The Chevening Scholarships programme is funded by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and administered by us. The programme offers outstanding graduates and young professionals the opportunity to study at UK universities.

The awards are made for one year's formal study for a postgraduate qualification or for a shorter period of not less than three months to pursue private study or research at a university or similar institution in Britain.

Chevening scholarships are not available to anyone who has benefited in the last three years from other awards funded by the British Government. In the 2008/09 academic year five were offered (the number of scholarships offered varies each year).

The scholarship includes:

• a return economy airfare to the UK from any Australian city
• all compulsory academic fees
• monthly stipend
• book allowance
• thesis allowance

Candidates should have a strong undergraduate degree (emphasis is placed on applications with First or Second Class Honours)

Intend to study a one-year taught Masters or between three and twelve months research towards an Australian PhD in the UK.

Be citizens or permanent residents of Australia.

Chevening scholarships are targeted towards a broad range of fields and disciplines. Priority is given to the following areas:

• Science and innovation
• New and renewable energy resources and energy security
• Global environmental issues
• Science policy
• Sustainable development
• Human rights
• Political science

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) makes the final decision on applications for Chevening scholarships. Candidates are assessed on academic merit; achievements to date both in and outside of the academic and workplace areas; referees' letters; proposed area of study and future career in line with FCO priority areas; leadership potential and potential to further strengthen the UK-Australia bilateral relationship.

Short-listed candidates should be available for interview in January, and February in Australia.

You must indicate which courses and institutions you would like to attend on your application form. You are strongly advised to apply to those institutions before receiving an award, as places on popular courses fill early.

Important information for all applicants

• Applications for Chevening Scholarships for study in the 2009/10 academic year are now open. The application deadline is midnight Sunday 19 October.
• Applications will ONLY be accepted via the new online application system. For further details on how to submit your application, and to complete the online application procedure, please go to: https://www.chevening.fco.gov.uk/CheveningApplications/ca_start.aspx
• No late applications will be accepted
• In your application you will be asked to list contact details for two referees. Note, referees should be professional and/or academic.
• A Medical Form is only required once an award has been made

If you want to go to Oxford you have two opportunities to apply for Chevening:

• British Council Australia
• Oxford Chevening scholarship.

For the Oxford Chevening scholarships you must obtain application forms directly from the appropriate university.

In some cases you may be sent the application forms after your application to the university is received or as part of the application pack.

Visit the Oxford website for more details.