to a couple of people (especially previous
scholars) who can proofread your work, offer
This is the most crucial section because after all
is said and done they want to know how
Chevening will help you become the leader your
country needs. They want to see that you
understand that a Chevening Scholarship is not
a one way ticket to leave your country behind
and start afresh in the UK! If you sound even in
the least bit unconvincing about this, you can
forget seeing that scholarship. This essay is
where a lot of people trip up and end up losing
out on one of the best opportunities one can
ever get. It’s the most crucial section yes, but
it’s not the most difficult. Why do I say this?
Because this is the opportunity you get to flex
and really show off the amazing ideas and plans
that you have for your community and for your
country. No one can invalidate your dreams as
long as you are perfectly clear about;
1. The leadership element that this
scholarship will afford you to continue
to do the work you are already doing
2. The networking opportunities that
being a part of the Chevening
community will give you to further your
dreams and ambitions
3. The way in which the work the UK
government is doing in your country is
aligned to your proposed field of study
and how this will enhance cooperation
between the two countries
4. The quantifiable impact that your study
will have on groups of people back
home (this is important because they
want you to see the trickle-down effect
your studies will have on other people)
After you have done all you can to write your
perfect essays, I strongly suggest showing them
structural advice and help polish your answers.
Never be arrogant enough to think you know it
all and don’t need the help of anyone else to
succeed; this is the surest way to fail, I can
attest to that.
Please use the SMART principles...tell them
what is specific, what is measurable, what is
achievable, what realistic/relevant, and it
should be time bound. For example if you are a
lawyer working for a power company; upon my
return from the UK, I shall return to my current
job to continue to have a front row sit in the
evolution of the power sector and continue to
provide the bridge between customers and the
company. I shall join the PDP two months after
my return and in 2020 I shall start my own
private legal practice with the aim of employing
3000 lawyers.
You should provide multiple examples on how
Chevening will be of help to you, and be very
clear and definite about this. It helps to divide
them into immediate or short term (1-2 years),
middle plan (2-5years) and long term (5 and
above years) plans.
Let's look at last year’s essay question
Chevening is looking for individuals who have a
clear post-study career plan. Please outline
your immediate plans upon returning home
and your longer term career goals. You may
wish to consider how these relate to what the
UK government is doing in your country.
(Minimum word count: 50 words, maximum
word count: 500 words)
 So number 1 you must have a clear
plan. If you don't have a plan, spend
some time thinking and making a plan.
A REALISTIC Plan, I know most of us
have very big plans. Which is good, but
with answering this question please be
realistic. For example, you can’t say I
plan to end poverty in Zambia. That's
not possible or realistic, you cannot end
something but you can help reduce
 something. Don't be too general, be Follow DFID country page:
specific. So have a plan or make a plan  Twitter
just for Chevening  Facebook
 Number 2 Please outline your  YouTube
immediate plans upon returning home  Flickr etc.
and your longer term career goals. So
what will you immediately do? Will you *Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed
plan to work for the organisation you are those of the author and editors’
are working with? If yes, what will you experiences and do not reflect that of the
do in that organisation? How will you Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and
use your newly acquired skills and why? its partner organizations.
What time flame have you put to your
contributions? How will your References:
contribution be measured? Who will  The scholar journey website.
benefit from your input? Make sure  Google
your goal is to contribute to the country  Notes by previous scholars.
development and not for your own
gain. Chevening is meant to build future Issue Date: 22/07/2018
leaders, what position do you want to
be in by your time flame? How do you Compiled by # certified
want to contribute to Chevening
scholarship?
 Consider relating your career path to
what the UK is doing in you country.
The Department of International
Development (DFID) is responsible for
the UK government contributions your
country, you can also mention it, In fact
they have encouraged us to mention it
if we want. So relate it to what they are
doing in your country. If you are in
public health, you can say that the DFID
is currently working with your
organisation or health sector in doing
ABC, and explain how you will partner
with them through your organisation.
You can also relate you career plan to
the Sustainable development goals. For
more smart examples refer to the essay
writing tips PDF or following this link
https://higheredrevolution.com/my-
chevening-examples-799bae38ed59.
 For more tips on writing SMART career
plan follow the link
https://thescholarsjourney.wordpress.c
om/2017/10/18/writing-s-m-a-r-t-e-r-
goals-and-understanding-ukdfid-
priorities-for-essays-3-and-4/