Studying in the United Kingdom can be a dream come true for many Indian students. However, with the current exchange rate, it can also be a financial challenge. Fortunately, there are several scholarships available to Indian students that can help alleviate the financial burden. In this article, we will explore some of the top scholarships offered by prestigious organizations such as the British Council, the Charles Wallace India Trust, and the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation. These scholarships cover a wide range of courses and subjects, providing Indian students with the opportunity to pursue their higher education goals in the UK.
Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships
The Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT) has been working in partnership with the British Council India for 40 years to offer scholarships to Indian students. These scholarships are available for both long-term and short-term courses in the field of arts or heritage conservation. The long-term grants are usually for a full-time MA course, while the short-term grants are around three weeks in duration.
Subjects/Courses: Arts (visual arts, performance arts, film, photography, design, curating, art history) and Heritage Conservation (conversation architecture, management of heritage projects/sites, conservation of materials/paintings/photographs/film, management of museums and collection, engineering in relation to conservation of heritage buildings and structures)
Eligibility:
- Be an Indian citizen living in India
- Be aged between 28 and 38
- Have not received a CWIT grant within the last five years
- Have a first degree, diploma, or professional qualification in their specialization. CWIT prefers applicants with significant working experience
Deadline:
- Long-term grants: January 14, 2024
- Short-term grants: February 28, 2024
Amount:
- Long-term: Covers the living costs and course fees in the UK. Also contributes GBP 600 towards international travel
- Short-term: One-off grant of £1,500 towards the costs of their short stay in the UK
GREAT Scholarships
The GREAT Scholarships are offered by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council in partnership with various UK higher education institutions. These scholarships aim to support Indian students who wish to pursue higher studies in the UK. For the 2024-25 academic year, there are 26 postgraduate scholarships available across a variety of subjects.
Subjects/Courses: Different universities provide scholarships for various courses ranging from business management and computing science to education and art and design.
Eligibility:
- The student should be a citizen of India
- Student should have an undergraduate degree
- Academic qualifications required by the college you apply for
- Should meet the English language requirement of the UK HEI
- Have an acceptance letter from the UK university
Deadline: The deadline to apply for a GREAT Scholarship varies according to each institution. Generally, applications are open from April 3 to June 15, 2024.
Amount: Each scholarship is worth a minimum of £10,000 towards tuition fees for a one-year postgraduate course.
British Council’s Women in STEM Scholarships
The British Council’s Women in STEM Scholarships are specifically tailored for women with a background in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). These scholarships provide opportunities for master’s degree programs or early academic fellowships in STEM subjects at leading UK universities.
Subjects/Courses: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Eligibility:
- Students should have an undergraduate degree that will enable them to gain access to one of the pre-selected postgraduate courses at a UK university (for Masters level) or completed all components of PhD in the last three years (for Early Academic Fellowships)
- Meet the English language requirement of the UK university partner
- Demonstrate a case for financial support
- Are active in the field with work experience or a proven interest in their subject area
Deadline: Early 2024 (dates to be announced)
Amount: Economic support will include tuition fees, stipend, travel costs, visa, and health coverage fees. The scholarship also has special support for mothers.
Research Council UK Scholarships
The Research Council UK offers scholarships for postgraduate research training in various academic research fields. These scholarships are awarded to research organizations, who then undertake the selection and recruitment of students.
Subjects/Courses: Research Councils in the UK provide funding for different subjects of academic research, including Arts and Humanities, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences, Engineering and Physical Sciences, and more.
Eligibility:
- Undergraduate results – holding a 2:1 or higher undergraduate degree.
- Extra qualifications and experience – obtaining a Masters degree (or equivalent postgraduate qualification), as well as carrying out professional research or work experience. These are not necessary requirements but will enhance your application.
- Residency – Students in the UK who have been a resident in the UK for three years may normally be able to receive a full studentship for both living costs and fees. International students are also eligible for a full award covering their fees, living costs, and other expenses.
Deadline: To be announced
Amount: £18,622 as a minimum Doctoral stipend to cover living expenses and £4,712 for PhD tuition fees
Royal Society – Hamied Foundation International Exchanges Award
The Royal Society’s Hamied Foundation International Exchanges Award is designed for scientists based in the UK who want to collaborate with researchers in India. The award provides grants for collaborations across a range of fields, including Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and many more.
Subjects/Courses: Available for a range of courses such as Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Environmental Science, Physiology, Biochemistry, and many more.
Eligibility:
- Hold a PhD or have equivalent research experience
- Hold a fixed or permanent contract at an eligible organization for the duration of the project (ineligible organizations include industrial, private and commercial organizations, university spin-out companies, and government bodies)
- Based in the respective countries at the time of the application
Deadline: Applications open on January 10, 2024
Amount: The funding available is dependent upon the length of the visit, where students can request:
- Up to £3,000 for one-off travel lasting up to three months
- Up to £6,000 for multiple visits to be completed within one year
- Up to £12,000 for multiple visits to be completed within two years and cost-share projects fixed at two years
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship
The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship has been granting scholarships to Indian students since 1976. This scholarship supports Indian students who wish to pursue a full-time Masters, MPhil, or Doctoral program at top-rated American, UK, and European institutions.
Subjects/Courses: Social Sciences, Humanities, Law, Fine Arts, Architecture, Mathematics, Sciences, Environment, and related subjects
Eligibility:
- Open to all Indian passport holders who are resident in India at the time of application
- An undergraduate degree from a recognized university in India
- Candidates having a postgraduate qualification (e.g., Master’s or PhD) from an institution abroad are not eligible to apply.
- Candidates who are already studying or have started their postgraduate education at an institution abroad are not eligible to apply.
- It is essential to have prior admission to the institution and course chosen at the time of application.
- Candidates who have an English language certification as a conditional part of their offer letter need to attain that certification before applying for the scholarship.
- Those born on or after 1st January 1994 are eligible to apply for the 2024 scholarships.
- For Social Sciences, Humanities, Law, Fine Arts, Architecture, and related subjects, candidates must have a minimum academic grade of 65%, CGPA 6.8, or GPA 2.6 from a recognized university/institution.
- For Mathematics, Sciences, Environment, and related subjects, candidates must have a minimum academic grade of 70%, CGPA 7.2, or GPA 2.8 from a recognized university/institution.
Deadline: Applications open in February 2024 and will go on till March 22, 2024
Amount: Award up to USD 100,000 to cover program tuition as well as scholars’ living expenses, healthcare, and one-way airfare.
These scholarships provide incredible opportunities for Indian students to pursue their higher education goals in the UK. Whether you’re interested in arts, STEM subjects, or research, there are scholarships available to support your journey. Be sure to check the official websites of each scholarship for detailed eligibility criteria and application deadlines. Don’t let financial constraints hold you back from achieving your dreams of studying in the UK. Apply for these scholarships and unlock a world of possibilities!