Applications for Chevening Scholarships, the prestigious global scholarship programme of the UK government, are now open.

Candidates seeking a postgraduate scholarship in the United Kingdom for 2013/14 can now register their interest, thanks to a new website.

The site, www.chevening.org, has been launched to give details of Chevening Scholarships, the UK government’s global scholarship programme.

The Scholarships, which are funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations, operate in over 100 countries worldwide, and this year will support about 700 students. The Scholarships are awarded to exceptional individuals with leadership potential. Awards are typically for a one-year Master’s degree, in any subject and at any UK university.

Scholarships are aimed particularly at high quality candidates who are likely to assume leadership roles in their future careers. There are no age limits, but candidates who have already demonstrated leadership potential will be particularly welcome.  There is strong competition for the limited number of scholarships that are offered each year.

Awards are typically for a one-year Master’s degree, in any subject and at any UK university.

The new website aims to make the Scholarships more accessible than ever before. By registering their interest in advance, candidates will receive alerts at key stages in the process, including when applications open, and find out more about the process and priorities. Scholarships are aimed particularly at high quality candidates who are likely to assume leadership roles in their future careers. There are no age limits, but candidates who have already demonstrated leadership potential will be particularly welcome.

In addition to giving details of the Chevening application process, the website provides updates about latest developments in the scheme worldwide, and important information on applying for higher education courses in the UK more generally.

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office said:

‘The Chevening programme 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. With 2012 marking the launch of our global website, www.chevening.org, we expect this year’s Chevening Scholarships to be more accessible than ever before.’

Chevening alumni have an excellent record of rising to positions of leadership across a wide range of fields: including politics, business, the media, civil society, religion, and academia. Some work as MPs, leading journalists, or policy advisers to NGOs and think tanks; others occupy senior positions in commercial organisations. Alumni include Baldwin Spencer, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda; Anote Tong, the President of Kiribati and Alvaro Uribe Velez, the former President of Colombia.

Over the past eighteen years, some 25 Caymanians have received Chevening scholarships for postgraduate study in Britain.  Previous scholars have returned to the Cayman Islands to take up employment in a number of Government Departments and elsewhere.  The Chevening programme is administered locally by the Governor’s Office.

Completed applications must be submitted online using the www.chevening.org website by Saturday 1 December 2012.  Late applications will not be accepted.  Please contact Gill Skinner (+1 345 244 2431 or [email protected]) or Tom Hines (+1 345 244 2434 or [email protected]) at the Governor’s Office if you have any questions.

About Chevening Scholarships

Chevening Scholarships are the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The Chevening programme began in 1983 and has developed into a prestigious international scheme. Scholars come from over 110 countries worldwide and 700 scholarships were awarded in 2011-2012. There are over 41,000 Chevening alumni around the world who together comprise an influential and highly regarded global network. For further information and to apply for a Chevening Scholarship please see www.chevening.org