The list of Chevening alumni is impressive and includes Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orb n, Columbia's Vice President Gustavo Bell, King Letsie III of Lesotho and the Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maria Elvira Velasquez. The Chevening scholarship has been running in Norway since 1996. The award process is run by the British Council and the British Embassy. Between five to seven scholarships are awarded to Norwegian students each year. The Chevening Scholarships are intended for study at a postgraduate level.
Selection is on merit and extremely high academic and personal standards are required.
The scheme is seen as a developing bilateral link, the aim of which is to enable high achievers, aged between 24 and 35, to further their area of study and to become more familiar with the United Kingdom, the English language and British culture. Scholars gain the opportunity to broaden their horizons, make useful contacts for the future, enhance their career prospects and obtain qualifications which may not be on offer in Norway, often at internationally recognised centres of expertise. The selectors look for those candidates who have clearly defined objectives for their future and who will become the decision-makers and opinion formers of tomorrow. A total of 7200 is paid as regular monthly instalments while in the UK, to contribute towards living expenses and tuition fees. It is not necessary for candidates to have already obtained a place at a British academic institution before they apply for a scholarship, but they will, however, be responsible for placing themselves before the start of a scholarship award.