Join Haptivate for an interactive two-hour online workshop designed especially for international students. Discover why change can feel challenging and learn evidence-based strategies to adapt with confidence, resilience, and positivity, so you can make the most of your Chevening experience in the UK.

By the end of the session, you’ll be able to:

• Respond calmly and constructively to the changes you’re experiencing
• Support and strengthen your mental wellbeing
• Approach academic and cultural challenges with adaptability and optimism

Sign up now to join this empowering session and begin your UK journey with confidence.

The password for the Eventbrite is in the November Scholargram.

Tickets will be allocated by ballot.

This celebratory event is your chance to meet everyone in your cohort for the first time!

The day will include:

• A keynote speech
• Lots of networking opportunities
• An opportunity to meet your Programme Officer

Attendance at this event is mandatory for all scholars. You must book your own travel to the event, as well as any necessary accommodation, using your travel top-up allowance. The password for the Eventbrite is in the September Scholargram newsletter.

Book your ticket for Orientation now

Orientation Programme 

Important information

How do I get to the venue?

Chevening orientation will take place at the Excel Centre in London.

Can I bring friends and/or family with me?

The event is for Chevening scholars and fellows only. We are unable to accommodate family members, children, or friends outside of the 2025-26 Chevening cohort; they will be refused entry.

If you have additional needs, after registering you will be contacted and may be able to bring a friend to assist you. Please email welfare@chevening.org if you have not been contacted after registering.

Will there be a photographer?

There will be a photographer and a videographer at the event. These photos and videos may be used for marketing purposes in future. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please pick up a yellow lanyard when you arrive at the event, so that staff and fellow scholars know not to include you in photos.

What shall I wear?

There is no specific dress code, but we encourage scholars to dress colourfully and wear national dress if they wish. The most important thing is that you are comfortable in what you wear.

What if I lose personal property on the day?

If you lose something on the day, please speak to ExCeL staff or contact lostpropertyenquiries@excel.london. Chevening staff will not collect belongings left behind.

Are there any items I cannot bring to the venue?

Please be sensible and think about the items that you are bringing to the event. The Security team at the ExCeL can confiscate items considered dangerous and we cannot guarantee that you will be allowed them back.

Is there anything I should bring with me?

If you have a business card or some ID you can use as a name badge, it will help facilitate your networking and make the most out of meeting other scholars!

Can I keep my bag with me during the event?

For all large items please you use the free of charge cloakroom provided. This can be found on the ground floor.

Please note that this does get very busy so if you wish to check a bag, please arrive at 10:00.

What if I need to charge my phone on the day?

There are no sockets within any of the ExCeL rooms for phone charging. However, there are charge boxes for phones located east and west of the venue near the entrances.

Will there be anywhere to buy food on the day?

A light sandwich lunch will be provided. If you would prefer to buy your own lunch, there are places to do so at the ExCel. You are also welcome to bring your own snacks.

I have a dietary requirement – will there be food for me?

When registering, you should have noted if you had any dietary requirements and as such, there will be gluten free and vegan options available to those who stated their preference.

Can I leave early?

We would prefer that you stay for the duration of the programme as important information will be passed across throughout the day.

What if I need assistance on the day?

We will have a manned information desk within the Capital Hall that you can go to and all Chevening staff will be wearing red lanyards.

If you are feeling unwell, there is a first aider at the ExCeL so please do reach out to ExCeL members of staff.

We can’t wait to see you there!

The Chevening OCIS Fellowships are for mid-career professionals and academics who are dedicated to promoting academic activities that encourage a more informed understanding of the culture and civilisation of Islam and contemporary Muslim societies.  The programme is delivered by the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.

There will be two time slots available for this webinar.

Join us on either 10.00am or 4.00pm (UK time) on 15 September 2025 for a one-hour session to learn more about the programme and application process. There will also be time to ask questions at the end.

