A companion Chevening Fellowships Scheme was launched by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2004. The Fellowships programme provides places for mid-career professionals already in positions of leadership and influence to undertake 3-month courses in fields related to the FCDO's policy goals.[4]
In 2007–08, the Chevening Scholarships cost the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office approximately £22 million.[5] In the same year the Chevening Fellowships scheme cost approximately £4 million.[5] In July 2010, the British Foreign Minister announced a cut of £10 million from the scholarships budget, in the context of wider budget cuts. This resulted in several scholarships being cancelled for 2010–11. After a review period, the 2011–12 scholarship round opened for applications in February 2011. In 2011–12, the number of scholarships was increased to more than 700 worldwide. In 2015–16, the number of scholarships was increased to 1,500.[6] In 2017–18, the total number of scholarships was 1,650.[7]
In April 2012, the Association of Commonwealth Universities took over the running of the scheme from the British Council, establishing a Chevening Secretariat. In September 2023 British Council took over as Secretariat of the scheme from the Association of Commonwealth Universities.[citation needed]
In October 2018, the Chevening Scholarships Programme celebrated its 35th anniversary by awarding a total number of 1,800 scholarships from 160 countries for the 2018–19 school year.[8] Earlier that year, the number of Chevening alumni also hit the 50,000 mark.[9]
In 2024, Chevening celebrated its 40th anniversary.[10]
The number of available scholarships varies from country to country. More than thirty scholarships are currently awarded to candidates from Nepal, India, Russia and China. Twenty or more are awarded to candidates from Egypt, South Korea, Indonesia, Bhutan, Pakistan, Mexico, Thailand and Brazil, with less than five core scholarships now available to candidates from Australia and Canada[2] (US students are not eligible, but can apply for the Marshall Scholarships which are also funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office).[citation needed]
In 2017–18, over 1,650 scholarships were awarded to students from more than 140 countries,[7] allowing students from developing countries to access UK tertiary education institutions.[11] In this way the Chevening scheme is similar to the US Fulbright Scholarships which bring students from 140 countries to the US[12] and differs from the Rhodes Scholarship scheme which currently allows applications from approximately 18 countries.[13][original research?] Winners of Chevening scholarships have received coverage in national and local newspapers.[14][15]
During the Chevening 40th anniversary in 2023, the programme said it had granted its scholarship to 1,500 Nigerians since 1983.[16][17]
The Chevening Scholarship is not available to non-indigenous Australian candidates.[18]
Selection criteria
The selection criteria for Chevening Scholarship aim to identify "high-calibre graduates with the personal, intellectual and interpersonal qualities necessary for leadership". Specific selection criteria for Chevening Scholarships vary from country to country, and from year to year. In 2017/18, of 65,000 applicants, 1,650 scholarships were awarded.[7]
Applications are made online via a web portal between early August and early November[19] of each year, except for some sponsored scholarships for which applicants apply via the co-sponsoring organisation.[19] Scholarship applicants must also apply directly to their preferred universities in the UK, usually for taught master's degree courses. Most scholarships include a living stipend, airfares and the full or partial cost of tuition fees.[citation needed]
As of 2017–18, there are an estimated 50,000 Chevening Scholarship alumni,[2] with an emphasis being placed on improved links with and between previous scholars as a consequence of reviews in 2005[20] and 2006.[21] Many Chevening Scholars have since gone on to reach positions of influence in a range of sectors.
Notable alumni include:
Abdul Hamid Bador – Inspector-General of Police, the Royal Malaysian Police (since May 2019)
A.T.M. Zahirul Alam – Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Liberia
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