Becoming a Chevening scholar is not just about receiving one of the British government’s most prestigious scholarships—it’s a transformative step into an elite global network of emerging leaders. Among this esteemed group is Hridya Syamala Jairam, a dynamic young social worker from Kerala, whose pioneering efforts in advancing rural women’s education have placed her among the top 2% of global applicants awarded this coveted honour.
With Chevening’s support, she will soon begin her studies in social innovation and entrepreneurship at the prestigious London School of Economics.
In an interview with THE WEEK, Hridya shares her valuable insights and practical advice for aspiring scholars, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, striving to join the esteemed ranks of Cheveners.
Q: What are the perks of being a Chevening scholar, and is it fully funded? Give us a brief idea of this scholarship.
The Chevening Scholarship is a prestigious and highly reputed British government-funded award, administered by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. Unlike many other scholarships, Chevening specifically seeks emerging leaders from around the world, offering full financial support to pursue a one-year master's degree at any Chevening-supported university in the UK.
The focus is not only on funding but also on fostering global connections and leadership development. Chevening provides access to exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences.
Every year, over 60,000 applications are submitted, but only 2% are selected.
The programme began in 1983 and has since developed a vast alumni network, including state heads, policymakers, and civil servants globally. Chevening scholars have a saying: "Once a Chevener, always a Chevener."
The benefits of being a Chevening scholar are numerous. First, the scholarship is incredibly generous—it fully covers your tuition fees for a postgraduate course in a UK university. Additionally, scholars receive a generous monthly stipend that covers living expenses, accommodation, food, and travel costs.
The scholarship also includes round-trip airfare to and from your home country. For those not based in London, there are additional allowances for travelling to Chevening events, most of which take place in London. Scholars also receive arrival and departure allowances, and visa costs, including TB tests required for the visa, are fully covered.
In addition to financial support, Chevening offers recognition and prestige. The scholarship’s global alumni network consists of emerging leaders from diverse fields such as medicine, law, the arts, and innovation. The community includes future policymakers, state leaders, and heads of government. It’s a unique, diverse, and talented group of people who come together as part of a cohort.
Chevening is about more than just education or academics. Scholars have access to networking events, leadership seminars, cultural tours, and other experiences that enrich the year without the financial burden. This is especially valuable for individuals from underprivileged backgrounds, allowing them to explore opportunities and connect with global leaders.
Q: Could you give a brief about your life and work before being a Chevening scholar?
After earning my bachelor's degree in economics from Sacred Heart College, Thevara, in Kerala, I joined a multinational company as an intern. However, I soon realised that corporate life wasn't for me. Since the 8th grade, I had been volunteering with my mother at shelter homes, but I wasn't aware of the development sector or social work as a formal career path.
After declining the placement offer, I was uncertain about my next steps. Through a friend, I learned about a remote rural village in Rajasthan called Kotri, where they needed a teacher. I volunteered there, starting as a teacher and eventually becoming a program coordinator and project manager. My work primarily focused on education for girls, blending both education and gender equity.
In 2022, after the pandemic, I received an offer to join the Chief Minister's Youth Center project in Meghalaya. This initiative, in collaboration with the Government of Meghalaya, Sauramandala Foundation, and Project DEFY, involved managing 22 self-designed learning spaces across the state. I was the program manager, overseeing these learning hubs.
Last year, I co-founded the Centre for Social Innovation And Impact with two friends. Our organisation runs a women's night school in Rajasthan, working alongside the local community to empower women and build their agency.
Q: Can you explain in detail the process involved in applying for the Chevening Scholarship?
The Chevening Scholarship process begins with submitting an online application. The first step is to check your eligibility, which I'll explain later. In the application form, you'll need to provide personal details and course selections, but the most crucial part is writing four essays.
1. Leadership and Influence: In this essay, you must demonstrate your leadership skills and the initiatives you've taken.
2. Relationship Building and Shared Learning (Networking): Here, you need to describe how you create and maintain networks, and how you've worked with others to achieve goals, especially if you've co-created something with your networks.
3. Course Selection: This essay focuses on the courses you've chosen and why you selected the UK for your studies.
4. Future Career Plans: This essay outlines your long-term career goals.
Each essay is limited to 500 words. For the leadership and networking essays, it's important to give examples that highlight your experiences. For instance, I believe my work in starting an organisation and managing various projects contributed to my leadership essay.
In the networking essay, I emphasised how many of the projects I participated in were made possible through the support of people within my networks, rather than through fully funded programs.
One example, I included was a student exchange program where nine girls from Rajasthan came to Kerala to experience the ocean for the first time. The programme had a limited budget, but it was made possible thanks to the help of many friends across the state, from Kasargod to Trivandrum.
After the essays, the next step is an interview. The application process typically runs from August to November, with Chevening calling for applicants in August and applications closing in November.
Your application goes through multiple review committees, and by February, you receive the results. If shortlisted, you're invited to an interview, which takes place in March. My interview invitation was sent around February 16, and my interview was in March.
The interview panel typically consists of three or more people. In my interview, the panel included the head of Chevening India, a representative from the British High Commission, and a Chevening alumnus. The interview itself is quite relaxed, with the focus on getting to know you better. Final results are usually announced in June, often in the third week.
Q: How can one assess their own eligibility for applying? What are the basic requirements for pursuing this opportunity?
As I mentioned earlier, the Chevening Scholarship application is entirely online. If you have internet access and can communicate in English you're already set. Chevening has specific eligibility criteria. First, you must be from a Chevening-eligible country (India is one), so that's not an issue. You also need to commit to returning to your home country for at least two years after the scholarship ends.
Additionally, you must have two years of work experience or 2,800 hours, which can include full-time or part-time work, voluntary service, or paid/unpaid internships. An undergraduate degree that qualifies you for a UK master’s program is also required.
You can find these basic eligibility criteria on the Chevening website, where there's also an eligibility quiz to help you determine if you're a fit. The application process doesn't consider your economic, social, or financial background, so anyone can apply. In fact, Chevening encourages applicants from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, marginalized communities, and all genders.
Q: What advice would you offer to young scholars? Additionally, what tips did you find helpful while writing your essays?
I highly recommend reading through the scholarship details on the website and starting your essays early. There are many helpful tips on writing good essays and preparing for interviews, shared by alumni on the website.
One of the most important steps is to reach out to Chevening alumni for guidance. Most people will be happy to help, whether by reviewing your essays or offering advice. I personally would be happy to help applicants from marginalised communities, especially women, and you can reach me on Instagram for that.
There are also initiatives like Edu Access and Samatha Center, which provide free guidance to applicants from underprivileged communities. Alumni are generally happy to offer their support without charge, so don’t hesitate to ask for help.
My preparation tips are as follows:
Eligibility Check: Start by ensuring you're eligible for the scholarship.
Research: Thoroughly explore the website and read articles about how to apply and craft strong essays.
STAR Approach: Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) approach in your essays. This is especially important for leadership and networking. Be specific and measurable, and avoid generalisations. Give recent examples rather than referencing college experiences, especially if you've been working for several years.
Personal Touch: Inject your personal story into the essays and write passionately. Be confident about your achievements—don’t be overly modest.
Course Research: Do thorough research on the course you're applying for and reflect that knowledge in your essays.
Seek Help: Don’t hesitate to reach out for support, and start preparing your essays early.
Being confident, detailed, and proactive will make a huge difference in your application.