Register for the 10am session

Register for the 4pm session

The Chevening SAJP Fellowship is for mid-career journalists from South Asian countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The programme is delivered by the University of Westminster.

Join us for a one-hour session to learn more about the programme and application process. There will also be time to ask questions at the end.

Register now!

The Chevening Clore Fellowship is for mid-career professionals from the arts and culture sector in Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Mexico, and South Africa, who want to grow as leaders and make a lasting impact. The programme is delivered by Clore Leadership in the UK.

Join us at one of the following one-hour sessions to learn more about the programme and application process (there will also be time to ask questions at the end):

• 10:00am UK time on Monday 8 September
• 4:00pm UK time on Thursday 11 September

You’ll get the chance to dive into British history and learn more about the stories hidden underneath its complex architecture.

But it isn’t all royal history.

During World War I, it was converted into a military hospital for wounded Indian soldiers who fought for Britain on the Western Front. The ornate rooms, once filled with royal guests and music, became recovery wards where doctors attempted to recreate familiar surroundings to comfort their patients. Today, exhibits in the Pavilion honour this important and often overlooked chapter in its history.

Sign up now!

Tickets are allocated by ballot and the Evenbrite password can be found in the August Scholargram newsletter.

Chevening is giving scholars the chance to visit the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, located in a beautifully preserved Georgian townhouse. Sign up now!

Jane Austen (1775–1817) was one of England’s most celebrated novelists, best known for her sharp wit, keen observations of social manners and timeless stories of love, class, and character. Writing during the Regency era, Austen crafted novels that explored the limited roles available to women and the pressures of marriage and status, all with subtle irony and enduring charm. Her most famous works include Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and Persuasion.

Though she published anonymously during her lifetime, Austen’s reputation has only grown, and she is now firmly recognised as a literary icon.

Looking for a good selfie? The Centre has a forensic-style wax figure of Jane Austen, recreated with help from historians and artists, as well as the chance to try on Regency costumes- perfect for Bridgerton-style pics.

Tickets are allocated by ballot.

The Eventbrite password can be found in the August Scholargram letter.

Named after a merchant burgess, Mary King, the close (a Scottish term for a narrow alleyway) was once a bustling hub full of traders, residents and artisans. When the Royal Exchange was built in the 18th century, the street was partially sealed and forgotten, effectively trapping its secrets beneath the surface.

Today, the site has been carefully preserved and reopened to the public, providing a rare and authentic glimpse into life before modern plumbing, electricity and sanitation.

Are you ready to step into the past? Sign up now!

Tickets will be allocated by ballot and the Eventbrite password can be found in the August Scholargram newsletter.

What sets Mary King’s Close apart is its connection to real lives and events. Costumed guides, often portraying historical residents, lead visitors through dimly lit rooms and cobbled streets, narrating stories of plague, poverty and perseverance. These first-hand accounts, drawn from historical records, humanise the past in a way that textbooks rarely do. It’s history told from the ground up and gives voice to those usually lost to time.

Learn more about Mary King’s Close.

Wander through tropical rainforests, arid deserts, and serene woodlands- all in one day! From the towering Palm House to the exotic Princess of Wales Conservatory, every corner of Kew offers a glimpse into the natural world’s extraordinary beauty and resilience.

At the heart of Kew is cutting-edge botanical research that helps protect our planet. Discover how Kew scientists are fighting climate change, conserving endangered species, and preserving biodiversity for generations to come.

Sign up now!

Places will be allocated by ballot.

It’s a breath-taking medieval fortress steeped in over 1000 years of drama, intrigue, and spectacle. From fierce battles and royal riches to haunted towers and legendary tales, every stone has a story to tell.

Chevening scholars will get the chance to explore secret passageways, and the Great Hall where kings once feasted.

Tickets will be allocated by ballot and you will be notified if you have secured a spot!

Sign up now!

The Eventbrite password can be found in the July edition of the Scholargram newsletter.