Chevening in the Czech Republic
The Chevening Scholarships Programme
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Chevening Scholarships programme brings future leaders, decision-makers and opinion-formers to the United Kingdom for a period of postgraduate study at a British university. Currently over 2,000 scholarships are provided each year worldwide.
To date, more than 150 Czech nationals have been awarded Chevening scholarships to study a wide range of subjects, from journalism through economics and social sciences to scientific research. The British Embassy aims to keep in touch with all of our Chevening alumni and to offer continued support as their careers develop. Indeed many of them have returned to become well-known leaders in their chosen field or profession. We strongly encourage all Chevening scholars to join the Czech Chevening Alumni Association.
Chevening Scholarship schemes currently available
The main Chevening Scholarship programme, which makes awards for up to one year of study in the UK at postgraduate level, has ceased to be available in the Czech Republic after the 2007-8 academic year. This was because the programme did not operate in most EU countries. However, there continue to be opportunities for Czech nationals to apply for other FCO Chevening-funded scholarships.
The Shell Centenary Scholarship Fund (TSCSF) was established as a registered charity in 1997 by the Shell oil company. Under various Masters programmes, TSCSF offers postgraduate students the opportunity to study in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, and gain skills that will make a long-term contribution to the further development of their countries. Each year nearly 90 students will be given major scholarships (for one year in the UK, and for two years in the Netherlands). Partners in the scheme are the University of Cambridge, Durham University, The University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London, University of Leeds, The University of Oxford and University College London in the UK, and with Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology and University of Twente in the Netherlands. These universities also contribute to the funding of scholarships.
A number of scholarships are also jointly funded with the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and are known as Shell Centenary Chevening Scholarships.
Q: What are my chances ? Have any Czechs ever won this scholarship ?
A: Places are limited and the scholarship is open to applicants from many countries. But a Czech student won this scholarship in 2007.
Chevening Fellowships are a new initiative. They offer awards for study on short, 3-month courses that focus on particular subjects aligned to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) international strategic priorities. Fellowships are aimed at mid-career professionals in positions of leadership and influence (or in line for such positions) who are active in the field of the fellowship subject. The programmes are designed to offer dynamic training and professional development opportunities in the UK. They consist of high-quality content, with contributions from leading academics and experts in the field. Successful candidates, as alumni, will be interested in maintaining an international policy dialogue on the fellowship subject with the British Embassy. Seven Chevening Fellowship courses were introduced in 2005 as a pilot. The scheme grew to 17 courses in 2006. In 2008, 15 courses will continue and two new courses will begin.
Q: What are my chances ? Have any Czechs been awarded Chevening Fellowships ?
A: In both 2006 and 2007, one Czech official dealing with EU policy was successfully nominated by the Office of the Czech Government for the Fellowship in European Political Economy at the University of Sussex. Other possibilities relevant to the Czech Republic include the Economics of Climate Change Fellowship at Cambridge. Chevening Fellowships differ from Chevening Scholarships in that they are not normally advertised and are not actively promoted publicly. Potential Chevening Fellows are identified by the Embassy as people who meet the ‘Profile of a Fellow’ and who would also be most suited for a particular fellowship course.
For further information, including a brochure about Chevening Fellowships, please contact the Embassy Press and Public Affairs Section.
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Chevening-Hansard Society Research Scholarships
The Hansard Research Scholars Programme is a challenging opportunity for graduates and professionals to pursue a specific area of political academic interest whilst undertaking a study placement within the world of British politics. As a Hansard Research Scholar, you will be part of the Hansard Society, an organisation with an unparalleled reputation in the political world, developed over more than 60 years. You will study British politics at the London School of Economics, have seminars with politicians and do a study placement in an organisation which corresponds with your research interests – be it with an NGO, a government department, a lobbying group or with the UK Parliament itself.
Scholarships are available for the Summer 2009, Autumn 2009 and Spring 2010. Hansard Research Scholars Programmes through FCO Chevening Scholarship scheme.
Q. What are my chances ? Have any Czechs ever won this scholarship ?
A. Again this is a prestigious and highly sought-after scholarship. However, Czech graduates have been awarded Chevening-Hansard Scholarships, with the Embassy's endorsement, in 2004, 2005, 2006 and again in 2007.
