Winning Chevening Scholarship Reference Letter Sample

Writing a Chevening scholarship reference letter can be done conveniently with ease. All you need to do is learn and master the writing guides.

As an applicant seeking an opportunity in the Chevening scholarship program, you are required to provide two reference letters duly written and signed by your referees. Your referees must not be friends or family members but individuals well known to you in an academic or professional setting, capable of verifying that you need such a scholarship opportunity.

Each of these letters must be written in the English language and addressed to the British embassy/high commission in your country. In cases where such agencies are not available, it should be addressed to the Chevening officer and submitted before the scholarship application deadline.

There is no specific number of words to consider when writing a Chevening scholarship reference letter, but it is advisable to make it as brief as possible with emphasis on your referees’ contact information (usually written at the end of the letter), how long they have known you, in what ways they know you, your previous contact/interactions, and your academic prowess that calls for such endorsements.

After you have successfully submitted your reference letter, the British Embassy will contact your referees for verification. You are also allowed access to change your referees even after submission, but it can only be possible before the application deadline.

Now, let me show you a practical guide and sample you can model after when writing yours.

Chevening Scholarship Reference Letter Sample

Below is a format and a sample of a Chevening scholarship reference letter for Mr. Jackson Peters, who is seeking to further his studies in the United Kingdom. You are advised to use this as a guideline in writing yours rather than copying verbatim.

                                        27 January, 2024

The British High Commission

Abuja, Nigeria.

Dear Sir,

Chevening Recommendation Letter for Mr. Jackson Peters

It is with a kind gesture and pleasure that I want to introduce and endorse my support for Mr. Jackson Peters for the Chevening scholarship program to pursue his postgraduate studies in applied mathematics in the United Kingdom.

I have known Mr. Jackson Peters for over three years in my capacity as a mathematics professor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I have mentored and monitored him closely and have found him fit and worthy of this scholarship opportunity.

During his undergraduate program, I taught him in my mathematics classes at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, from 2019-2022. His remarkable intellectual prowess was what drew me to him; he is a team player, has a good sense of humor, and possesses the ability to command influence amidst the crowd.

Mr. Jackson is open-minded, has a keen interest in learning, adapts to changes, is patriotic, and delivers tasks assigned to him effectively within the stipulated time frame.

People fondly call him “my handbag,” that’s because I made him my course representative due to his excellent academic performance in all my courses. I always carried him alongside me when attending academic occasions, most times in 2022, and up till this moment, we still interact via phone calls.

He graduated as one of the best students in his department and is considered one of the best students the institution has produced over the years. I am confident he will perform even better when granted access to this scholarship opportunity.

I hereby, with no sense of regret, confidently endorse Mr. Jackson Peters for this Chevening scholarship program, and I am convinced he will contribute to the growth and development of the Chevening community.

If you need any other information regarding Mr. Jackson Peters, do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,

Prof. Joseph Willie

Profession: Pure and Applied Mathematics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Email: josephwi434llie1@gmail.com

Tel: +234 9026485567

Chevening Reference Letter Format

[Your Name]
[Your Title/Position]
[Your Organization]
[Your Contact Information]

[Date]

[Chevening Scholarships]
[Chevening Address]

Subject/Title

I am writing to provide a reference for [Applicant’s Full Name], who is applying for the Chevening Scholarship. I have known [him/her] for [duration of your professional relationship] in the capacity of [your relationship to the applicant].

Paragraph 1: Introduction
Begin by introducing yourself and explaining how you know the applicant. Briefly mention your professional relationship. Also, talk about your position and the context in which you have worked together. Ensure that the passion is relevant to the scholarship application.

Paragraph 2: Professional Qualities
Discuss the applicant’s professional qualities, skills, and achievements. It’s essential that you provide specific examples that demonstrate their leadership abilities, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and any other relevant attributes. Because those are the selling qualities Chevening looks out for. So, feel free to share concrete instances that showcase the applicant’s capabilities.

