Chevening Scholarship places in developing countries tripled for 2015/16
The Budget announced on 19 March included a tripling of Chevening places in developing countries for the 2015-16 academic year.
xx April 2014.
The Budget announced on 19 March included a tripling of Chevening places in developing countries for the 2015-16 academic year.
Chevening Scholarships are the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s flagship global scholarship programme aimed at future leaders, influencers and decision-makers.
An FCO spokesperson said:
“Chevening Scholarships are an important element in supporting Britain’s work overseas. The increase in Chevening Scholarships for 2015-16 will boost the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s reach and efforts to engage in developing countries and emerging powers. It will increase the number of outstanding young professionals, who have already displayed exceptional leadership talents, studying in the UK.”
Chevening Scholars are carefully selected from thousands of applicants to study at universities across the UK. Scholars are exposed to British values, culture and diversity through the duration of a one-year Master’s course which helps them gain an understanding and appreciation of what it is like to live and study in Britain.
The additional funding will bring over 1,000 more potential future leaders to the UK to study at UK universities. This means in the 2015-16 academic year, the UK will have more than 1,500 Chevening Scholars in total. All countries on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Development Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC) list of Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipients will be eligible for additional scholarship places. The distribution of these places will be decided in the coming months and will be determined by the UK’s security and prosperity priorities in developing countries and emerging powers.
Applications for Chevening Scholarships must be submitted online at www.chevening.org. Applicants should read the online guidance and be able to demonstrate how they meet the Chevening selection criteria before submitting an application. Further details of closing dates and priority subject areas will be available on the country pages of www.chevening.org.
Notes to Editors
For further information, please contact the FCO Press Office: +44 (0)207 008 3100
Additional background information:
- The Chevening programme is open to 144 countries and territories worldwide, and this year - 2014-15, the 30th anniversary of the programme - the Scholarships will support over 600 individuals.
- The Scholars follow a wide range of courses at a variety of universities in the UK, including (but not limited to) economics, finance, human rights, law, international relations, journalism, engineering and development studies.
- The majority of Chevening Scholars come from developing countries that qualify as Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible countries. Scholars are required to return to their countries following their Scholarships. Many climb to influential career positions or dedicate themselves to supporting further development within their own countries.
- Over 500 Chevening Scholars from developing countries are currently studying in the UK. During the 2013-14 academic year, 620 Chevening Scholars studied in the UK. In the 2015-16 academic year there will be more than 1,500 Chevening Scholars in total.
- A BIS study on the value of international students to the UK, published in September 2013, outlined strong evidence that the aims of the Chevening scheme were being fulfilled as Chevening and other UK-funded scholars expressed particularly strong bonds to the UK.
- FCO Posts are increasing their engagement with alumni overseas and increasingly working with them on mutually beneficial activities and events.
- The FCO in London and Posts overseas will continue to grow and develop the Chevening alumni network, currently numbering around 42,000, many of whom are now in senior positions in their home countries.
- For further information and to apply for a Chevening Scholarship please see www.chevening.org.
ENDS