If you aspire to pursue your higher studies abroad and are looking for relevant courses in the United Kingdom, then there couldn’t be a more opportune time than now. As a friendly gesture toward celebrating the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, the UK government has announced a partnership with some leading businesses in India to grant 75 fully-funded scholarships for Indian students. This will come into effect September 2022 onwards.
Considering the total cost of the programme and living expenses abroad, this will certainly be a big help for aspiring youth to fulfil their dream of studying abroad.
Here are more details on the scholarships for Indian students to study in the UK:
Chevening Scholarships for a one-year master’s programme: This will allow Indian students to study any subject at a UK university.
Started in 1983, the Chevening scheme is the UK government’s international awards scheme offered in 150 countries and is aimed at developing global leaders. It is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and the Development Office and partner organisations.
India’s Chevening programme is the largest in the world and boasts over 3500 alumni.
Besides this, the British Council in India will offer around 18 scholarships for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This will cover more than 12,000 courses across more than 150 UK universities.
There is more. The British Council will also offer six English scholarships. According to the UK government, this will be the highest number of fully-funded scholarships provided ever for a one-year master’s programme. The British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, told the India Global Forum’s UK-India Week in London, “In India’s 75th year, this is a great milestone together. “
He further added, “Thanks to the exceptional support from our partners in industry, I am delighted to announce 75 scholarships for Indian students to experience the best of the UK. Nearly 30 percent of Chevening scholars in India come from smaller cities or are first generation students, making this an increasingly diverse programme.”
Some of the companies that will be supporting this initiative to celebrate India’s 75 years of independence are HSBC, Pearson India, Hindustan Unilever, Tata Sons and Duolingo.
Hitendra Dave, CEO, HSBC, said that they are delighted to partner with Chevening for the Chevening HSBC Scholarship programme. “Our objective is to encourage young people with the potential to become leaders and decision makers in their fields by leveraging the world class educational facilities offered under this programme. As a British bank with a significant lineage and legacy in India, we believe we have a meaningful role to play in developing leadership talent in the country,” he said.
As part of the 75 scholarships. HSBC India will sponsor 15, Pearson India will sponsor two, Hindustan Unilever, Tata Sons and Duolingo will sponsor one each.
This scholarship will include tuition fees, living expenses, and also travel expenses for a one-year postgraduate programme. At least two years’ work experience is required for candidates to be eligible for the award. Further details will be available on the Chevening website. According to the UK government, education is one of the mainstays of the diaspora in the UK and serves as a bridge between the UK and India. It also connects people through common values and affinities.
Going by the latest official statistics, in the year ending March 2022, nearly 108,000 study visas were issued to Indian nationals. This figure is almost double the number compared to the previous year.
During his recent visit to India, the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, welcomed the ‘India/UK Together’ programme. This programme promotes the rich cultural ties between both countries.
Here is the Detailed Information on Chevening India Scholarship Programme
Applications for 2023/2024 Chevening Scholarships are now open. Other than fully-funded tuition fees, this scholarship offers many other important benefits like access to state-of-the-art education facilities, opportunities galore for networking, and last but not least, a wonderful opportunity to explore the United Kingdom’s rich and diverse culture which is one of the top study abroad destinations in the world.
After completing the scholarship programme, students join Chevening’s diverse community of over 50,000 global alumni. This will ensure that you are equipped with the knowledge and relevant networks to help you turn your dreams into accomplishments and have a successful career ahead.
Though the successful candidates come from a diverse range of countries and backgrounds, what is common amongst them is their passion, vision, and skills needed to make this world a better place.
The entire application process for this scholarship for Indian and international students varies in length. This will depend on the award selected by a candidate. It can take a minimum of eight months from the application deadline to when the beneficiaries are conditionally selected for the award.
Once the process begins, candidates can start applying on the official website that is Chevening.org. It is recommended that you start applying early so that there are no last-minute troubles. When the application deadline is over, the sifting of eligible candidates begins; then the referees of the candidates are invited to submit their references. The shortlisted candidates will be invited by the British Embassy or High Commission for the next round of the process- the interview round. The interview is held in person. Only in exceptional cases, a Skype interview is allowed.
Bear in mind that referrals are a crucial part of this Chevening Scholarship application process. Thus, while selecting a referee, you must carefully follow the guidelines set down by the scholarship board. Ensure that your referee can comment on your general suitability to receive the Chevening Award. They should be associated with you, either in an academic or a professional capacity. They should not be your relatives or close personal friends.
If you are looking to pursue a master’s course abroad, then the UK is the destination now. With the UK government scholarships, the entire experience and stay at a UK university will be a smooth ride.
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