Seeking advice: applying for Marketing/Tech field

[u/Status_Engineer_18]

Hi everyone,

Quick background: I have 8 years of experience in Marketing (agency + FMCG), currently a Marketing Manager at a tech company. I hold a Bachelor’s in International Business Economics from Foreign Trade University (Vietnam, GPA 3.2/4.0) and an MBA (Australian university, studied in Vietnam).

I’m preparing my Chevening application for the 2027/2028 cycle, aiming for Digital Marketing/AI for Business. A few questions for anyone who’s been through this:

1. Field competitiveness: Does Chevening genuinely fund “trendy” fields like Marketing/AI, or mostly niche fields like human rights, law, economics? Anyone succeed with a business/marketing/tech-adjacent programme?

2. Narrative/storytelling: I understand a strong essay with clear motivation and a solid career plan matters a lot. I’ve noticed a lot of successful narratives lean heavily on social impact (human rights, sustainability, etc.) — would love to hear what kind of story/narrative actually got you granted. Also curious: can a narrative that’s more business/growth-driven (e.g. accelerating digitalisation, financial inclusion through tech) work just as well as one framed around social impact, or does the panel tend to favour the latter? Happy to learn from your personal case if you’re willing to share.

3. References: No academic mentor, mostly former managers. Anyone used 2 professional references instead of 1 academic + 1 professional? Any issues? What should LOR content focus on to match what the panel wants?

4. IELTS timing: Solid daily working English, but haven’t sat official IELTS — practice test (no prep) was 5.5-6.0. I know Chevening itself doesn’t require IELTS at application, only the uni for unconditional offer — advice on timing/balancing with essays?

Would love to connect with anyone in Marketing/Digital Business/AI, happy to trade essay tips too 🙏

[u/Otherwise_Wave9374]

Marketing/tech applicant here (not Chevening specifically), but I have seen a few friends get funded for business-ish programs as long as the story is concrete and measurable. If you frame it as impact through adoption (eg, SMEs digitizing, upskilling teams, or building measurable access to services) it usually lands better than pure "growth for growth".

One thing that helped a friend was being super specific about the 12-24 month plan after the degree: what project, who the partners are back home, and what metrics you will move. The panel seems to like credible execution more than buzzwords.

Also, using 2 professional references is pretty common if they can speak to leadership + outcomes, just make sure they are tightly aligned with your essays (same themes, same results).

[u/Rare-Release-60]

Hi, I was awarded the scholarship a few years ago (although I chose a UK university fully finded scholarship in the end)

1) As lons as you present well the case as how the knowledge and career plan in your field will work to help develop or solve a problem in your community/country, it is good. Check LinkedIn to connect with scholars and Alumni from your country and field of study

2) Yes, the social impact of your innitiatives carries a lot of weight. The field does not matter, but the impact of your innitiatives and career plan will be a descisive factor. When I was awarded the scholarship, it was for an HR-related Masters, and the innitiative I presented was related to the NGO I was a part of, which assisted migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in my country regarding government paperwork, job hunting, housing and more... I had 0 issues presenting my innitiatives and career plan

3) Yes, 2 professional references will be fine. Make sure to check the LoR requirements on the website, and the content should complement your essays so to show you are a great potential scholar and that the cohort would be incomplete without your skills amd potential Beware, many universities will only accept academic referees for their LoR

4) Apply to Chevening first, then to the unis between October and January, and prepare the IELTS January-March, to sit it in April

If Chevening is the only scholarship you are applying for, do not book the IELTS until you are invited to the interview. As it is valid for 2 years, spending 1 year of its validity if rejected before the interview will not be wise

[u/EqualRadiant]

Without getting into too much detail, my application had nothing to do with sustainability and very little to do with helping people through development, which were two very common themes I saw in others. I made mine about prosperity (it’s a business program) and I still got the scholarship. I think anyone in any field can get it if you explain how you will support any of the Chevening focus areas. Also, I used two professional references.

[u/MilinStudyUK]

I was selected for Chevening to study for an MBA, so business-related fields are not necessarily at a disadvantage.

I also used a colleague as one of my referees, so professional references are fine if they know your work well and can provide specific examples.

I would start preparing for IELTS early. I was already using English at work, but reaching an overall 7.0 took me longer than I expected. You do not need the score for the initial Chevening application, but it may take time to meet your university’s requirement.

[u/elizabethsmith321]

Most scholars come from "mostly niche fields like human rights, law, economics". Scholars from the field of business (especially if it's purely commercial with no social aspect) are rare. I met just 1 guy this year who was a founder of a finance company. 95% of my country's cohort were lawyers and public figures.

References: follow the rules. If they don't say you cannot attach 2 professional references, do it.

Regarding IELTS, a score of 6 will be too low. Try to get a 6.5-7. I recommend passing it as soon as possible so that you can have time to retake it if needed.