In 2025 alone, around 50 scholars from India were awarded this scholarship out of over one lakh applicants worldwide (Photo : Chevening Awards)
For most Indian students, the dream of pursuing higher education abroad is driven by the promise of global exposure, better academic opportunities and improved career prospects abroad. However, financial barriers often come in the way. Scholarships like the Chevening Scholarship have emerged as crucial path by offering fully funded opportunities to deserving candidates.
The Chevening Scholarship is a prestigious UK government-funded programme designed to develop future global leaders by enabling outstanding professionals from around the world to pursue master’s degrees in the UK. Established in 1983 and funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Chevening offers full financial support including tuition, living allowance, travel, and visa fees. It focusses on leadership potential, professional achievements, and a clear vision for positive impact in applicants’ home countries. Candidates must have at least two years of work experience and demonstrate how their UK studies align with their career and personal goals.
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Every year, the scholarship programme selects outstanding individuals from across the globe who demonstrate leadership qualities and a vision to bring change in their communities. India has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the scholarship and as many as 324 Indian scholars have been awarded the Chevening Scholarship in the last 5 years. In 2025 alone, around 50 scholars from India were awarded this scholarship out of over one lakh applicants worldwide.
Many Indian scholars say Chevening has profoundly shaped their careers and leadership journeys in diverse fields such as urban planning and journalism, empowering them to return home as agents of change.
Sumaiya Muslim, an Indian urban designer currently working in Saudi Arabia, says before Chevening, she worked as a freelance designer and a community coordinator in marginalised neighbourhoods in Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, tackling issues of spatial inequity and women’s well-being. In 2022, she was awarded the 2022–23 scholarship to study Urban Strategies and Design at the University of Edinburgh.
“Chevening stood out to me because it offered not just academic exposure, but also a platform to grow as a leader and connect with people working toward similar goals across the world. The scholarship broadened my perspectives and enabled me to lead large-scale sustainable regional planning projects in Saudi Arabia while continuing community-driven research on inclusion and gender in Jaipur,” Muslim, 29, tells Media India Group.
The mentorship and peer community during the Chevening year were critical, she says.
“My professors were incredibly supportive, they didn’t just teach, they encouraged me to think differently and find my own voice, being surrounded by dedicated scholars from diverse backgrounds helped me grow into a more self-aware, collaborative, and compassionate professional, I am viewing leadership as collective empowerment rather than authority,” Muslim adds.
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“I am currently working as an urban planner with HDR Middle East, contributing to the regional planning of the Aseer Region in Saudi Arabia. The project focusses on sustainable growth, livability, and regional connectivity, and it has given me the opportunity to apply the knowledge and perspectives I developed during my Chevening year at a much larger scale,” Muslim further adds.
Chevening’s impact extends globally, not just benefiting Indian scholars but empowering talented professionals worldwide to become catalysts for sustainable and inclusive change in their communities, driven by leadership, research, and resilience. The scholarship’s comprehensive support and vibrant community enable scholars to lead ethical, locally relevant initiatives with global insights.
Similarly, Sarah Atiq, a journalist working with BBC Pakistan, says she received Chevening scholarship in 2022 after persistently applying for seven consecutive years. She pursued Critical Data Studies at the London School of Economics and credits Chevening for equipping her with a critical lens to interrogate technology’s societal impact.
“I received the Chevening Scholarship in 2022 for the academic year 2022–2023 and pursued a Master’s in Critical Data Studies at the London School of Economics. My journey was challenging I applied seven years in a row without getting shortlisted for an interview, facing disappointment each time. However, I never refused to give up, continuously improving my profile, gaining professional experience, expanding my network, and refining my essays with feedback from successful scholars. After seven years of persistence, I finally received the interview call and was awarded the scholarship that year,” Atiq tells Media India Group.
“My motivation to apply never changed. I wanted to study how data, algorithms and digital systems shape society, influence rights, and impact democracy a field not offered at the Master’s level in Pakistan then or now. With my background in social sciences and growing interest in technology’s societal impact, the UK was the ideal place to pursue this degree. Chevening paved the way for me to follow a path aligned with both my passion and purpose,” she adds.
“The Chevening Scholarship equipped me with a unique skill set and a critical understanding of how data systems, algorithms, and AI shape our societies. It helped me identify the harms of technology and taught me to question digital systems instead of accepting them at face value. When I returned to Pakistan, I was very clear about one thing this knowledge should not remain limited to me. I wanted to share it widely and build capacity within my newsroom and beyond,” Atiq adds.
Atiq says that since 2023, she has been training journalists, media professionals and students on AI ethics, responsible technology, and digital harms.
“I began collaborating with media training organisations, conducted workshops across Pakistan, and started reporting extensively on AI ethics. I hosted a panel discussion on AI and society at IBA, one of Pakistan’s leading universities, bringing together experts and journalists from around the world for a critical public conversation on emerging technologies,” she says.
“Most recently, I founded AI Policy Lab Pakistan, an initiative dedicated to promoting AI literacy and ethical technology use. Through this platform, I aim to equip individuals and organisations with the skills to critically evaluate AI systems and integrate them responsibly in newsrooms, classrooms, and other professional spaces. My goal is to ensure that AI is used in ways that are transparent, ethical, and ultimately beneficial to society,” Atiq adds.
As past winners of Chevening emphasise, this scholarship is a powerful catalyst that transforms talented professionals into visionary global leaders. It offers not only financial support but also a vibrant community, world-class education, mentorship, and leadership development. Through personal growth and expanded networks, Chevening scholars return home empowered to drive meaningful, sustainable change in their communities and countries, embodying the programme’s core mission of building a better, more inclusive world.