Imperial College London, a public research university, has unveiled the biggest-ever scholarship program for Indian students for their Master's degree. This prestigious university of the UK stands 6th in the QS World University rankings for the year 2023 and has assured to provide world-class education to the 30 Indian students through their 'Future Leaders Scholarship' program.
The announcement came following the visit of Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science and Technology. In addition, Imperial College London partnered with the UK government's Chevening Scholarship to fund an additional three Master's scholars from India over the next three years.
Future Leaders Scholarship
According to Professor Peter Haynes, vice-provost (education and student experience) at Imperial College London, "The Future Leaders Scholarship will build a pathway for the most talented students in India to deepen their studies and expand their experiences at one of the world's top universities." Some of the essential particulars about the scholarship are as follows:
Category
It is a prestigious scholarship offered to outstanding graduates from India who wish to pursue a one-year full-time M.Sc., MRes in the faculty of Engineering, Natural Sciences, and Medicine or Imperial College Business School.
Scholarship
A scholarship is worth £10,000 towards tuition fees and is available to 10 students for the academic year 2024/25. It is available for a total of 3 years.
Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for the scholarship include being within the domicile of India, having submitted an application to study at Imperial College, and having received an offer to study by May 11, 2024. The scholarship is not available to continuing students.
The scholarship program aims to equip students with the skills and expertise to take the next step in their personal and professional journey.
Chevening Scholarship
Applications for this scholarship are open from 12 September 2023 to 7 November 2023. The Chevening Scholarship is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office and partner organizations. They offer awards to study in the UK for one year on a fully funded master's degree course.
For this, the students should
- Hold an undergraduate degree that enables entry into a post-graduate program at a UK university by the time of the submission of the application.
- Have at least two years of work experience (equivalent to 2,800 hours) and return to India for a minimum of two years after the award has ended.
In addition to covering the total cost of tuition and living expenses, this scholarship is for those pursuing Master's programs in Engineering, Natural sciences, Business, and Medical Research.
According to Alison Barrett MBE, Director India, British Council, "As one of the top-ranking institutions in the world, Imperial's new scholarships have created an opportunity for aspiring and talented young Indians to study in the UK and get access to world-class education."
India Future Leaders Scholarship:
Valued at £10,000 per student, this scholarship is targeted at outstanding Indian graduates pursuing postgraduate and master’s research degrees. It covers a variety of fields including aeronautics, chemistry, business, and engineering, among others. Candidates are automatically considered upon receiving an offer for a relevant program by a specified date.
To learn more about other universities in the UK, click here.
How Does Studying in the UK Benefit Indian Students?
The UK is home to some of the prestigious and highly-ranked institutions and is a popular destination to study abroad for Indian students. Here are some of the reasons listed by Rittika Chanda Parruck, Director of Education, British Council India.
- Credibility - According to the QS World Rankings 2023, 4 of the top 10 institutes globally are UK-based. They focus on holistic development by providing a balanced learning experience while equipping students with the necessary skills to succeed in the globalized world.
- Employability– The UK graduates are the most employed in the world. The Graduate route allows the students to stay back for a maximum of 2 years to work or look for work. (Ph.D., students can stay back up to 3 years).
- Affordability – The UK offers education at a lower average cost compared to some of the popular foreign educational institutions. In addition, they also offer various scholarships to international students for pursuing their higher studies.
- Student-Friendly Policies and Initiatives –
MRQS (Mutual recognition of academic qualifications) recognizes academic qualifications from undergraduate and post-graduate to doctorate degrees. Graduate Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1) allows graduates with a business idea to set up their businesses in the country. - Liveability - The network of communities of students, faculty, and mentors in UK universities helps students while they settle in the country, thereby providing academic and emotional support.
Conclusion
The initiative of the UK Government and Imperial College London has opened new avenues of educational and cultural exchange. It does not only promote international cooperation but also underscores the institution's commitment to fostering diversity and enriching the global academic landscape.
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