Chevening has no upper age limit and proudly welcomes scholars from all stages of life. Tiffany Tivasuradej shares her journey of returning to academia with Chevening after seven years in the corporate world.
My name is Tiffany Tivasuradej, a Chevening scholar studying an MPhil in Health, Medicine and Society at the University of Cambridge. While most scholars come to the UK to pursue their master’s with at least two years of work experience, I am returning to study my second master’s after seven years of consulting work in the corporate world.
From career break to social impact
I was motivated to return to academia not just for a career break, but to drive positive change in society through my research on supporting carers in corporate workplaces.
The inspiration for this topic comes from my experience of caring for my grandmother outside of a full-time job in Hong Kong, and the realisation that this issue is becoming increasingly discussed within academia and industry due to global ageing. These experiences sparked my ambition of leading change through interdisciplinary research, combining my professional training and background in medical anthropology.
Through the Chevening Scholarship, I hope to strengthen not just my academic expertise, but also the leadership skills and global network needed to translate insights into sustainable impact.
Challenges and strengths of a mature student
Going from working 9-to-5 to sitting in 9AM lectures was certainly challenging to begin with. I had to invest significantly more time and effort into catching up with the core readings compared to younger students, who had studied the material more recently. However, being a mature student has its advantages! For example, I found that my professional skills helped me manage my research project effectively and approach academic theory with a practical, real-world perspective – enriching both my essays and contributions to class discussions. Additionally, the Chevening community has been instrumental in supporting me since day one. Particularly the scholars at my university, they have become my extended family, cheering me on during tough times and keeping me motivated to continue striving for what I came back to academia to achieve.
Advice for future Chevening applicants
My biggest piece of advice for working professionals considering a career break to pursue a Chevening Scholarship is to see it as an investment in your long-term growth, both personally and professionally.
Aside from your studies, consider ways to get involved in your university’s societies or any Chevening volunteering events to strengthen your leadership skills and expand your connections to benefit future collaboration and job opportunities. Learning is lifelong, it’s never too late to study. However, returning to university requires readjusting, which is why planning for the transition is essential. If it’s your first time studying in the UK, exploring the blog posts shared by other scholars about their experiences is a great place to start.
Finally, stop doubting and start believing, because you will never know until you try!
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