u/Status_Engineer_18

Hi everyone! I submitted my Chevening application today, and honestly, I feel a little bit empty.

I only discovered Chevening last year but didn’t have the courage to apply because I didn’t think I was qualified enough. This year, turning 31 somehow made me realize I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to at least try.

I spent the past three months researching, reflecting, and reaching out to Chevening alumni and other applicants for advice. It was honestly a very meaningful journey, and regardless of the result, I’m glad I did it.

For those who’ve applied before - what happens now? How did you mentally get through the next few months of waiting? Did you just forget about it and move on with life, or did you keep thinking about the result?

Would love to hear how you guys handled the waiting period. ❤️

I keep running into this idea - from forums, blogs, seniors who got the scholarship - that Chevening's "ideal" candidate is someone who has the potential influence national policy: social issue/government projects/NGOs with country-wide reach, people positioned to influence policy change down the line.

I work in the private sector - marketing on the commercial side of a tech company. My work moves business metrics, not policy. I'm currently drafting my essays, and honestly, this "myth" (if it is one) has been pretty demotivating. It feels like the panel already has a mold and I just don't fit it.

Has anyone here gotten in coming from a purely private-sector/commercial background, with no big national-policy project on their CV? How did you frame your leadership and impact in the essays? Did the "how will you influence change" angle feel like a stretch for you too, or did you find an honest way to connect the dots?

Would genuinely appreciate hearing from people who had the same doubt and still made it through.

Hi everyone,

Quick background: I have 8 years of experience in Marketing (agency + FMCG), currently a Marketing Manager at a tech company. I hold a Bachelor’s in International Business Economics from Foreign Trade University (Vietnam, GPA 3.2/4.0) and an MBA (Australian university, studied in Vietnam).

I’m preparing my Chevening application for the 2027/2028 cycle, aiming for Digital Marketing/AI for Business. A few questions for anyone who’s been through this:

1. Field competitiveness: Does Chevening genuinely fund “trendy” fields like Marketing/AI, or mostly niche fields like human rights, law, economics? Anyone succeed with a business/marketing/tech-adjacent programme?

2. Narrative/storytelling: I understand a strong essay with clear motivation and a solid career plan matters a lot. I’ve noticed a lot of successful narratives lean heavily on social impact (human rights, sustainability, etc.) — would love to hear what kind of story/narrative actually got you granted. Also curious: can a narrative that’s more business/growth-driven (e.g. accelerating digitalisation, financial inclusion through tech) work just as well as one framed around social impact, or does the panel tend to favour the latter? Happy to learn from your personal case if you’re willing to share.

3. References: No academic mentor, mostly former managers. Anyone used 2 professional references instead of 1 academic + 1 professional? Any issues? What should LOR content focus on to match what the panel wants?

4. IELTS timing: Solid daily working English, but haven’t sat official IELTS — practice test (no prep) was 5.5-6.0. I know Chevening itself doesn’t require IELTS at application, only the uni for unconditional offer — advice on timing/balancing with essays?

Would love to connect with anyone in Marketing/Digital Business/AI, happy to trade essay tips too 🙏