UK unveils 75 scholarships to mark India's independence anniversary

Britain on Wednesday announced a partnership with leading businesses in India to offer 75 fully funded scholarships for Indian students to study in the UK from September, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the country's independence.

The programmes on offer include Chevening scholarships for a one-year Master's programme, with the opportunity to study any subject at a UK university. Additionally, the British Council in India is offering around 18 scholarships for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) - covering over 12,000 courses across more than 150 UK universities.

Along with these, the British Council is also offering six English scholarships.

The UK government said it marks the highest number of fully funded scholarships given for the one-year Master's programme to date.

"In India's 75th year, this is a great milestone together," Alex Ellis, the British High Commissioner to India, told the India Global Forum's UK-India Week in London.

"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 per cent of Chevening scholars in India come from smaller cities or are first generation students, making this an increasingly diverse programme," he said.

HSBC, Pearson India, Hindustan Unilever NSE -0.54 %, Tata Sons and Duolingo will sponsor one each as part of the 75 scholarships.

The Chevening scheme is the UK government's international awards scheme offered in 150 countries, aimed at developing global leaders since 1983. India's Chevening programme is the largest in the world with over 3,500 alumni.

The fully funded scholarships include tuition, living expenses and travel cost for a one-year-postgraduate programme. A minimum of two years' work experience is required for candidates to be eligible for the award and details will be made available through the Chevening website.

The UK government said that education is one of the mainstays of the diaspora living bridge between the UK and India, which connects people through common values and affinities. According to the latest official statistics, nearly 108,000 study visas were issued to Indian nationals in the year ending March 2022, almost double the number compared to the previous year.

Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/study/uk-unveils-75-scholarships-to-mark-indias-independence-anniversary/articleshow/92550147.cms