Erry Hakiki, an MA Governance, Development and Public Policy student at IDS, shares his experience of preparing for the Chevening interview and what helped him succeed. Before coming to the UK, Erry spent over ten years working with UNHCR in Indonesia, where he led registration strategies and digital innovation for refugee protection.
Watch the full interview here:
Interviewer: How did you approach applying for Chevening?
Erry: The scholarship is very prestigious, so I had known about it for a long time. But my application was not very straightforward. Several times I had to postpone submitting it because of work-related promotions, Covid-19 related issues, and also humanitarian projects that I couldn’t just leave behind.
I finally submitted my application in 2024 and was accepted on my first attempt, becoming part of a very small percentage of applicants selected.
Interviewer: What was the interview like?
Erry: My interview experience was very pleasant. The panel was kind, supportive and professional. They were not intimidating. I think most of the fear actually comes from ourselves. It is normal reaction because we want the scholarship desperately, but once we can manage our nerves, it becomes easier to focus on the interview itself. The key is to be relaxed, friendly yet professional during the interview process.
Interviewer: How did you prepare for the interview?
Erry: The interview usually builds on the essays we submitted. For me, it was an opportunity to expand on what I had already written, because in the written application we are limited by word count.
I structured my answers based on my experience, using a competency-based approach, which is commonly applied in United Nations interviews. I followed the STAR method- Situation, Task, Action and Result- and I also added an F which stands for Feedback at the end. This helped me explain my experience clearly and in a structured way.
Interviewer: Do you have any tips for people waiting for their interview?
Erry: I don’t think there is a single “magic formula” to succeed in the Chevening interview, but here are five strategies that helped me build confidence and prepare effectively.
Control your fear
My first realisation was that the interview itself is not something to fear. The panel is supportive and professional. The pressure mostly comes from us, which is absolutely normal. But we must make sure that we focus on the substance of our application rather than our nerves.
Expand the essay and make an interview script
The interview usually builds on your essays. I treated it as a chance to expand on my essay and go deeper into my experiences. To do this, I created more detailed versions of my answers into a verbal script and structured them using the STAR method. This helped me stay organised and ensure that I was explaining my experience clearly.
Memorise the script
I also prepared a structured “script” for myself. For me, this was important because English is not my first language. Memorising the structure helped me focus on the substance of my answers and stay on track.
At the same time, I would not recommend bringing a script into the interview or reading from it. The panel will notice, and it does not come across well.
Practise mock interviews
Practising was very important for me. I recorded myself answering questions and watched the recordings to see where I could improve. I also did mock interviews with others who had scholarship interview experience. Honest feedback made a big difference. It helped me see what I needed to improve and refine my answers.
At the same time, I personally preferred not to practise with other candidates. I felt that comparing myself with others could affect my confidence. It was more helpful for me to focus on my own preparation.
Prepare additional examples
One important lesson for me was not to rely only on the examples in my essays. During the interview, I was asked to provide different examples of my leadership experience. Because I had prepared additional examples, I was able to personalise the response without any difficulty. This made me feel more flexible and confident during the conversation.
Securing a Chevening scholarship is highly competitive, and for many applicants, the interview stage can feel like the most challenging part of the process. This is an important moment to show that you really deserve the scholarship and that you are the leader they are looking for. My advice is simple: keep practising, be authentic, and be yourself. Personalised your story by focusing on what you have done, and try to stay confident.
Good luck to all the applicants from around the world!
Erry Hakiki is currently pursuing an MA in Governance, Development and Public Policy at the Institute of Development Studies. For more information about this degree, please click below: