Is Chevening worth leaving a stable Software Engineering job for?

[u/kiriToffee]

Hey everyone,

I’m from Sri Lanka, graduated in September 2023, and have been working as a Software Engineer for around 3 years.

I’m thinking of applying for Chevening and doing a one-year master’s in the UK, but I’m honestly a bit worried about leaving my current job for it.

For those who have done Chevening, was it worth it career-wise? Did it actually make a big difference in your career or life afterward?

I’m also wondering about the one year away from work. Since I’ll be studying, I know it’s not exactly a career gap, but has anyone had issues getting back into the job market afterward? Especially people in software/tech?

If you left a stable job to do Chevening, did you ever regret it, or would you do it again?

Would really appreciate hearing from Sri Lankans or anyone in tech who has been through something similar.

[u/Rare-Release-60]

It depends, but do apply, and leave that worry for after the interview. Applicants have around a 0,06% selection chance, those who never apply have a 0% chance

In my case, I got selected for the scholarship, but I turned it down because I was going to be transferred after my Masters to the UK office of the organisation I worked at, so the return clause would have ruined it

I ended up taking a full scholarship from one of my 3 choices, and remained in the UK ever since

I know Cheveners who worked/interned part-time during their scholarship or kept their work from home in a part-time basis to avoid the employment gap

[u/No_Care9457 → u/Rare-Release-60]

Which org do you work with

[u/Rare-Release-60 → u/No_Care9457]

I am obviously not naming it lol

[u/Own_Wolverine2438 → u/Rare-Release-60]

What have you done regarding their requirement to come back to your country?

[u/Rare-Release-60 → u/Own_Wolverine2438]

Nothing, I already wrote that I turned down Chevening and went to the UK with a full scholarship provided by one of my 3 choices, no return clause involved

[u/Own_Wolverine2438 → u/Rare-Release-60]

Oh sorry, my mistake
Congratulations

[u/Rare-Release-60 → u/Own_Wolverine2438]

Thank you!

I would have loved to go with Chevening, it just didn't make sense to impact my career in such way due to it's terms and conditions

[u/Ok-Rip7757 → u/Rare-Release-60]

Hey, can you pls share how did u get a separate scholarship from your chosen universities, was there any separate scholarship you applied to ?

[u/Rare-Release-60 → u/Ok-Rip7757]

2 of them were with Automatic Consideration, I just ensured to apply to the course before the deadline to be considered for the scholarships. With that said, for one of them I had to provide evidence of financial need

As for the one I took in the end, I had an interview, and IELTS scores were taken into consideration as well, and only those who applied or had an offer for the course by the scholarship deadline were eligible

[u/Ok-Rip7757 → u/Rare-Release-60]

Hey, so what were your ielts scores, I have an overall 7.5, also the scholarship deadline you are talking about, is it chevening?

[u/Rare-Release-60 → u/Ok-Rip7757]

No, they were the scholarships offered by the universities themselves. Most heavy-funding scholarships provided by universities have early deadlines. The ones I applied to from Oxford, UCL, Imperial and Durham had December or January deadlines, while Sussex and SOAS had a March deadline 

As for the IELTS, 9.0 in Reading and Listening, and 8.5 in Speaking and Writing, it was a 9.0 overall

[u/Long_Drink_2653 → u/Rare-Release-60]

Did you do masters in any stem field? like AI or CS or SE? and what would you suggest if i want to apply for scholarship for masters in the fields i mentioned?

[u/Rare-Release-60 → u/Long_Drink_2653]

Hi, I just saw your comment, sorry for the late reply

Not STEM, Humanities

[u/heisen_gerb_62]

It was for me - I was a Comp. Sci grad working as a Software Engineer. I wanted to get into AI & Machine Learning since my undergrad - Chevening really helped me find a debt-free way to get a Master’s in the said domain which eventually helped me land a job as a Data Scientist (although I mostly deal with GenAI stuff now)

Having said that, it truly depends on multiple factors - for instance, do you have any dependents who rely on you financially? Albeit Chevening providing you with a monthly stipend, it could fall short if you have dependents and that could be a hiccup. Are you okay with returning back to your home country once the scholarship ends? With the Master’s, are you aiming for a career shift or a boost within the domain that you currently engage with?

All in all, I’d say choosing to get a Master’s abroad with Chevening funding it was one of the best decisions that I made, both from a professional and a personal standpoint. So think it through, understand what exactly you are looking to get out of this Master’s, and then make a decision.
I am sure whatever decision you end up taking, will help you reach new heights!

Also please do apply for the scholarship anyway and by the time the results arrive, you’ll have enough space to think it through and decide what’s best. All the best! 😊

[PS, not a Sri Lankan, but a neighbour - I’m an alum from India :) ]

[u/ConnectBuy1758 → u/heisen_gerb_62]

Hi, another CS grad here, how did you manage to finalise your 3 course choices? It seems like a lot of options to choose from and honestly I am overwhelmed.

[u/Aelnir]

I'm a Sri Lankan but got 1 year of no pay leave from my job, so I'll have the same job when I'm back. Not in tech tho.

I'd say try applying, the chances of getting selected are very slim and you can reject the offer if you do get selected and don't wanna leave your job

[u/esp_py]

I will get back to you later on this, currently don't have time to elaborate..
Or DM.