The British Embassy's Chevening scholarship scheme is now open for applications from members of the public in Korea. The prestigious scheme offers talented graduates and young professionals the chance to study for postgraduate qualifications at the UK's world leading universities.  Over 20 scholarships will be available for Koreans for the academic year 2010/11.

For the first time this year, the British Embassy is also seeking applications from talented Koreans who want to study at the University of Cambridge for a special Chevening Cambridge Scholarship jointly funded by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Cambridge Overseas Trust.   Two fully-funded scholarships are available for the academic year 2010/11.  For more information, please see "Chevening Cambridge Scholarship".  

Both Chevening scholarships and Chevening Cambridge Scholarships cover the full cost of one year of postgraduate study in the UK. Not surprisingly, competition for the scholarships is intense. The Chevening programme has a reputation for attracting outstanding young people who have the ambition to become leaders in their chosen fields. A typical successful candidate demonstrates the potential to benefit from the scheme and use it to further develop their career.

Over 800 Koreans have been supported by the Chevening scheme so far, which attracts some of the best and brightest young people from around the world.   On their return to Korea, the alumni benefit from membership of the Korean Association of Chevening Alumni. The association, which is only open to Chevening alumni, provides the returnees with a valuable network of contacts.

Speaking on the launch of the scheme, British Ambassador Martin Uden said:

"I have been fortunate to have met a number of Chevening scholars and alumni during my time in Seoul, and to see how their study in the UK has helped them to give further impetus to their careers. I am delighted that the Embassy, together with the sponsors who help make this scheme a success, will be able to award over 20 scholarships this year."

In academic year 2010-2011, the Embassy will accept applications for scholarships to study in the following fields.  We will not fund English language courses, such as TESOL:

• Politics/History
• International Affairs
• Law fields, including human rights and international law
• Conflict Resolution/Security Studies
• Energy
• Climate Change/Geography/Sustainable Development
• Development Studies
• Public Administration
• Corporate Governance/Fighting Corruption
• Finance/Economics
• Science and Technology fields, particularly Space & aerospace research, Biotechnology, Physics, Electronics, Nano & Microtechnology and Energy technologies
• Media Studies (including Journalism, New Media & Mass Communications)

Applications for the scheme must be submitted online and the deadline for scholarships for study in academic year 2010-2011 is 7 December 2009. For further information or to apply visit www.britishcouncil.or.kr/chevening.

 

Notes for Editors

 

1. British Chevening Scholarships are prestigious scholarships that enable young people from abroad to pursue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom. They are funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office through the British Embassy, with additional sponsorship from a number of companies and organisations.
    
2. The word 'Chevening' is synonymous with prestigious scholarships to the UK.   'Chevening House' is the name of the official country residence of the British Foreign Secretary. In 1994 Douglas Hurd, then Foreign Secretary, renamed the Foreign & Commonwealth Office's Scholarships and Awards Scheme as 'The British Chevening Scholarships Programme', after Chevening House.
    
3. Many recipients of Chevening scholarships have risen to senior positions in Korea. They include:
4. • Professor Ahn Kyong-whan, former President, National Human Rights Commission of Korea;
   • Professor Chung Un-chan, Prime Minster of Korea;
   • Dr Chung Hee-sun, Director General of the National Institute of Scientific Investigation

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