Do working professionals need to resign from their current job to be eligible for the Chevening Schaolsrhip?

No, the Chevening Scholarship is awarded only for taught master's programs in the UK. The research-based master's programs (such as MRes), PhD and DPhil are ineligible for this scholarship.

No, requirement of English language to apply for the Chevening Scholarship was removed in 2020. However, as other points of the eligibility criteria for the Chevening Scholarship, students will be required to have received at least 1 offer from their three choices, which may require them to have proof of English proficiency. 

Chevening scholarship's shortlisting process from the date of the application deadline to the date of conditional selection of the recipients may take somewhere around 8 months applications to come up to the final list. 

FCDO expects Chevening scholars to prioritise their studies. However it also recognises the value of gaining work experience in the UK to enhance your career and overall experience. For this reason, ensure that any work you do complies with your visa conditions and does not interfere with your academic studies and performance.

If you are unsure about your visa permissions for work, contact the welfare and immigration team of the Chevening Scholarship with a copy of your visa and passport for clarification. 

Yes, January intake in UK is good, especially if you missed the September intake. This intake has less competition, more time to prepare applications, more scholarship access, and a smoother start with quieter campuses and shorter, focused courses, though course/university options are fewer than September