UK. However, Scholars must comply with the employment conditions of their
visa, university/college regulations, and individual Scholars' overall commitment to
their studies in the UK, and the conditions of award. Scholars should remember that
their academic studies are of paramount importance and should be given due
priority.
l) Scholars must return to their home country when their award comes to an
end. The Secretariat is unable to provide any letter of support which might be
required to enable a Scholar to stay on to work in the UK.
m)
All terms and conditions of award are subject to UK local law and practices.
n) All regulations concerning immigration and entry clearance (visas) are set by the
Home Office and are subject to change.
8
UNCLASSIFIED
o) In line with the UK Bribery Act, which came into effect on 1 July 2011, any
candidate convicted of bribery will be banned from applying for a Chevening
Scholarship for a period of up to five years.
p) Failure to comply with the conditions of the Chevening Scholarship or conditions
of entry clearance to the UK will result in the withdrawal of the Scholarship.
q) A Scholarship may be terminated at any time for reasons of unsatisfactory
conduct, progress, attendance, ill health, if it is discovered that any documentation
submitted by a Scholar is fraudulent or if a Scholar does not comply with these
Terms and Conditions.
60. These Terms and Conditions may be subject to change and the final version
will be issued with a Scholars Final Award Letter. Once signed, this indicates a
Scholar agrees to that final version and will abide by it. Failure to do so could result
in programme ejection and repayment of the award in full.
Eligibility
In addition to the general eligibility criteria for Chevening Scholars, applicants for
short courses must ensure that they have the following attributes:
UNCLASSIFIED
10
UNCLASSIFIED
You must be able to work in diverse teams as well as individually, above all
have the motivation to contribute constructively to the programme.
You are expected to have had at least ten years' professional experience.
Invitation to interview
Candidates invited for interview will not be reimbursed for any expenses incurred in
travelling to attend the interview (unless otherwise specified in your invitation to
interview letter).
11
UNCLASSIFIED
You must ensure that the Secretariat and British High Commission, New Delhi (or
the Embassy or High Commission in your home country as appropriate) have up to
date contact details for you, including UK address and email, and overseas address
and email at the end of your Scholarship.
August 2013
Chevening Scholarships Secretariat
on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
c/o The Association of Commonwealth Universities
Woburn House, 20-24 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HF
www.chevening.org
12