Chevening scholarships

Since 1999, the British Embassy in Kigali has provided Chevening scholarships for over thirty Rwandans, enabling them to undertake postgraduate study in the UK.

What are Chevening scholarships?

Chevening scholarships are a prestigious worldwide scholarship programme, funded by the British Government.  About 2,000 scholars and fellows from around the world receive awards to study in the UK each year.  The Chevening scholarship scheme aims to provide opportunities for potential leaders, decision makers and opinion formers to study in the UK so they can contribute to the future development of their country.  For more information on the Chevening Scholarship scheme and profiles of recent scholars, please visit www.chevening.com.

What does a successful scholar look like?

There is no such thing as a 'typical' Chevening scholar!  Successful scholars from Rwanda are very diverse - former scholars include conservationists, civil servants, lawyers, specialists in human rights or gender, public health workers, journalists and academics.  What they have in common is the potential to be leaders in their fields and a strong desire and vision to contribute to the future development of Rwanda.

What can I study and where?

For Rwanda, Chevening scholarships are awarded for one-year Masters level postgraduate courses only.  We do not award scholarships for undergraduate or doctorate programmes.  Chevening scholarships are awarded for study in universities in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) only.  There are no restrictions on the subject of study.  However, applicants must be able to explain how their chosen course of study will enable them to contribute to Rwanda's future development on their return.  To date, Rwandans have studied subjects as varied as economics, journalism, development, human rights, gender studies, public health, international law, public administration, ICT, project management and conservation.

Who can apply?

Candidates must:

- be Rwandan, and resident in Rwanda at the time of application
- hold a good undergraduate degree level qualification, and have proven academic skills
- have at least two years of work experience relevant to the course which they wish to study
- have a good level of English language (the equivalent of IELTS level 6.5)
- be able to demonstrate their potential for leadership with examples of how they have shown leadership in their career to date

- show a commitment to return to Rwanda and contribute to Rwanda's development through implementing new skills and knowledge acquired in the UK

- have a clear idea how their scholarship and chosen course of study will benefit Rwanda on their return

Any additional criteria will be publicly advertised at the same time as the public call for applications.

When and how do I apply?

The academic year in the UK starts in September.  Any scholarship places available for the academic year 2009-2010 will be advertised by the British Embassy in December 2008, with an early January deadline for submitting applications.  The scholarship scheme will be advertised on the Embassy website and in the Rwandan press.  Applications will be submitted using an online form.  Following a shortlisting process, a small number of candidates will be called for interview by a panel of three interviewers in January or February 2009.  Successful candidates will then be responsible for securing a place at a UK university before having their scholarship confirmed.  The British Embassy aims to ensure that the application procedure is open and transparent.  

What is the IELTS test and how do I take one?

IELTS (www.ielts.org) is the International English Language Testing System.  You must pass IELTS with a score of at least 6.5 before you can take up a Chevening scholarship (NB some UK universities may require a higher IELTS score for certain courses).  It is not necessary to take an IELTS test before applying for a Chevening scholarship in Rwanda.  But any candidate successful at interview will then be required to take the test before the scholarship offer is confirmed.  Any candidate scoring less than 6.5 will not be offered a scholarship.

IELTS examinations are administered by the British Council Rwanda, RIAM (Muhima Campus), PO Box 2031, Kigali, tel (+250) 570589.