UK University Application Process
Tips for Applying to UK Universities with Chevening Scholarship
Hi there! The purpose of applying to the Chevening program is your desire to study at one of the prestigious universities in the UK. So, whilst it´s important to succeed in the Chevening application, you also need to ensure you succeed in your university applications.
Now that we´ve discussed about the Chevening application, it’s time to look at how I approached the university/course application process. If this is your first time visiting my blog, I highly recommend you read my first post “The Chevening Research & Preparation Stage”, where I explain how I decided which universities to apply to.
By the time I chose the three universities I wanted to apply to—and before I started writing my essays for Chevening—I had already reached out to someone at each university (This contact might be a professor of your desire course, someone from the International Engagement department, etc.). This helped me clarify my doubts and establish a connection that proved valuable throughout the application process.
In my case, I followed these steps when applying to universities:
Research the Program: Visit the official website of the university and find the specific program that interests you. Here are some aspects you should check:
Does this program classify as an eligible course for a Chevening Scholarship?
A global description of what you are expected to learn after completing the course.
The compulsory and electives modules you are required to pass.
Entry requirements.
English language requirements.
Start Your Application: Once you’ve chosen your program, begin your application and prepare the necessary documents. Here’s what I was generally required to provide:
Passport/Formal ID document: You’ll need to upload your passport at some point in the application process. If you don’t have it available when you start your application, don´t worry, but make sure you get it as soon as possible.
Degree certificate: This needs to be in English, translated by a certified organization in your country if it was issued in another language.
Transcript of marks: For each year of your previous studies, translated into English if necessary.
Two references: One academic and one professional. Discuss with your referees the aspects they should highlight about you that align with what the universities are looking for in successful candidates.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume: One of Chevening’s requirements is having at least two years of work experience (equivalent to 2,800 hours). When preparing your CV, remember that the format and content may differ depending on the business culture of the country you’re applying to. For my applications, I used a template provided by one of my chosen universities and applied it to all three. Please note below the file in case you want to have a look - (extracted from the official website of Imperial College Business School of London)
Cover Letter/Statement of Purpose: In this document, explain why you chose the program and how it aligns with your future career aspirations. Here are some tips:
Research the University’s Preferences: Look for information on what the university values in its students, especially for your chosen program. Tailor your letter to show how you meet these criteria.
Structure and Clarity: Use a professional layout and structure your paragraphs evenly. Avoid contractions and slang. If you need to use acronyms, spell them out the first time, followed by the acronym in parentheses, and just then you can use only the acronym later in the letter.
Check for Errors: Use tools like Grammarly or seek help from a professional to ensure your letter is free from grammatical mistakes.
Use an Appropriate Font: Choose a professional font like Times New Roman, size 12 pt, unless the university specifies otherwise.
Layout of my cover letter:
- Present your main goal - Start with a strong, inspiring opening sentence. Clearly introduce your main goal in the first paragraph. This will set the tone for the rest of your letter.
- Build your case! Explain why pursuing a master’s degree is so important to you. Briefly mention the career plan you aim to develop, highlighting how it will contribute to both your personal and professional growth as well as to society. Specify what aspects of this particular program at this specific university appeal to you the most, such as certain modules or faculty expertise.
- Discuss the University: Highlight what attracts you to the university. Consider mentioning factors such as its location, ranking, or the diverse international network it offers. Be cautious when discussing rankings—while it’s okay to mention them, avoid overemphasizing this aspect. The university is already aware of its strong position in the rankings, so focus on more meaningful reasons for your interest.
- Relevant Background: Discuss any academic or research projects that have equipped you with the skills required for this master’s program. Mention any significant achievements, such as scientific publications or outstanding academic results, that demonstrate your capabilities.
- Professional Experience: Highlight your professional experiences that are relevant to the program. Focus on the skills you gained and how they align with what the university looks for in successful candidates.
- Fit with the Program: This is your opportunity to demonstrate how you fit the profile of the ideal candidate for this master’s program. Describe the attributes and skills that you believe the university values in a student and explain how you embody these qualities. Remember, they are looking for candidates who are likely to succeed in the program, as their reputation is tied to the success of their graduates.
- Personal Interests: Mention your passion for traveling, discovering new cultures, or studying foreign languages, if applicable. This can show your adaptability and enthusiasm for an international academic environment.
- Conclusion: Conclude with a strong closing paragraph that reinforces your suitability for the program and your commitment to achieving your academic and career goals. Furthermore, that you would be honored if they could consider your application, in which case, it would be very helpful if they could issue a conditional offer as a way to put yourself in a better position to win the Chevening scholarship.
English Language Certificate (if applicable): If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide evidence of your proficiency, such as IELTS or TOEFL scores. I chose to take the IELTS test. Even if you consider yourself proficient in English, I strongly advise preparing for the test, as it has specific requirements and strategies you need to master.
Timing is crucial: The Chevening interview results are usually released around June, and you need to provide at least one unconditional offer from a UK university to Chevening by mid-July. This leaves you with a very short window to send the offer after receiving your interview results. Since the English test results and the university’s processing time can delay this, it’s better to take the test well in advance. Plan to have your test results ready a few months before July to avoid last-minute issues.
Tuition Fees: Universities will usually set a deadline for submitting part of the tuition fees. Explain to them that you are a prospective Chevening scholar and request their understanding in deferring the payment. This is where that contact inside of the university can be very helpful as well. As I’ve mentioned before, this person knowing your case from the very beginning, apart from the Admissions department, is priceless. I really cannot say this enough: Look for it!
Chevening Partner Universities:
One common question among Chevening applicants is whether choosing a Chevening partner university is a safer option. On this matter, I have a few points for you to consider...
Applying to a Chevening partner university can be a strategic move, especially if they offer co-funded scholarships with the Chevening program or have strong connections to your field of interest. However, it's important to prioritize finding the best program for your career goals. A well-reasoned application to a non-partner university can be just as competitive, if not more so, if it demonstrates a strong alignment with your goals and Chevening’s values.
Ultimately, your success in both the Chevening and university applications will depend on the strength of your overall profile, including your academic and professional achievements, leadership potential, and your ability to articulate how your chosen course and university will help you contribute to your home country’s development.
Tuition Fees Cap:
Another common concern for many applicants is about tuition fees: “Am I asking for too much? Will Chevening have enough funding for the program I’m applying for?” And let me tell you…this is not an unreasonable worry. Chevening operates on an international funding base, with a budget allocated to each country to grant scholarships to a set number of successful applicants. This doesn’t mean you should only look for low-cost courses, but if your first-choice university has high tuition fees, consider ensuring that your other two options are more accessible in case adjustments are needed.
Remember, Chevening not only covers tuition fees but also provides a monthly stipend for living costs, flight tickets, and other expenses. This comprehensive support is worth considering when selecting your courses.
Important! - Some applicants think there is a general cap of £22,000, as this is the limit set for MBA programs. However, it’s important to know, as explained on the official Chevening website, that this cap only applies to MBAs, not to other courses. My program, for instance, was slightly above this amount.
Anyhow, don’t compromise on quality just to save money. If a higher-cost program is the best fit for your career goals and aligns well with Chevening’s values, it may still be worth applying. Just be sure to have a backup plan with your other two options.
And with this, I hope this post has been helpful in your journey applying for universities. In any case, you can always leave a comment below if you have any question and I will gladly reply based on my experience…See you soon😉