What does ‘Chevening’ mean?
‘Chevening House’ is the name of the official country residence of the British Foreign Secretary. In 1994 Douglas Hurd, then Foreign Secretary, renamed the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s Scholarships and Awards scheme – “The British Chevening Scholarships Programme”, after Chevening House.


Is it necessary to have gained admission to a British university before applying for a scholarship?
No, but it is advisable to apply for admission to the universities of your choice at the same time as applying for the scholarship. We expect short-listed candidates to have obtained a letter of offer (conditional or unconditional) from the university by the time they come for interview.


What should I do if I have not received an offer letter from the university and my interview is approaching?
If candidates cannot submit the university offer letter by the time of interview, they MUST submit an acknowledgement letter from the university.


Can I study outside the UK?
No. Chevening Scholarships are only awarded for study within the UK. This means that distance learning and part-time study are NOT options.


Is it necessary to have taken an English language exam before applying?
No, but if candidates are required by the university to sit either IELTS or TOEFL then they must do so. The level of English required is established by each university. Normally the lowest acceptable mark is 6.5 for IELTS. Candidates are responsible for paying the costs of the tests.


I have Malaysian citizenship but I have been living/working abroad for many years. Can I apply?
Yes, but priority is given to those candidates with a firm commitment to Malaysia. If a candidate is short-listed he/she will be required to return to Malaysia for interview. No special interview arrangements can be made for any candidate.


Can I apply to cover the costs of PhD/postdoctoral studies?
No.


Can I apply to cover the costs of undergraduate studies or professional courses (e.g. ACCA, RIBA, ICSA, Bar Vocational courses etc.)?
No.


Are the Chevening Scholarships renewable?
No.


Do the scholarships cover the costs of taking my family with me to the UK?
No, Chevening Scholarships are designed for single people and there are no additional allowances for partners, spouses, children or other dependents. Stipends, which are offered at standard UK rates, are designed to allow you to live a comparable lifestyle to a single UK postgraduate student.


Is there any bond?
No, but candidates should have an intention to return and work in Malaysia.


Can I work permanently in the UK once my scholarship is finished?
No. We do encourage Chevening scholars to undertake work attachments in the UK during their scholarship when the opportunity arises, and many scholars take a short break and/or choose to attend their graduation ceremony before returning home. However, we expect Chevening scholars to return to Malaysia and contribute to the development of the country using the new skills and knowledge acquired in the UK. Chevening scholars agree when they accept the offer of a scholarship that they will return home after their studies are completed.