|
|
 |
|
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
|
 |
|
|
|
QUESTIONS ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS AND PROGRAMMES MANAGED BY THE BRITISH COUNCIL |
|
|
 |
|
If I am selected for a British Council-managed scholarship programme, will my visa be
processed by the British Council and how long will it take? |
|
|
Yes, it will be processed by the British Council. It will take up to two working days to
get your UK visa. |
|
|
|
Will my family visa for studying in the UK be processed by the British Council? |
|
|
No, the British Council will only process visas for individuals. Once you have your
individual visa, you can apply for a family visa. |
|
|
The Commonwealth Scholarship/Fellowships Plan UK are 55 annual Scholarships and up to 70 Fellowships for Indian academic staff.
You can get awarded a Scholarship in specific subjects, but you must be studying for
either:
- a one-year Master's
- a three-year PhD
- or a one-year Clinical Training Award.
As the Scholarships are for postgraduate study or research, you must have a university
degree or equivalent qualification. If there are no undergraduate courses in a particular
subject in your own country or regional university, you can sometimes apply you to do a
first degree course under this scheme.
With Academic Fellowships, you are meant to be a staff member of an Indian university (in specific subjects) and be
nominated by the executive head of the university you work full time at.
What these Scholarships cover
Most of these Scholarships cover:
- cost of travel
- tuition fees
- living expenses.
In some cases, you may also get an allowance for books and clothes or living costs for
your spouse.
Scholarship selection
For these Scholarships the selection is carried out by the Ministry of Human Resource
Development (MHRD), Department of Education, Government of India. The Association of
Commonwealth Universities (ACU), London, make the final selection on the basis of the
nominations sent by the MHRD.
To be selected for a Scholarship, you'll need to:
- be a resident of India
- make an application (at least one-year before the course starts)
- get on the shortlist
- go for a personal interview in New Delhi (they're usually held in November/December).
Every year, MHRD advertises these scholarships in July or August for the next academic
year. Deadlines do vary, so you'll need to double-check when the deadline falls before you
apply.
Academic Fellowship selection
For Academic Fellowships on the other hand, selection is carried out in India by University Grants Commission
(UGC). The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), London, will make the final selection on the basis of the nominations sent by the
UGC.
To be selected for an Academic Fellowships you'll need to:
- be a resident of India
- be nominated by an executive head of a university you work full time at
- make an application (at least one year before the academic year starts)
- get on the shortlist
- go for a personal interview in New Delhi (they're usually held in November/December).
Every year, the UGC sends circulars to all universities in July or August for nominations
for the next academic year. Deadlines do vary, so you'll need to double-check the deadline
falls with your respective executive heads before you apply.
Some tips
- do not write to the Association of Commonwealth Universities in London, as they cannot allocate individual scholarships
- contact the Commonwealth Scholarship Agency in your own country
- if you are already in the UK, contact the ACU for general information about the scheme (it cannot issue application forms).
For more information on Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, visit the Department of Education
|
|
|
|
