Saturday, September 1, 2018

Tips for Chevening Scholarship Application

What are your dreams in life?

What about taking a break from work, and head back to university for a Masters degree (uni and subject of your choice), on a full scholarship?

Have you ever thought of embarking on a once in a life time adventure in the UK, a gateway to Europe?

The UK Chevening Scholarship presents an opportunity, and I was a fortunate recipient in 2016-17.

Receiving award certificate from High Commissioner (Malaysia) - HE Vicki Treadell (July 2016)

You can read more info at their website: www.chevening.org (open for applications from 6 August)

Every year, 1800 scholars from around the world are chosen to embark on a year's adventure in the UK. In Malaysia, there are around 40 recipients each year. The per-capita ratio for Malaysia is one of the highest. 



From my observation, Cheveners come from a mixture of professional backgrounds, from lawyers, doctors, scientists, environmentalist, government officers, engineers, journalists, social activists and the list goes on. One thing is for sure, these people are no fluke. All are experts, leaders and high-achievers in their fields. Initially, I did feel a lack of confidence, or slightly inferior, like a small prawn in a huge lake. 

Anyway, this should not stop you from TRYING and APPLYING for the scholarship. You stand a chance only if you apply. In fact, a friend made the cut only after 3 years or applications. 

So credits to my Chevening 2016-17 friends for indirectly contributing to this post.

Malaysian Cheveners 2016-17
Tip #1: The application

The application may seem troublesome and lengthy, with essays to be written. But trust me, there are more complicated ones out there. It's an understatement to say that you've got to ace the application, as it is the only selection yardstick. It's worth every effort. 

Be sure to check and recheck your application until you are satisfied. Grammar mistakes shouldn't exist. Get a friend to proof-read it.

Or even better, get someone senior or a Chevener for advice. I consulted a Malaysian Chevener 2013/14 (Jasmine) for advice. She correctly pointed out the importance of selecting your course and university.  

Plan and approach your referees. Referees are extremely crucial, and they should understand background, abilities, and know you well to vouch for you. They should also be leaders in their fields, a mentor or someone from your profession. 

(As of July 2020, referees are not required during application stage)


Tip #2: Motivation and passion

You need to identify your motivation for applying the scholarship (and how the scholarship could contribute to your career and development). I would suggest identifying your skills, competitive advantage and passion. It needs to be convincing but realistic in the same time. You will have a stronger case if your current work is in line with your passion. 

For example, mine was rather straight forward. I am an energy person, electrical engineer by training. I placed my passion on sustainable and clean energy, and I was at the time of application, working in a power station. Working in a power station provided me with the fundamentals, technical skills and industrial insights. A year in the UK will give me valuable experience and the latest knowledge in the field of renewable and sustainable energy.

Chevening will also look for points that are reflected in your contribution to society and country as a whole. What makes a motivation or passion stand out is the proof or potential implementation in the future. Volunteering, Non-profit, charitable or Non-Government Organization (NGO) involvements add weight. I have always been an active person in co-curricular activities since secondary school and university days. I volunteer (primarily) for The IET for the last decade, and it added weight.  

Tip #3: The essays 

These are your make-or-break. There are 3 questions, and do choose your words wisely. It took me weeks to finalize my essays. 

I would recommend you to save your answers in Words, and review it multiple times. Everything you write will be cross-checked during the interview, so only write who you are. 

To judge an application based on the 3 questions (of 150 words each) is highly subjective, so spend extra time and only submit your application when your are 200% happy with it. 

Tip #4: University and Course Selection

Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College, King's College, LSE... All these are the biggest names in higher education worldwide. Since Chevening sponsors any courses in any UK university of your choice, enrolling in one of these big names is always irresistible. 

You are free to choose your universities, or your courses (3 options). My strategy, was to focus on my courses, based on the relevance, contents and suitability. More importantly, I looked at the skills that I could acquire from the Masters degree. None of the above (branded) universities were strong in energy studies, except Cambridge, which had an MPhil in Energy Technologies. According to the application rules on Chevening website, MRes is not allowed. Back then, I did not know that MPhil was acceptable. I've got a Malaysian Chevener who did MPhil at Cambridge.

At the time of application, I never contemplated listing Cambridge as one of the three choices. In retrospect, I might have listed Cambridge as a second or third choice. Who wouldn't want to? Anyway, the application for Cambridge closes in December, way earlier than the result of the scholarship application (normally around March). I wasn't someone who would apply for a place without a scholarship. 

Most universities allow application until July or August, so it is not too late to only apply when you receive the scholarship. Do check the application dates and have a rough idea on the timelines. 

Personally, I wanted to go to Scotland, specifically Glasgow. 2 of my GE Gas Turbines at Kuala Langat Power Station (which I maintained and operated early in my career) were manufactured there (Clydebank). I always knew Glasgow as an engineering city and where the Industrial Revolution (steam engines were the latest technology those days) took place. It was a place for engineers, and was where James Watt was based. It was also the birthplace of the Boys' Brigade, a uniform organization I joined and grew up with. (These were my actual answers during the interview)

Subject-wise, there were interesting courses such as Energy from Waste (EfW), Power Systems 4 and Energy Storage, which are the future. I also get to attend Glasgow University's Adam Smith Business School, taking management modules.

I ended up at the University of Glasgow - What a year!

So dare to dream, search and list down the schools you like (using http://www.chevening.org/find-a-course). Do remember putting a 'safe' choice just in case you didn't get admission in those top universities. Any taught MSc. courses (except those of Oxford, Cambrige and King's) should be relatively easy to gain admission, and international students who meet the enrollment criteria are always welcomed.  

Just remember that one of the interview questions will also be "why did you choose these universities and this courses".

During the time of application (fall 2015), I would have took any engineering courses from any UK university.

Tip #5: The Interview

Application should close before end of the year, and by March, you should know the preliminary results. 

If you receive an invitation for the interview, congratulations! (It looks really promising)

Your confidence, passion and motivation need to convince the interview panels. 

It's important to be yourself, and speak your mind. Try to keep the conversations going, seat straight but comfortable and always maintain eye-contact. Smile more often, and be frank. The interviewers (who are all very experienced in what they do) should consist of officials and staffs from the British High Commission. There was a Chevener in the panel and asked technical/engineering-specific questions.  

You've got around 30 minutes to earn a year in the UK. Chevening are looking at change agents, leaders volunteers, people with passion and ambition, who would make the world a better place. 

Bonus Tip: Prepare, research and be well informed

There are many Chevening-related pages on LinkedIn, Facebook, and many self-made videos (Youtube) and blogs around. I spent weeks combing through all of the resources I could find online. I wanted to have an overview of Chevening. I studied the list of past recipients, and the courses/universities they went to. I am sure any Chevener will be happy to advise and share with prospective applicants. We want to pay the good deed forward. 

Some extra links and tips:
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Chevening Scholarship is being organized and run by every country's British High Commission / Embassy. I felt it was rather impartial, free from any political meddling and where meritocracy prevails. Anyone from any background has an equal opportunity. 

So why wait? Head on to: http://www.chevening.org/apply


Good luck, be positive and always believe in yourself

 “Great things happen to those who don't stop believing, trying, learning, and being grateful.” R. Bennet.
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