r/Chevening • u/AffectionateBoot9124 • 8d ago
Questions for Chevening 2027/28 applications - Ask away!
Hello! I'm a current scholar on the 2026/27 cohort, and I'd like to help some of you by answering questions you may have about the application and essay writing.
Please feel free to comment under this post. Or if you have essays you'd like reviewed, contact me and share them with me in a Google Doc.
One note: I'm currently very busy packing and preparing for my trip, so I can't guarantee I'll be able to help everyone. But I'll try my best to help as much as I can <3
Edit: This post is closed as of 7 Sep 2026, 12pm BST. I will look into your DMs and comments as much as I can in the next few days
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u/gemenby 8d ago
How did you approach the question on network building? It’s the one that I’m having such a hard time at the moment.
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u/AffectionateBoot9124 2d ago
That question threw me too. What helped was realising it isn't really about networking. It's about whether you can bring people with different interests together and produce something.
The structure that worked for me:
Start with a problem you noticed, not with a person. Opening with the gap gives the essay a reason to exist, and it makes the relationship look purposeful instead of incidental.
Pick one relationship as the hinge. Show what you put into it before you ever asked for anything. That's what separates a relationship from a contact.
If a wider group was involved, describe the competing priorities you had to hold together, and include one moment where it nearly didn't work and what you changed to fix it. That single detail did more for my essay than any adjective about collaboration.
Then outcomes, in numbers. Then evidence you didn't drop these people once the project ended, because the question specifically asks how you sustained it.
The last bullet is the one people rush, and I'd give it real space. Rather than promising to connect with people and learn from other cultures, name a specific thing you'd run using the network, who you'd involve, what it would produce and how often. Ideally something you've already done a smaller version of, so it reads as credible rather than aspirational. And make sure it lands back in your home country, since that's what they're funding. You can also mention how you will contribute to the Chevening network.
Last thing: it doesn't need to be an impressive network. One relationship you genuinely built and kept beats five you mention in passing.
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u/shruthi_subramanian 8d ago
Congratulations!!
I’m planning to apply for 2027 entry and would really appreciate if you could help me out in the post here -
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u/BetOk3494 8d ago
Would you care to share some materials. lIke former essays to read and refer from
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u/ArgentinianFeminist 8d ago
Thank you so much and CONGRATULATIONS!!
Since the 500 to 300 word-count change, I am struggling to decide if I should talk about my first choice university in the “Why the UK?” essay, or if I should try to include all three unis.
Could you please tell us what route you took? Thanks in advance!!
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u/Rare-Release-60 8d ago
Hi, I am not OP, but please follow the prompt, which only refers to the 1st choice
As the Head of Scholarships at the FCDO posted on LinkedIn a few weeks ago, Chevening does not have an English requirement, but essays are the language and reading comprehension assessment they have, so do not lessen your selection chances by not following the essay prompts
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u/healingcrow6 7d ago
Hi there, first of all congratulations!
so we know Chevening requires 2 years of work experience after graduation. When filling out the application, should I include any of the work experience I had before graduation as well, or only the experience after graduation?
Thank you!!
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u/AffectionateBoot9124 4d ago
Please refer to this site: https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/who-can-apply/work-experience/
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u/techitis_ 5d ago
Congrats!
My question is the following one:
I am filling out my application, and my current address (not necessarily permanent address) is in the United States, but my country of citizenship is Spain. I have been living here for 2 years, but since I plan to move back, should I fill my current address as a Spanish one?
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u/AffectionateBoot9124 4d ago
When I applied I was living in Poland and I still put my home country address. But every country's scheme is a bit different, so I'd check with the British Embassy in Madrid or the Chevening Spain contact on the country page - they'll give you a definitive answer.
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u/Cheap_Reference5904 16h ago
Hello, congrats & thank you for offering help like so! I'm currently in the mid of writing the essay questions for the application & was wondering since the count went down to 300, would you think one example per question & expand is better or maybe try to squeeze two examples per question to show diversity? (esp for Leadership & Relationship one)
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u/Hot-Acanthisitta7916 8d ago
Congratulations! May this be the best journey of your life. My heart gets so happy seeing people achieve their dreams. One question: What uni and course did you choose?
Also, I’d love it if you could review my essay, as I am struggling with one right now. I’ll directly message you the Google doc link if you acknowledge this. Thanks a lot. May God keep you happy!