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Edward Ferguson

British Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia

Part of UK in Bosnia and Herzegovina

10th August 2017

Would you like to study in the UK?

Have you heard about Chevening?  It’s the UK’s world-beating scholarship programme for international students.  It allows you to study for a Masters degree of your choice at any university in the UK.  You do the work, and we cover the costs, including your tuition fees and travel costs.  We even pay for your living expenses!

The UK’s higher education system is one of the best in the world.  59 current heads of state or government studied in the UK, which is more than any other country.  Three UK universities are ranked in the top ten globally, with Oxford University – where I took my undergraduate degree – currently ranked as the best in the world.  From technology to medicine, 76% of research conducted by UK universities is rated as world-leading.

Last year, the UK welcomed over 1900 Chevening scholars from 160 countries, including 12 students from BiH.  They studied a whole range of courses, including law, finance, tourism, international relations and computer science, at universities including Oxford, UCL, King’s College London, Glasgow, Aston and Durham.

“My Chevening year in the UK was definitely the year of my life: a dream of studying at a world’s top university, breath-taking libraries and museums, inhaling history where ever you turn.” (Aida Hadžić, University of Oxford)

Almost everyone has an amazing time.  Alongside their academic studies, Chevening scholars have the opportunity to build a global network and to enjoy the culture of the UK.

“Chevening is becoming part of the diverse Chevening community and meeting and connecting with excellent individuals from all around the world. It is about learning from them and their experiences and opinions.” (Harun Halilović, Queen Mary, University of London)

Once you graduate, you join a network of 46,000 Chevening alumni from around the world.  Chevening scholars have an excellent record of becoming global leaders in a vast range of fields, including politics, business, the media, civil society, science and technology, and academia.  Chevening alumni in BiH include President Mladen Ivanic, Almir Jazvin, the Managing Director of Prevent BiH, Judge Bozidarka Dodik and Zenit Djozic of Top Lista Nadrealista.

“I was able to hear from employers and employees in the world’s best companies, and to access the latest technical solutions. I enriched my knowledge significantly and gained many contacts. This experience will definitely have impact on my future career in a positive way.” (Olivera Karanović, University College London)

Sounds interesting?  It gets better.  We used to offer just three scholarships a year, but now we can pay for at least nine.  In the past two years, however, we have been able to offer even more.  Hence, we had 12 Chevening scholars from BiH last year.

We’re looking for people with a strong academic background, and demonstrable leadership potential who are committed to creating positive change in BiH.  Chevening is aimed at people who are at a mid-point in their careers.  As well as an undergraduate or existing Masters degree, you need at least two years’ professional experience in your chosen field and, of course, a good grasp of the English language.

“I would encourage people to apply for Chevening scholarship, hoping they will not quit because the application process can seem intimidating. You can handle it once you read the information the website and talk to alumni. We are here to help.” (Melita Husagić, Aston University)

What does the UK get out of this?  We’re not looking to take talent from BiH; we want to nurture it.  We want to see future leaders in BiH in all fields – politics, business, civil society or the arts – who have studied in the UK.  That’s why all successful applicants must commit to returning to BiH for at least two years after completing their course.

If you would like to know more, then visit the website at www.chevening.org, or contact Mihra Terzić at the British Embassy (britemba@bih.net.ba).  The deadline for applications for the 2018/19 academic year is 7 November, so don’t lose time.  Start your application immediately.  Contact universities sooner rather than later.  Set your three course choices.  Schedule your English language test.  And check with your employer the options for a year off.  We look forward to hearing from you, and to you joining the Chevening global network!

3 comments on “Would you like to study in the UK?”

  3. I see it as an amassing opportunity, especially suitable for guys from undeveloped countries such Bosnia is. If I were not a bit over the hill, and if there were not some other personal reasons which deter me, I would try to get selected.

    Thanks,

    Regards,

    e2e4

Comments are closed.

About Edward Ferguson

Edward Ferguson took over as His Majesty’s Ambassador to Serbia in July 2023. Before coming to Belgrade, Edward served as the Minister Counsellor Defence at the British Embassy in Washington…

Edward Ferguson took over as His Majesty’s Ambassador to Serbia in July 2023. Before coming to Belgrade, Edward served as the Minister Counsellor Defence at the British Embassy in Washington DC in September 2018. Together with the Defence Attaché, he led the British Defence Staff (United States), a network of 1,000 people spread across 28 States. As the UK’s senior policy adviser on defence relations with the United States, he was responsible for UK-US collaboration on strategic planning, nuclear policy and programmes, trade and acquisition, and science and technology. He was the US Network’s lead on HMG’s Integrated Review and AUKUS, and the senior champion for the Race, Ethnic and Cultural Heritage Group.

Previously, he served as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2014 to 2018, where he created and led a new international strategy, co-launched by the British and German Foreign Ministers, that re-energised Euro-Atlantic integration after years of stagnation while stimulating economic growth and reducing high levels of youth unemployment.

A former Exhibitioner and Choral Scholar of Trinity College, Oxford, where he was also Treasurer of the Oxford Union, Edward graduated with First Class Honours in Classics in 2001. Joining the Graduate Fast Stream of the Ministry of Defence, he started out in the Naval Staff before joining the Iraq Secretariat during the build-up to and subsequent execution of Operation TELIC. In 2003, he was involved in financial and requirement scrutiny of the Department’s future helicopter procurement programme.

From 2004 to 2006, he managed a national award-winning £300-million programme to consolidate the MOD estate in Greater London and to redevelop RAF Northolt. In 2006, he volunteered for an operational tour, serving as Political Advisor to a British Battlegroup in Maysaan Province, Iraq (while his brother was a troop leader with the British Army in Basra). On his return, he took on responsibility for the strategic management of the UK’s bilateral defence relations with the United States, Canada and Western Europe.

From 2007 to 2009, he worked as Private Secretary to three Defence Secretaries, acting as their closest adviser on issues relating to operations in Iraq, the £6-billion defence equipment programme, science & technology, counter-terrorism and counter-piracy.

In 2009, he was appointed the Head of Afghanistan and Pakistan Policy, responsible for advice to the National Security Council on the policy, financial, legal, parliamentary and presentational aspects of the UK military contribution to operations in Afghanistan, and on the long-term defence role and interests in Pakistan.

From 2011 to 2014, he was Head of Defence Strategy and Priorities, leading two teams, one responsible for leading the MOD’s contribution to developing the 2015 National Security Strategy and the Strategic Defence and Security Review, and the other for prioritising the MOD’s international defence engagement activities. In 2013, he graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science with an MSc with Distinction in Strategy and Diplomacy. He has been a member of the RCDS Strategic Advisory Panel, a member of the US Air Force Grand Strategy Advisory Board, and is a graduate of the PINNACLE Command and Staff course.

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