History

The Chevening Programme was established in 1983 as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Scholarships and Awards Scheme and took its name in 1994. The name ‘Chevening’ derives from the Kent estate of the United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Secretary’s official residence. The programme provides scholarships for potential future leaders to study in the UK and, in recent years it has also been offering a range of professional Fellowships.

Funding

The Chevening programme is funded by the FCO and is administered by the British Council.

What is the aim of the Chevening Programme?

To attract and select for the Chevening Scholarship and Fellowship schemes those who have the greatest potential to be future leaders and who have the capacity to benefit the UK.

Chevening Scholarships

The scheme provides postgraduate courses aimed at candidates with the clear potential to be leaders. The most able and promising candidates are given awards following a competitive selection process. Up to 4/5 candidates a year may pursue master’s level studies at universities in the UK.

Chevening Scholarships are announced annually in early October.

Chevening Fellowships

The scheme offers awards for study on short courses that focus on particular subjects aligned to the FCO’s Strategic Framework. Fellowships are aimed at mid-career professionals in positions of leadership and influence who are active in the field of the fellowship subject.

Chevening Fellowships are announced annually in late Spring.

Are there any other FCO-funded scholarships for Georgian citizens?

There are several Chevening Jointly Funded Scholarships Georgian citizens are eligible for:

What types of courses can I study under the Chevening Scholarships?

Chevening scholars can pursue one-year Master's level courses at a British university. Chevening priority fields are:

However, the number of available subjects may vary from year to year.

Can I use this scholarship to study for an undergraduate degree, part time or distance learning courses or for a PhD?

No. Chevening Scholarships are intended for studies only at postgraduate level. Other courses will not be considered.

Can I study outside the United Kingdom?

No. Chevening Scholarships are only awarded for study within the United Kingdom. Some courses may, however, include short study visits outside the UK, and these are permissible.

Which universities are covered under the Chevening scheme?

When your scholarship is confirmed you will be offered a list of three universities to choose from. The list is compiled by British Council advisers in the UK. Some universities have very early admissions deadlines – examples are Oxford, Cambridge, London Business School, London School of Economics, and Kings College London - and we cannot therefore always guarantee a placement at a university of your choice.

Can I apply directly to the University of my choice?

We strongly encourage you to apply directly to UK institutions even before your scholarship is confirmed. An early offer of a place will obviously raise your chance of attending a university of your choice. Please note, however, that, even if you have already been accepted by a British university, this will not influence the selection decision.  

I am not sure which course at which university is best for my particular study needs. Can I apply for the Chevening Scholarships without identifying a specific place of study in the UK?

It is not a mandatory requirement for you thoroughly to research which academic programme or university is most suitable for your needs. The British Council's specialist advisers will recommend institutions among the best available for your academic needs. However, it is very useful to do a preliminary search and be aware of the courses and the tuition fees to avoid possible problems related, for example, to joint-funding.

How can I get the information I need about relevant courses?

Information relevant to your choice can be accessed via the following websites:

Who can apply?

These Scholarships are very competitive! The ideal candidate should have strong academic and future leadership potential and should have a clear idea of the added value a scholarship will bring. A typical successful applicant:

NB: We are particularly keen to attract Chevening applicants from outside Tbilisi and Kutaisi.

Do I need to have a first degree in the subject area I choose?

Candidates with a first degree unrelated to the chosen subject area must have solid professional experience in their chosen field. However, if you are applying for an LLM (Master of Law) course you will need to show evidence of a formal higher academic qualification in Law. Please note you will be asked to provide a certified (notarised) copy of your diploma with your application.

Do I need to have professional experience in the subject area I choose?

Subject-related job experience is a crucial factor in choosing Chevening scholars. This means that work experience which is not related to the chosen subject area will not be considered. So, for example:

-if you are applying for a course in media studies your work experience as an interpreter would not count as a credential for this particular course.

-if you are applying for a course in diplomatic studies, you should already be a practising diplomat.

I am currently living outside Georgia. Can I apply for the Chevening Scholarships?

