Yours Sincerely, I'm Living My Dream and So Can You!

The Chevening Scholarship for 2025/26 will close in just less than a month, and I'm back here to share a few frequently asked questions by aspirants.

If you're wondering how I am doing at 英国伦敦政治经济学院 , in short, every class feels like my brain is being rewired over and over again. I’m enlightened with new ways to see the world, reassessing everything I thought was right. It's all thanks to my favourite professor, Professor Shakuntala Banaji , how grateful I am to attend her classes.

And moving on to Chevening:

Is the Chevening Scholarship fully funded? Yes! Chevening is a fully funded scholarship covering tuition fees, living allowances, travel costs, and other expenses. The application process is quite long and requires patience. Here’s an overview of the typical timeline: ? Applications Close: November ? Interviews: Invitations are sent around March ? Outcome: You’ll hear the results in July ? Final Award: After July

Make sure to stay updated on key dates and guidelines through Chevening.org .

Choosing Your Program and Schools You have the flexibility to apply to three different schools or three different programs in the same school. I personally applied to three different schools with similar programs: ? Media, Communication & Development at LSE ? Journalism, Media & Communications at Cardiff ? Media & Communication at Leeds

While the schools were different, the programs were aligned, showing my clear focus and consistency in my career goals.

Seek Out Mentorship and Support I highly recommend finding a mentor who has been through the process. My mentor, Elizabeth Mwambulukutu , was my manager at WaterAid and played a huge role in my success. She helped review my essays, conducted mock interviews with me, and offered incredible moral support. Having someone to guide you is invaluable. I’d be happy to follow in her footsteps and assist in reviewing essays and providing advice where I can. Liz, if you’re reading this thank you so much for everything.

Writing Your Essays On the application, you will need to write four essays: ? Leadership Skills ? Networking Skills ? Future Career Plan ? Why Study in the UK

For these essays, the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is essential. Here are some tips:

? Choose 2-3 instances where you demonstrated leadership and networking skills. Focus on what you did and use “I” instead of “we.”

? Your future career plan should align with your past experiences and the courses you’ve chosen. For example, I outlined how my skills would help me contribute to organizations like the African Union or the Africa Women Leadership Network and produce a girls’ empowerment show in the long term.

? For the “Why Study in the UK” essay, research the universities and specific courses you want to study. I selected LSE, Cardiff, and Leeds and mentioned how the skills I would gain there would support my career goals.

Remember, your essays are a chance to showcase how everything is connected: your past work, your future ambitions, and the courses you plan to study in the UK.

P.S: Don’t be discouraged by rejections! I was rejected by Leeds, but I stayed persistent. Remember, both yes and no simply mean we had the courage to try.

Leadership and Extracurricular Activities Chevening looks for individuals who have demonstrated leadership and networking skills that have positively impacted their community. These don’t necessarily need to come from extracurricular activities—they can also be from your full-time job.

Make sure your essays show how your efforts have benefited others and created change in society.

Grades and Academic Requirements Chevening doesn’t have a specific grade requirement, but most universities will ask for a 2:1 UK degree (equivalent to a 3.3 GPA). However, don’t let this discourage you. Your essays and professional experience also play a huge role in the selection process. If your GPA is below the threshold, your work experience and achievements can still make a strong case for your acceptance.

Tips for References When selecting your referees, it's crucial to choose people who are reliable and will respond promptly if contacted. The embassy may reach out to verify your references, so ensure you pick individuals who are familiar with your work and achievements, and who can recognize skills you might not even notice in yourself.

I also want to express my gratitude to Tseguereda Abraham & Abireham M. Ayalew my former line managers, for always being there when I needed them and supporting my journey by being my references!

Here’s what you need to know:

? For Chevening: You will need to upload reference letters to the Chevening application portal.

? For University Applications: In many cases, your referees will need to send their letters directly to the university via official channels, such as a professional email address.

Choosing Universities When searching for courses, you may find that some universities on your list aren’t Chevening partners. Don’t worry! As long as the courses you are applying for are eligible within the Chevening program, you’re good to go. Always check the course finder for more details.

Final Notes Applying for Chevening is a long journey that requires dedication and preparation. Seek out a mentor, be clear in your goals, and connect your past achievements to your future plans. Lastly, don’t hesitate to reach out for essay reviews—I’d be happy to help!

Good luck with your application! Stay focused, be patient, and make sure to highlight your impact on the world. And if you don’t get it this time around, try again and again. Broaden your horizons and remember there are other opportunities you can pursue.