If you want a postgraduate scholarship to complete your postgraduate program in the UK, you should consider the Chevening Scholarship.
This is one of the most prestigious awards you can get anywhere in the UK.
It provides opportunities for students from various countries, including Nigeria, to pursue their postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom.
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The trick with this scholarship is that; aside from being eligible for it, you need to submit an excellent application to stand a chance.
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If you’re a Nigerian student and want to apply for the Chevening Scholarship, we are here to walk you through “how to apply for the Chevening scholarship in Nigeria”.
From the application process, eligibility requirements, required documents, and tips for a successful application, we’ve got you covered.
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What is the Chevening Scholarship all about?
The Chevening Scholarship is an international scholarship program funded by the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and partner organizations.
It aims to develop global leaders by offering fully-funded scholarships for one-year master’s degree programs at eligible UK universities.
Can Nigerians apply for the Chevening Scholarship?
Yes, Nigerians are eligible to apply for the Chevening Scholarship. Nigeria is one of the eligible countries, as a Nigerian, you are allowed to apply for the Chevening Scholarship.
How to apply for Chevening scholarship in Nigeria
To apply for the Chevening Scholarship in Nigeria, first, you need to check if you’re eligible for the scholarship, to be eligible, you must be a Nigerian, have a good academic background, work experience, English skills, and a plan to return to Nigeria after studying in the UK.
Once you confirm that you are eligible, you can go to the official Chevening scholarship website and sign up. After signing up, you need to fill out the application form and pick up to three courses you like in an eligible UK university.
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Next, gather and send in all the required documents like your academic records, English test scores, reference letters, and a valid ID.
Step 1: Check if you are eligible for the scholarship
If you are not eligible for the scholarship, there is no need to apply for it.
The first step you need to take is to check if you are eligible – only when you confirm that you are eligible that you should proceed with your application.
Below are the eligibility requirements for the Chevening Scholarship.
What are Chevening requirements?
- Citizenship: You must be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country like Nigeria.
- You need to have completed your undergraduate program: Aside from being a Nigerian, the scholarship is for postgraduate students so you need an undergraduate degree (that will allow you to gain entry to a postgraduate program at a UK university).
- Work experience: Not much is required here, you should have at least two years of work experience, but there are exceptions here because you are a Nigerian – you don’t necessarily need the work experience but if you have it, it is a plus to your application..
- English proficiency: Its the UK – English is the primary language, so you need to be proficient in English language. To demonstrate that you are proficient in the English language, you can present proof that your undergraduate program was done in the English language. If you don’t provide any proof of your proficiency in the English language, you need to take recognized English language tests (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL).
- Leadership and networking skills: To increase your chances of getting this scholarship, you should show evidence of leadership qualities, networking skills, and a strong academic background that aligns with the Chevening criteria.
- Provide proof of your commitment to return to Nigeria: The UK authorities need you to return to Nigeria after your studies so you have to provide proof of your commitment to return to Nigeria once you are done with your program in the UK.
After going through the application requirements and you are eligible to apply, congratulations, you can now move to the next step.
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Step 2: Register online
The online application is where you provide details about yourself, your chosen course and why you intend to study in the UK.
Visit the official Chevening website and create an account.
After creating your account, you need to complete the registration process – provide correct information about yourself.
Step 3: Choose available courses
Choose a course of study that aligns with the courses available at your preferred eligible Chevening Scholarship universities.
To know the available courses, you can browse the list of eligible courses offered at UK universities under the Chevening Scholarship program.
Choose up to three courses that align with your academic and career goals.
Step 4: Get all the required documents ready
Before you complete your application, you need to submit the following documents, so, get them ready.
- Academic transcripts and certificates from your undergraduate degree and any postgraduate studies.
- English language proficiency test results (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL).
- Two reference letters from people who can assess your academic and leadership potential.
- Valid passport or national ID card.
- Personal Statement
If you don’t know where these documents are currently, find them.
With your details ready, it is time to start the application properly.
Step 5: Fill out the application form
Because you already created an account:
- Log in to your Chevening account and fill out the online application form.
- You will be asked to provide detailed information about your previous education, work experience, leadership roles, and reasons for applying for the Chevening Scholarship.
Answer every question in the application portal. Do not make false claims about yourself.
Make sure that you go through their helpful tips to understand the details you need to provide, you can check them here on the Chevening guidance pages
Your application isn’t complete if you don’t choose your preferred courses.
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Select your preferred courses from the list of eligible programs at UK universities.
You should pick courses that are relevant to your academic interests.
What courses are eligible for the Chevening Scholarship?
Some eligible courses for the Chevening scholarship are:
- Business and management studies.
- Engineering and technology.
- Law and legal studies.
- Public administration and policy.
- Social sciences.
- Environmental studies.
- Health and medicine.
- Education.
- Arts and humanities.
- Science and research programs.
You can find the remaining eligible courses (and eligible universities) on the official Chevening website.
Step 6: Write Personal Statements
You need a personal statement – an excellent one.
Craft compelling personal statements that will highlight your academic achievements, goals, leadership experiences, and reasons for pursuing higher education in the UK.
You must tailor each personal statement to the specific course or aspect of your application.
Step 7: Submit all the required documents
Do you remember the documents you prepared in step 4? Now is the time to scan and upload them.
Upload scanned copies of all required documents (they are your academic transcripts, English language test results, reference letters, and a valid passport or ID card).
Make sure that your documents meet the Chevening Scholarship’s formatting and content requirements.
Once you are done with the documents, you need to go through the application form again.
Double-check your application form and documents – make sure that everything is accurate and follow the Chevening guidelines.
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Step 8: Submit your application
Once you have checked everything and they are correct, submit your application through the Chevening online portal.
Keep a copy of your application confirmation or reference number for future reference.
Step 9: Wait for an interview invitation
If you are shortlisted, you will receive an invitation for an interview.
Prepare very well for the interview – research everything about Chevening’s values, UK government priorities, and global issues.
Prepare thoughtful responses to potential questions. The interview is either in person or via video conference.
After the interview, you have to wait for the final decision on your Chevening Scholarship application.
Results are usually announced in the months following the interview period.
If selected for the Chevening Scholarship, follow the instructions they will provide for you to accept the scholarship offer.
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Complete any additional requirements or paperwork as instructed by the Chevening Secretariat.
Once your scholarship acceptance is confirmed, you can begin preparing for your studies in the UK.
Arrange travel, accommodation, visa, and other logistics well in advance of your program start date.
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If you are a Nigerian who wants to complete your postgraduate program in the UK, you can check out this scholarship, it has helped numerous Nigerian students, and you could be the next Nigerian recipient.