No. Those who apply from another country are not eligible for the Chevening Programme. The only exception to this rule is for candidates currently working for a Georgian diplomatic or trade mission abroad.

Can I apply if I have already received a British Government funded scholarship?

No. If you have already received British Government funded scholarship in the past three years you are not eligible for the Chevening scheme; you may, however, apply 3 years after the completion date of your course.

Can I apply for the Chevening Scholarships if I work for the British Embassy or the British Council?

No. If you are working, or have worked in the last two years, for the British Embassy, the British Council, or for a sponsor, you will not be able to apply for the Chevening scholarships.

Can I apply if I have already been interviewed for the Chevening Scholarships but without success?

Yes. We have had cases of candidates failing their first interviews but being successful on the second attempt.

When is the competition for the Chevening Scholarships announced?

The competition is announced annually in early October.

How do you advertise the schemes?

All information is available at the British Council Office, 34 Rustaveli Avenue. We promote it on the British Council Georgia and British Embassy web sites, and we send out letters to all relevant ministries and other public and private institutions. We also advertise the schemes in the press and on www.jobs.ge. Another promotion channel is through our alumni database.

What documents do I have to submit in order to apply?

The following new method of receiving on-line applications has been introduced:

Is it possible to send my application form by post?

We do not accept application forms on paper, by post, or by fax.  Applicants should complete the Chev1 forms on-line.

If you live in conflict regions and could not access the internet  and you feel this may be a problem, please contact us well in advance of the deadline.

How are candidates selected?

Selection is carried out in three stages. First, the British Council and the British Embassy agree on a shortlist of approximately 25 applications, based on an assessment against the published criteria. Second, all short-listed candidates are invited to take the IELTS test (please see section below on IELTS) to assess their level of English. Those who obtain a minimum of 6.5 will be invited for the next stage, which is an interview. These interviews establish the final selection of candidates, and are carried out by diplomatic service representatives of the British Embassy and British Council, who may nominate other board members at their discretion.

Is it possible to reschedule either a language test or an interview date?

No. If you are invited, you are expected to take the IELTS test, or attend the interview, on the announced date.

Can you recommend how the application form should be completed?

Please refer to the section ‘How to fill specific sections of the Chevening application form.’  

Part A

•Write your name and other names exactly as they are stated in your foreign passport.

•Write your date of birth as day/month/year.

•Indicate your nationality as Georgian, unless you are a citizen of another country or stateless.

Part B

•If you wish to write anything in the box about accompanying family members, please supply only minimum of necessary information.

Part C

•In this section describe what qualifications you obtained as a result of your study (Bachelors Degree, Post Graduate Diploma, MA).

•Do not use abbreviations for institutions – write their names in full. If the location of the university is not stated in its name, include it in brackets – e.g. Central European University (Budapest).

•In the subject column list only those course subjects relevant to the main subject area of the qualification received.

•Begin with the most recently-attended institution and then list any other in reverse chronological order

•Do not include anything about your secondary education.

•Remember to put an asterisk against institutions/courses where the language of instruction was English.

Part D

•In the sections concerning your current occupation please state clearly what kind of activity you are engaged in; e.g., do not just write ‘deputy director’ – describe briefly your responsibilities.

•If you are a student, of any level, please state clearly when you expect to obtain your degree.

Part E

•In completing this section, please describe your position in a way that it will be clear what your responsibilities were/have been.

•Begin with the organisation/institution where you worked most recently/are working now, and continue in reverse chronological order.

Part F

•Clearly state your chosen subject of study. Note that the subjects listed in the competition advertisement relate to the main areas in which awards will be made; they are not specific course subjects.

•If you know the institution where you would like to study, and/or the course, name it. If you do not know and would like the British Council to identify a suitable institution for you, please do not complete this section.

General notes on writing the statement of purpose

This is the most important part of the application form. With your statement of purpose you can persuade the selection committee to accept you for interview. In order to convince them, you must be convinced yourself. You must be sure of what you want, why you want it and how this particular programme will help you.

