British Govt's 2014-15 Chevening Scholarship open for Applications Sept. 1, As total of 1,050 Nigerians Benefit

British Govt announces 2014-15 Chevening Scholarship

Applications for the 2014-2015 Chevening Scholarships, the prestigious global scholarship program of the UK government, opens on September 1.

Scholarships will support over 600 established or emerging leaders from 118 countries worldwide. They are typically for a one-year Master's degree in any subject and at any of the UK's leading universities.

“The Chevening program provides a unique opportunity for leaders of the future to build a global network of continuing professional significance. It enables talented individuals to establish social, cultural, academic or commercial partnerships with the UK,” said British Ambassador Designate to the Phillipines Asif Ahmad.

The programme is a United Kingdom government's scholarship programme, funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. Scholars are hand-picked by British Embassies and High Commissions throughout the world, sometimes in partnership with sponsoring organization.

Applicants must:

• be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country, with the intent to return there at the end of the period of study;
• hold a degree that is equivalent to at least an upper second-class honors degree in the UK;
• achieve the minimum Chevening English language requirement;
• have completed at least two years’ work or equivalent experience before applying for a Chevening Scholarship;
• be able to obtain the correct visa, and receive an unconditional offer from a UK university.

Applications for the 2014-15 Chevening Scholarships must be submitted online at www.chevening.org.

Further guidelines will be posted on the official website, and must be read before the submission of applications. Closing dates and priority subject areas are available on the country pages of the Chevening website.

1,050 Nigerians Benefit from UK Scholarships

Meanwhile, one thousand and fifty Nigerians have benefited from the Chevening Scholarships so far.

The programme, according to a statement from the British High Commission in Abuja, makes award to outstanding scholars with leadership potential from around the world to study postgraduate courses at universities in the UK and it is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

"Over 1,050 Nigerians have benefited from a Chevening Scholarship and are in positions of leadership across the country. This year, 11 Nigerians have been awarded a Scholarship for 2013-14 to study in a range of fields such as Medical Research, International Law and Finance and Accountancy," the statement read.

The Chevening programme, launched in 1983, has developed into a prestigious international scheme, attracting many applicants from over 116 countries worldwide with many Chevening alumni all around the world.

According to the statement, "Chevening scholars share the qualities of ambition, drive and leadership potential, a commitment to change and organisational development, and a talent for innovation and creativity."

2013 is the 30th anniversary of the Chevening program. It was established in 1983 and has since then produced over 42,000 Chevening alumni around the globe.

Related: British Chevening Scholarships for Commonwealth Country Students