This fellowship is an initiative between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom and OCIS. The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is a University of Oxford Recognised Independent Centre. It is aimed at mid-career academics or professionals who want to promote scholarly activities that enable a better knowledge of Islam’s culture and civilisation and modern Muslim society.
Under this fellowship, selected fellows will spend 6 months engaged in self-directed research that will focus on the proposed project on the culture and civilisation of Islam as well as modern Muslim society in a global context.
Short Details of the Scholarships
- Duration: 6 Months
- Number of Awards: Not specified
- Financial Coverage: Fully Funded
Scholarship Coverage
- Tuition fees.
- A six-month research phase at OCIS.
- For the period of the fellowship, living expenses will be covered.
- Return Economy Flight from your native nation to the United Kingdom.
- Allowance package for activities connected to the research.
- Access to cultural events and activities by the FCDO and the Chevening Secretariat.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be a citizen of a nation or territory that is eligible for a fellowship.
- Demonstrate the ability to ascend to a position of influence and leadership.
- Demonstrate the personal, cognitive, and interpersonal characteristics that represent this potential.
- At the end of the fellowship time, you must return to your home country.
- You must have a master’s degree or higher qualification (or comparable professional training or experience in a related field).
- Not holding British or dual British citizenship.
- Have not received any UK government scholarship assistance (including Chevening) in the previous five years. Chevening Fellowships can be applied for once you have completed your first UK Government-funded scholarship.
- Not be a current or former employee of her Majesty’s Government (including British Embassies/High Commissions, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, the Department for International Trade, the Ministry of Defence, the Home Office) or a member of the Association of Common Market Employees within the last two years from the opening of Chevening applications.
- Be a Resident of Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Turkmenistan, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, or Uzbekistan.
Documents Required
- Valid Passport
- Complete Education Credentials
Certificates and transcripts for each completed course of study, or transcripts only for unfinished courses. This must include your bachelor’s degree. By February 22, 2022, these must be posted.
- Essay Questions
You must answer a series of short essay questions about leadership and influence, networking, your long-term career objectives as well as your research proposal in this phase of the test.
- Referees’ names and contacts
You just need to supply the information for two referrals at this time, including their full name, job title, organization where they work, email address, and the capacity in which they are known.
If you are asked to an interview, you must upload two letters of recommendation to the system by February 22, 2022.
Job Experience Requirements
- To be eligible, all applicants must have worked at least 5 years.
- They take into account all forms of work experience.
- Your work experience doesn’t need to be related to the course(s) you wish to pursue.
- You are not required to provide evidence of your work experience (you may be asked questions during the interview).
- For more details, click here
Language Requirements
For Chevening Awards, there is no English language requirement. However, it would be best to meet a minimum overall score of 6.5 in IELTS ACADEMIC and a minimum of 5.5 for each band.
Opening Date/ Deadline
Applications were opened from 12:00 BST (UK time) on the 3rd of August, and the deadline for submitting applications is the 2nd of November 2021 at 12:00 GMT.
Application Fee
No FEE IS DEMANDED
How to Apply
Click here to apply, first register and submit the required information.
Selection Procedure of the Scholarships
Fellowship Timeline
Chevening Fellowships start at different times during the academic year. Therefore, the “central and placement timelines” have been prepared to outline the following procedures for every candidate who has been conditionally selected for a Chevening Fellowship.
Fellowships central timeline
3 A U G U S T 2 0 2 1
Apply to your relevant fellowship program.
2 N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 1
Applications will close at 12:00 (midday) GMT.
F R O M 3 N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 1
Application sifting based on eligibility requirements.
M I D – N O V E M B E R T O D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 1
Independent reading committees evaluate eligible applications.
E A R L Y T O M I D – F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2
Applicants will be shortlisted for interviews by British Embassies/High Commissions.
Check out interview guidance.
T B C F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2
The last date to submit two references is 12:00 GMT. But, first, take a look at what they expect from your references.
T B C M A R C H T O A P R I L 2 0 2 2
At British Embassies and High Commissions, panels interview shortlisted candidates.
J U N E 2 0 2 2
After your first interview by the local British Embassy/High Commission, you may be again interviewed via video call with the host institution for fellowship.
E N D O F J U N E 2 0 2 2
At the end of June, the results of the interviews will be announced.
S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 2
Chevening Fellows will start their studies in the UK.
*TBC = To Be Confirmed: the event’s details will be confirmed later.
Fellowships placement timeline
The fellowship’s placement timeline below is for candidates who do not apply for the Fellowship central timeline.
- Independent reading committees evaluate applications after sifting them against eligibility requirements (2-3 weeks).
- The British Embassies/High Commissioners in each country will shortlist the applications.
- Participants who have been selected for an interview will be notified of their selection. Before their interview, all applicants must provide reference letters.
- Interview notification periods may vary, but applicants will be notified at least two to three weeks before their interview.
- Chevening Secretariat Conditional Award Letter (CAL) (will be issued within two weeks).
- By the deadline (two weeks after receiving the CAL), all the following CAL forms must be sent to the Embassy:
- Acceptance and acknowledgement form of the Chevening Fellowships’ terms and conditions.
- Client Care Letter – necessary only if your fellowship host cannot assist you with immigration issues.
- Health-related form.
- The Chevening Secretariat will use a copy of your passport’s photo page to compile your Final Award Letter (FAL).
The British Embassy/High Commission will give FAL to you in your country via post/mail (within two weeks of the CAL deadline).
Chevening Secretariat emailed you pre-departure information, which included:
- Individualized visa and immigration counsel – only if your fellowship host does not offer immigration assistance.
- Travel Booking information.
- Suggestions for lodging.
- Payment guidance and allowances.
- Inquire about your biography (within one week of the issue of the FAL).
- Apply for your visa with the Chevening Secretariat’s personalized advice.
- After you’ve received your visa, plan your trip to the United Kingdom.
- Attend a pre-departure seminar hosted by the British Embassy or High Commission in your country.
- Arrive in the United Kingdom to begin your fellowship.
Would you please familiarise yourself with the policies of your respective universities?