The British Chevening Scholarships, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, are prestigious awards enabling future leaders to study in the United Kingdom. The scholarships are offered in more than 150 countries and give talented graduates and young professionals the opportunity to become familiar with the UK and gain skills which will help them make an outstanding contribution in their field. The scholarship will also introduce them to a network of fellow future leaders and decision-makers.

The British Embassy in Beirut is offering a number of Chevening Scholarships to enable Lebanese and Palestinian (resident in Lebanon) nationals to undertake postgraduate study in the UK during the academic year 2010/11. We are looking for truly outstanding future leaders, who can not only prove academic excellence and fluency in English but can demonstrate that they have already made an impact in their field and that they will continue to do so in the future.

The scholarships are fully funded and cover course fees, living allowance and return airfare. The scholarships are for postgraduate study of up to a maximum of twelve months. Most scholars undertake Masters programmes, but awards to pursue short courses or research for between three to twelve months are also offered.

Applications are invited for study in all subject areas, however priority will be given to the following: Sustainable Development, Environment, Human Rights and Good Governance, Economics, Finance and Banking, Media, Politics and International Law, Energy, Public Administration.

Selection process:

Competition for scholarships is very high. The selection process is rigorous and includes short-listed candidates attending a demanding interview in which a panel will assess whether they can satisfactorily prove that they have already made an impact in their area of specialism and that they will genuinely be future leaders. Only applicants who meet the following criteria will normally be considered:

• A university degree, usually A grade (but in exceptional circumstances B grade considered)
• Minimum of 5 years post-graduate work experience in which they have shown a track record of leadership and impact
• Excellent command of English
• Between the ages of 25 and 35
• Good health and free from all military or official service requirements

Applications and deadline:

On 01 October 2009, we will begin accepting applications for the Chevening Scholarship Scheme for the Academic year 2010/2011. You can only apply on-line.

The deadline to apply is 20 December 2009. No applications will be accepted after this date.

Applicants who do not have an English Proficiency proof are strongly encouraged to sit for the IELTS test offered by the British Council (Booking priority for  the IELTS test will be given to Scholarship applicants)