Creative Advertising master’s student on securing a Chevening Scholarship
05 March 2026
Being awarded a prestigious Chevening Scholarship marked a turning point for Fabiana Pérez Fernández, opening the door to postgraduate study in the UK and a new phase in her creative career. After several years working in visual communication roles in Cuba, Fabiana decided the time was right to return to study.
Now studying on Falmouth’s MA Creative Advertising, Fabiana is using the course to build on her professional experience and develop a more strategic, insight-led approach to creative work. We caught up with Fabiana to talk about what the scholarship means to her, why she chose creative advertising and how her studies are shaping her future ambitions.
Why did you decide that now was the right time to study a master’s degree?
Since graduating with a degree in Visual Communication Design, I had always been interested in pursuing a master’s degree in a creative field related to my background. However, I wanted to gain substantial work experience first. By mid-2024, I had spent two and a half years working as a Visual Communication Specialist for a French construction company based in Cuba, where I oversaw internal communications and designed graphic materials. Although I achieved very positive results and took on increasing responsibilities, I began to feel uninspired and professionally stagnant, as the work became repetitive and offered little room for creativity. It was at that point that I realised it was the right moment to pursue a master’s degree, one that would allow me to expand my skills and give fresh direction to my professional career.
What attracted you towards studying MA Creative Advertising at Falmouth University?
After deciding to pursue my master’s degree in the UK through a Chevening Scholarship, I began exploring different options to shape my career path and discovered a passion for creative advertising in a way I did not expect. What excited me most about this field was how brands can capture an audience’s attention and create a lasting impact by connecting with people on an emotional level. This ability to engage with human nature through visual messages truly fascinated me.
Some of Fabiana's work can be found above.
Coming from Cuba, a socialist country where advertising has traditionally been very limited and often associated with consumerism, I have observed that this field has recently begun to grow alongside the development of the private sector. This context motivated me to study Creative Advertising not only to become a highly skilled professional, but also to contribute to its development in my country.
I chose the course at Falmouth because of its dynamic, practice-based approach, its engaging modules and the opportunity to build a strong professional portfolio through innovative, real-world advertising projects. I was particularly drawn to the artistic spirit of the University and its relevance within the creative industries, which made it an ideal environment for my academic and professional growth.
How did you feel when you found out you had been awarded a Chevening Awards scholarship?
When I received the news, I could hardly believe it. I felt that a lifelong dream had come true and that all the effort and dedication had finally paid off. I also felt a deep sense of pride and responsibility at being selected among so many talented candidates. For me, Chevening represented not only the opportunity to pursue my master’s degree in the UK, but also validation of my professional journey and my long-term commitment to contributing to my country.
The application process was both challenging and transformative and has been one of the most demanding experiences of my life. It required a great deal of self-reflection, discipline and perseverance, particularly when defining my career plan and future impact. I had to be highly organised and proactive throughout each stage of the process, which lasted almost a year. The experience pushed me beyond my comfort zone and helped me grow both personally and professionally.
What new ways of thinking or working have you developed since joining the course?
Since joining the course, I have developed my creative thinking and problem-solving skills through modules such as Concept Creation and Strategic Approaches to Creativity. I now approach ideas not only from a visual perspective, but also with a deeper understanding of insight, purpose and audience behaviour. I have also strengthened my ability to work under pressure and adapt quickly to new challenges.
How do theory and practice come together on the MA Creative Advertising course?
On the MA Creative Advertising course, theory and practice are closely connected through a studio-based learning approach that reflects how a real advertising agency works. Through theory, we learn key concepts related to advertising strategy, consumer behaviour and new technologies, which we then apply directly to creative briefs. This includes developing advertising campaigns that bring together copywriting, art direction and multimedia production. This combination ensures that our work is not only creative, but also strategic, relevant and suited to the realities of the contemporary advertising industry.
What are you hoping to explore or challenge through your final major project?
My final major project will be a portfolio of creative work. Through it, I want to challenge myself to produce campaigns that are not only visually engaging, but also meaningful, relevant and capable of connecting with audiences on an emotional level. I aim to experiment with different media formats and storytelling techniques to showcase the full range of skills I have developed during the course. I want to push the boundaries of my own creativity by taking risks and testing ideas that are bold, original and forward-thinking.
External links
You might also like
Creative Writing students see their short stories published on Mazed Tales
Journalism & Creative Writing charity partner host media masterclass in Falmouth
Online Illustration cohort spend two days partaking in insightful talks, workshops and gallery visits
Studying a master’s in Film & TV as a Chevening Scholar
Credit: Ruby Cooper and Ruthie Brooks-Steele