Before beginning to write, review your intellectual and personal development over your academic and professional career so far. In answering the questions of the application form, explain why you wish to study in the UK, stating clearly the professional reasons for your proposed course of study, as this is the main point of interest. Try to demonstrate clearly how your professional development and future career will be enhanced by studying in the UK. What will it enable you to do better in the future?  Do not give any unnecessary information!

It is a good idea not to write on the application form immediately. Develop an outline first, then write a draft proposal and examine it thoroughly.

Date and signature

Please do not forget to sign and date your application.

Supporting Documents:

Personal References

You should provide us with two references. Ideally, one of these should be academic. However, if you have problems providing us with an academic reference, two professional references can be accepted instead. If the references are in Georgian, a notary-certified translation must be attached.

Official transcript of grades

All applicants must submit copies of diplomas together with official transcripts of grades from all colleges, universities and professional schools attended. A notary–certified English translation of these documents should be submitted.

What expenses are covered by the Chevening Scholarships?

The scholarships will cover your tuition fees and provide you with a monthly stipend and various one-off allowances, as well as travel to and from the UK. (Please note: the cost of the IELTS test will be covered by the scheme for short-listed candidates only).

How much would an average stipend be?

Our stipends, which are offered at standard UK rates, are designed to allow you a lifestyle comparable to that of a single UK postgraduate scholar. They cover the costs of accommodation, meals, laundry and daily travel. You will find more information about the exact amount of your stipend after you have been officially awarded the scholarship.

Can I bring my family to the United Kingdom during my scholarship?

We strongly advise that you do not bring any family members to the United Kingdom during the period of your scholarship. Most of your time will be spent studying for your qualification. The period of study is very intense and it is important that you are able to give it your full attention. Chevening scholarships are designed for single people and there are no additional allowances for partners, spouses, children or other dependants. If any members of your family wish to accompany you, they must have sufficient resources to meet all their living expenses, including schooling for the children, in the UK.

Are there any benefits to which scholars are entitled?

• All international students and dependants studying in the UK for more than six months are entitled to free health care under the National Health Service
• All students in the UK can take paid work up to 20 hours a week without requiring a work permit.

What is an IELTS test?  

All British universities require formal evidence of language proficiency for international students. IELTS - the International English Language Testing System (academic module) - is designed to assess whether a candidate is ready to study or train at undergraduate or postgraduate level. The test consists of 4 modules: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The complete test takes a total of 3 hours.

What is the Chevening requirement for IELTS?

To move to the interview stage in the selection process, a candidate should achieve a minimum global score of 6.5 in the academic version of IELTS.

Can you accept a TOEFL score as an alternative to IELTS?

Although some British universities do accept TOEFL as evidence of English language proficiency, our requirement is that all short-listed candidates take IELTS.

I have already taken the IELTS test. Do I need to resit it?

If your test report is valid (not more than two years old) and the score is 6.5 or over you do not need to re-sit it.

How can I prepare for IELTS?

You may be interested in the 40-hour IELTS preparation course in our English Learning Zone. However if you would like to attend classes there are a limited number of centres which offer IELTS preparation classes. To find out more about particular courses you should contact the schools directly: The English Language Centre  - ELC (tel: 22 23 26), Foreign Languages Learning Centre (tel: 22 06 40), Professional Training Group - PTG (tel: 22 35 47).

Will any information from my application be seen by a third party?

In submitting the Chevening application form you confirm that the information you have provided is complete and accurate.

You agree to the processing of your personal data in accordance with the FCO’s notification to the Information Commissioner under the Data protection Act 1998 (available at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk) by the FCO, which is the “data controller” for the purposes of the DPA. Your personal data will be used to assess your suitability and verify your eligibility for a Chevening scholarship and for making arrangements with Higher Education Institutes for placement, where appropriate. Your personal data may also be used in the collation of statistical information relating to Chevening applicants which will assist the FCO and the British Council in the management and administration of the Chevening scholarships programme.