Chevening Scholarships are awarded to individuals with demonstrable leadership potential who also have strong academic backgrounds. The scholarship offers full financial support for future leaders to study for any eligible master’s degree at any UK university whilst also gaining access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences.

Since the programme was created in 1983, over 50,000 outstanding professionals have had the opportunity to develop in the UK through Chevening. There are more than 1,500 scholarships on offer globally for the 2020/2021 academic year, demonstrating the UK’s ongoing commitment towards developing the leaders of tomorrow.

Head of Scholarships at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ben Coates, said:

Chevening represents the very best of the UK, welcoming exceptional people from across the world to study, grow, and thrive at some of the world’s best universities. Chevening can be a transformative experience, not just for the scholars, but for their communities and countries as they return and use the benefit of their UK experience to make a positive difference in their chosen field.

Our universities promote the creation and exchange of information and ideas, as well as the building of knowledge and networks. Chevening Scholars find themselves immersed in that world, and leave the UK after their studies having grown academically, professionally, and personally as a result.

With our world facing countless challenges, the role that the Chevening community plays in building bridges and collaborating across borders to solve big issues is more important than ever.

Candidates can choose from over 12,000 master’s courses at over 150 different higher education institutions. During their year in the UK scholars take part in an exclusive programme of events and activities, enabling them to experience Britain’s heritage and history, discuss international policy, and interact with thought leaders at a range of academic, cultural, and social events.

Chevening’s Head of Programme Management, Louise Thomson, said:

Recently, scholars have visited the UK prime minister’s residence at 10 Downing Street, hiked up Mount Snowdon in Wales, exhibited art in London galleries, interned at the BBC, volunteered with the elderly, debated current affairs at the Cambridge Union, and sat in the home dressing room at Anfield. Some have even visited the locations where scenes from ‘Game of Thrones’ was shot. All this whilst studying on an intense master’s course.

Chevening doesn’t just open doors, it opens your mind. You will learn so much simply by interacting with people from all over the world, travelling around the UK in your spare time, and getting involved in the communities you live in. Those who get the most out of the experience are the ones who put the most into it.

HMA to Albania, Duncan Norman, said:

We are looking for ambitious, professional, and innovative future leaders from any walk of life, who will study hard in the UK, and be open to immersing themselves in the opportunities that arise. Chevening Scholars are incredibly diverse, so there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ scholar. That said, if you have demonstrable leadership qualities and you have a clear vision for the future you want to help shape, you are very likely to fit in with our community of over 50,000 alumni worldwide.

When you return home after your studies you should feel well-equipped to start making a real difference professionally or socially. There is a lot to potentially gain from submitting a thoughtful application, so if you have what it takes to be a Chevening Scholar, I would encourage you to apply before the 5 November deadline.

The call for new applicants follows the selection of sixteen scholars from Albania, who won an award to study at a UK university this year. Successful applicants have been sharing their stories through the #ChosenForChevening hashtag on Twitter and Instagram.

More information

Visit www.chevening.org/scholarships for detailed information on the eligibility criteria and scholarship specifications.

The Social Mobility Foundation has this morning published its annual Social Mobility Index, ranking the Army as 55th and the RAF as 76th. The Ministry of Defence has also been listed 35th.

The Social Mobility Index lists organisations that have taken substantial action to improve social mobility in their workplace. The index ranks employers on the actions they are taking to ensure they are open to and accessible to progressing talent from all backgrounds.

As an open and modern employer, the armed forces welcome people from all backgrounds and have been praised for a number of initiatives which help foster social mobility.

The Army has been recognised for a number of activities that have contributed to social mobility, including offering a substantial number of apprenticeships, such as higher-level and degree apprenticeships and having positive role modelling from senior soldiers who are commissioned as late entry officers.

The Army Cadet programme has also been praised for being likely to reach young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. In 2017 an independent report from the University of Northampton also found that joining the cadets offers a range of benefits to individuals involved, including social mobility.

Minister for Defence People and Veterans Johnny Mercer said:

The armed forces are an open and modern employer and welcome anyone to their ranks, whatever their background.

Today’s listing demonstrates the positive benefits of a military career and reflects the key principle that the military want to recruit talented individuals who want to serve their country, regardless of where they come from.

The Royal Air Force has also been ranked on the Social Mobility Employer Index at 76th thanks to their extensive outreach to schools, a good range of apprenticeships and a strong recruitment section on the RAF website, with the mock-assessment centre video singled out for praise.

Chief Executive of the Social Mobility Foundation, David Johnston OBE, said:

We are delighted to see more and more employers every year taking part in our Social Mobility Employer Index. The quality of submissions this year meant we have increased the size of our Top list from 50 to 75 and it shows the very wide range of organisations trying to make progress on social mobility.

Whilst no employer would say they have cracked their social mobility challenge, all of the employers in the Top list – along with those that didn’t quite make it – should be congratulated for the efforts they’re making to ensure their organisation is open to talent from all class backgrounds.

Forestry Commissioner Julia Grant has been reappointed as a board member for a second three-year term from 1 November 2019 following the completion of her initial term in office.

Julia has held leadership roles in global consulting firms, insurance and the social sector in a career spanning 30 years and has deep experience of the link between the business and non-business worlds, including investing for impact. She is currently chief executive of Pro Bono Economics, a charity helping other charities and social enterprises to understand and improve their impact.

Prior to this she held leadership positions at Impetus the Private Equity Foundation, the National Gardens Scheme and Surrey Community Action (the rural community council for Surrey), where she built on her longstanding interest in landscape, heritage and the environment.

She has extensive non-executive and board experience including ministerial appointments at the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Learning and Skills Council Surrey, where she served on the Audit and Diversity Committees.

She is currently a trustee of the Education Development Trust, a global education charity, and sits on the Advisory Board of Helpforce, working to promote volunteering across the NHS. Other trustee roles have included have included Shelter and the Community Foundation for Surrey. She read Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University and holds an MBA from London Business School.

Julia will continue to receive remuneration at the rate of £409 per day with a time commitment of up to 30 days per annum. All reappointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the process.

This reappointment complies with the Ministerial Code of Governance on Public Appointments. There is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if significant) to be declared. Julia has declared that she has not taken part in any political activity in the past five years.

Details about the Forestry Commission management structure can be seen here.

The Housing Minister the Rt Hon Esther McVey MP has written to Broxtowe Borough Council to remind them of the importance the government attaches to maximising use of previously developed land for new development.

The letter has been published as it raises matters that are likely to be applicable to other local authorities.

Read the Planning Inspectorate report on the Examination of Broxtowe council’s Part Two Local Plan.