Paragraph 3: Academic Achievements
Talk about the applicant’s academic achievements and intellectual capabilities. Discuss notable projects, research, or coursework that demonstrate their academic excellence. Emphasize their ability to excel in a rigorous academic environment.

Paragraph 4: Personal Qualities
Address the applicant’s personal qualities, such as integrity, motivation, and adaptability. Discuss how these traits contribute to their overall character and make them a suitable candidate for the Chevening Scholarship.

Paragraph 5: Future Potential
Share your insights into the applicant’s future potential and how the Chevening Scholarship can contribute to their career goals. Discuss their aspirations, commitment to making a positive impact, and how the scholarship aligns with their long-term objectives.

Paragraph 6: Conclusion
Summarize your recommendation, expressing your strong support for the applicant’s Chevening Scholarship application. Include your contact information in case the committee needs further clarification.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Signature, if sending a hard copy]

Chevening Reference Letter Guidelines:

1. Date and Address:

• The letter starts with the date, providing a timestamp for the recommendation.
• It is addressed to the British High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria, adding a formal touch.

1. Salutation:

• The letter opens with a respectful “Dear Sir,” maintaining a formal tone.

1. Introduction:

• The introduction clearly states the purpose of the letter, which is to recommend Mr. Jackson Peters for the Chevening scholarship program.

1. Relationship and Capacity:

• The writer establishes a strong connection with Mr. Jackson Peters by mentioning their professional relationship. Prof. Joseph Willie is identified as a mathematics professor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

1. Duration of Association:

• The letter indicates that the writer has known Mr. Jackson Peters for over three years, specifically during his undergraduate program from 2019-2022.

1. Qualities and Skills:

• The writer highlights Mr. Jackson Peters’ intellectual prowess, teamwork, sense of humor, ability to command influence, open-mindedness, keen interest in learning, adaptability, and patriotism.
• Specific examples, such as making Mr. Peters a course representative due to excellent academic performance, are provided.

1. Endorsement and Confidence:

• Prof. Joseph Willie expresses confidence in Mr. Jackson Peters, stating that he is fit and worthy of the Chevening scholarship opportunity.
• The writer believes that Mr. Peters will perform exceptionally well if granted access to the scholarship.

1. Offer of Additional Information:

• Prof. Joseph Willie concludes the letter by offering to provide any additional information about Mr. Jackson Peters, showcasing willingness to assist with the scholarship application process.

1. Closing and Contact Information:

• The letter ends with a formal closing, “Yours sincerely,” followed by the signature of Prof. Joseph Willie.
• Contact information, including the profession, email address, and telephone number, is provided for further communication.

FAQs on Chevening Reference Letter

Final Thought

Writing a reference letter for Chevening scholarship is never a difficult task. It only requires you to learn and get exposed to the hidden secrets of how to create one.

As someone applying for the Chevening scholarship program, it is not your responsibility to write a reference letter; your sole responsibility is to provide two referees who will write this letter endorsing you for this scholarship program. You duty as the applicant is to write the Chevening personal statement.

Important Factors to Consider When Writing Chevening Scholarships Reference Letter:

1. Your referees must not be your friends or family members.
2. He/she must be someone who is well known to you in an academic or professional setting, capable of vying that you need this scholarship opportunity.
3. The Chevening Scholarship Reference letter is to be written in English Language addressing the British embassy/high commission in your country. In cases where such agencies are not available, it should be addressed to the Chevening officer and submitted before the scholarship application deadline.
4. There is no limit to the number of words to use when writing a reference letter, but always make your letter brief and contain the following: Your referees’ contact details (usually written at the end of the letter), how long they have known you, in what ways are you known, your previous contact/interactions, and your academic prowess that calls for such endorsements.

You can use the sample shown above as a guideline for creating an excellent Chevening scholarship reference letter.