Chevening Scholarships at UCL

A dream realised and quite literally a life-changing moment knowing what an incredible opportunity it would be to access world-class education and gain valuable skills from my fully funded master’s programme at UCL, a top 10 globally ranked University.

This is in addition to joining the prestigious Chevening network of current and future leaders, innovators, as well as changemakers who share the determination and vision of making a positive global impact. There is also the aspect of immersing yourself in the rich culture and exploring the beautiful places that the United Kingdom has to offer. I must say, I have never been outside of my home country, and what better way to do it.

Becoming a Chevening Scholar involves going through a selection process that takes a minimum of eight months (daunting I know, but you discover a lot about yourself). During that period, you will submit a written application and if shortlisted, will be invited to attend an interview. Successful candidates then receive a conditional offer and begin planning for the incredible journey that lies ahead! As the saying goes, if your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.

I am privileged to be a Chevening scholar and studying my dream course of Master of Clinical Pharmacy, International Practice and Policy at UCL. Chevening has provided me the opportunity to enjoy a top-quality education at UCL and learn from the world's best healthcare system through clinical attachment without the burden of financial constraints. The huge Chevening community opens limitless networking opportunities with leaders across the world. Personally, I had the chance to help organise and participate in Chevening Alumni Alliance Hackathon. Not only did I learn from influential digital health experts, but I could also network and exchange ideas among other scholars and alumni through this global event.  

Studying in the UK as a Chevening scholar has offered me a unique opportunity to immerse myself in a vibrant and diverse culture. Engaging with people from different backgrounds has allowed me to gain multiple perspectives on international health issues and foster collaboration for a better patient care. 

One of the hallmark benefits is the access to an esteemed exclusive network of Chevening scholars. As a Chevening Scholar, you become part of a prestigious network of stellar individuals coming from all over the world. Interacting with scholars from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and disciplines broadens your horizons, fosters cross-cultural understanding, and stimulates collaboration on a global scale. The friends and connections you build during your Chevening journey will last a lifetime, enabling you to leverage an invaluable network of professionals, experts, and future leaders. 

Chevening provides an unparalleled experience and a perfect stage to develop and polish yourself at the highest tier on all fronts. As a Chevening Scholar, you gain exposure to new perspectives and innovative ideas through the intellectually stimulating ecosystem of the UK’s best academic institutions which further enriches the Chevening experience. This exposure accelerates professional development and equips one to make a lasting impact. The experience is indeed transformative, empowering you to become a future leader who can make a meaningful difference in your community and beyond.

I succeeded in getting a Chevening Scholarship after 3 years of continuous effort and a lot of introspection.The overall experience of staying and studying in London would not have been possible if I was not a Chevening Scholar. Studying in the UK not only gave me amazing lifelong friendships but also gave me a new perspective on life. In addition, I gained a lot of confidence knowing that I can stay and thrive in a new city with new people.

The happiness of seeing the other part of the world, watching snowfall for the first time, seeing the Thames and the London eye, innumerable parties with friends and a visit to the Scottish Highlands, are some of the memories I will cherish forever. The year went by so quick that it's hard to believe. I will truly miss and cherish all these beautiful memories which were possible because of the Chevening Scholarship. 

Being a scholar distinctly gave me an edge, recognition and respect in all the circles I went to. One of the most exciting skills I learned in last year was ability to think critically and the ability to write meaningful academic pieces. As a result, I am more confident about doing a PhD in the future. I aspire to bring changes in the health domain upon my return to India and I feel very emotional to think about saying goodbye to all the wonderful people I have met in the last year. 

As a recipient of the Chevening scholarship, my experience has been rewarding.Not only has it provided support to allow me to prosper academically, but it has also encouraged me to engross myself in the rich tapestry of UK culture through a multitude of facilities. I relished the chance to travel across stunning landscapes in the UK, enjoying the picturesque coast of Cornwall when visiting Eden Project, the cultural gems of Edinburgh, and the vibrant energy of Brighton through the scholar-led activities. The highlight of my journey has been volunteering. From becoming the UCL Sustainability Ambassador, planting trees and gardening, to proofreading and sorting donations, the scholarship has enabled me to give back to local communities and meet like-minded people, amplifying our effort to positively impact society. The invitation to receive an award in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office with a group of Chevening volunteers strongly affirmed that 'what we do matters'. 

For some people, taking this chance means leaving things behind in their country; sometimes, it is not easy. But a chance to become a better version of yourself might be just one step away! With its pre-departure briefing and continuous assistance from our dedicated programme officers, Chevening made our life transition more manageable. Moreover, I got to meet an incredible cohort of scholars with diverse backgrounds from 160+ countries, passionate about seeking higher education and making meaningful contributions in their respective fields. I will forever cherish the adventures and connections formed through this Chevening journey!

There is no denying that universities in the UK are world-leading institutions. I have always wanted to pursue a master's course at one of the most prestigious institutes in urban development, the Bartlett Development Planning Unit at UCL. However, coming from Argentina, aspiring to this world-class education without financial aid isn't easy. That is why, when I started looking for funding options, I soon discovered that the Chevening Scholarship offered awards to study in the UK for one year on a fully funded master's degree course. I realised that Chevening could allow me to gain more experience at an international level and keep strengthening my academic and professional career to come back to my country and aspire to assume higher-level positions to contribute to developing a socially just urban governance approach in my city.  

Even though there is no Chevening scholar profile, I learned that we all shared the aim to contribute to a better world. That is why I firmly believe Chevening is much more than fully funded tuition fees and financial support. It is the opportunity to become part of a prestigious worldwide community of professionals, meet leaders and experts from different fields and extend networks with fellow scholars worldwide. After this year, I am returning home with a network of more than 50,000 alumni and many new friends that I know are the leaders of the near future.