British Council Scholarships for Indian Students
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British Council Scholarships for Indian Students

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Priya
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Jun 11, 2024 17:41 IST

Studying in the UK gives wings to your resume (CV) and career prospects. The higher education degrees received from UK universities are respected across the globe. However, if the cost of studying in the UK is a concern for you then, you must explore the British Council Scholarships for Indian students

British Council Scholarships for Indian Students

The British Council offers several funding opportunities to prospective international students willing to study in the top universities in the UK. Students can avail of partial funding that contributes only towards the tuition fees or full funding that contribute towards their tuition fees, cost of living in the UK and their return airfare to the UK.

Several British Council Scholarships are available for Indian students such as the British Council Commonwealth Scholarships, British Council STEM Scholarships and British Council GREAT Scholarships. Read this article till the end to learn about all the major details about the British Council Scholarships.  

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Types of British Council Commonwealth Scholarships

There are several different types of British Council Commonwealth Scholarships. The description, eligibility criteria, benefits and the process of application for each application are given below.








British Council GREAT Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to aspiring students who wish to study a postgraduate course at a university in the UK. For 2024-25, 26 GREAT Scholarships are available in a variety of subjects for Indian students to study a postgraduate course at one of the top universities in the UK.







The GREAT Scholarships are partially funded and contribute £10,000 towards your 1-year postgraduate programme fee

Great Scholarship Benefits

Number of Scholarships Available for Indian Students in 2024

26

Type of Funding

Partially-funded

Amount of Scholarship

£10,000 towards 1-year PG course fees

Funding Bodies

GREAT Britain Campaign of the UK government and the British Council along with several participating UK universities

Eligibility Criteria of GREAT Scholarships for Indian students: Only those students will be eligible for a GREAT scholarship who:

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  • Are Indian citizens. 
  • Has a relevant bachelor’s degree and a keen interest in pursuing a PG course in the proposed subject area. 
  • Meets the English language requirement of their chosen university in the UK.
  • Will be willing to attend the networking events scheduled for all GREAT scholars based in the UK. 
  • Will be willing to act as an ambassador for the GREAT scholarships and maintain contact with the British Council and their HEIs. 
  • Can talk to the potential participants of the GREAT Scholarship as an alumnus and share their experience of the same. 

How to Apply for GREAT Scholarships: The steps to apply for the British Council GREAT Scholarships for Indian students are given below.

  1. Look at the list of participating universities on the GREAT Scholarships official page. Follow the instructions provided on your chosen university’s page.  
  2. The last date to apply for GREAT Scholarships varies from institution to institution and the same must be confirmed from individual university pages. 
  3. Upon application, universities will contact the GREAT scholarship winners and the scholarship will be granted to them after the completion of registrations. 

Note:- The deadline for GREAT Scholarships for Indian students in most UK universities has passed. However, some universities are still taking applications for the same, for example - Anglia Ruskin University (application deadline - 28 June 2024).

British Council Commonwealth Scholarship

A partially funded scholarship, the British Council Commonwealth Scholarship is awarded to individuals who have the ability to bring positive change to the globe. Awarded to students seeking admission to postgraduate courses at the top universities in the UK, the Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded to candidates coming from the Commonwealth nations. 

The British Council Commonwealth Scholarship is a primary scholarship scheme in the UK, aimed to attract global talent while also aligning with the UK’s international development aims. 

Based on the nature of courses and the individual requirements of each candidate, several Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded. These are:

  • Commonwealth PhD Scholarships,
  • Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships,
  • Commonwealth Shared Scholarships,
  • Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships,
  • Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships, and 
  • Commonwealth Professional Fellowships.

British Council Commonwealth Scholarship Benefits

Number of Scholarships Available 

700

Type of Funding

Fully-funded

Amount of Scholarship

  • Complete tuition fees
  • Living allowances
  • Airfare to travel to and from the UK

Eligibility Criteria for British Council Commonwealth Scholarship: Only those candidates will be eligible for this scholarship who:

  • Is a permanent resident of a Commonwealth nation, a refugee or a British-protected person.
  • Have an honours UG degree of at least upper-second class to apply for a PG course. To apply for a PhD, a relevant master’s degree is required. 
  • Proves that they would be unable to afford their studies without financial support. 

Note: The above eligibility criteria may vary according to university, make sure to check the official website of your chosen university before applying.

How to Apply for a British Council Commonwealth Scholarship: The British Council Commonwealth Scholarships are applied to either through a National Nominating Agency, a Non-governmental Organisation or a university. To find out how to apply for each of these scholarships, candidates must check the CSC application page. 

Note:- The general deadline for the British Council Commonwealth Scholarships is usually in December. However, candidates must keep a check of the same on the individual university’s website or the Commonwealth Scholarships application page.

British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM

The British Council STEM Scholarship is provided to women who have completed their bachelor’s degree and are willing to pursue a postgraduate degree/course in either science, technology, engineering or mathematics-related fields/subjects at one of the top universities in the UK.

The British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM (WIS) is a fully-funded scholarship that covers tuition fees, living costs, travel airfare, health insurance and even a reimbursement on the English exam fees. Only women from some selected countries of South Asia can avail of this scholarship upon demonstrating their need for financial support and who can inspire future generations of women to pursue research or careers in the STEM field. 

British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM Benefits

Type of Funding

Fully-funded

Eligible Courses

Postgraduate courses in pre-selected STEM subjects

Scholarship Benefits

  • Full tuition fees towards the PG program
  • Travel Costs
  • Living Stipend 
  • Health Coverage and Visa Fees
  • IELTS test fee refund, if required. 

Eligibility Criteria for British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM: The following women are eligible for the WIS Scholarships:

  • The ones who are willing to take a course in STEM subjects starting from September or October 2024 at the top universities in the UK. 
  • The ones who demonstrate the need for financial support.
  • The women who have pursued a bachelor’s degree relevant to the pre-selected subjects of the PG courses at a university in the UK.
  • Have the desired level of fluency in the English language. 
  • Are active in a STEM field with work experience and willing to act and provide support as a British Council Scholarship alumni.

Below are a few exceptions to the eligibility criteria for the WIS British Council Scholarships.   

  • Candidates with dual British citizenship will not be eligible for the Women in STEM Scholarship awards by the British Council. 
  • Candidates receiving financial support from other sources in the UK. 
  • Candidates who have previously studied in the UK with financial support either from the UK government or a university/financial bursary.
  • Candidates who themselves or their relatives* are current or former employees of His Majesty’s Government or the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM.

(*): Relatives are categorised as the real/step-parents, real/step-siblings, children/step-children, spouse or civil/unmarried partner.

How to Apply for the British Council STEM Scholarship: Below are the instructions for applying to the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM.

  • Since the shortlisting process and the distribution of scholarship awards lies entirely with the universities in the UK. Candidates willing to apply for a WIS Scholarship must apply on their desired university website. 
  • The last dates and application requirements for each of the participating universities differ from each other. Hence, candidates are advised to check their chosen university’s website before applying. 
  • More than one application can be submitted, but each needs to be applied through a different institution/university in the UK. 

This was all about British Council Scholarships for Indian Students. We have learnt about the application, eligibility criteria and benefits of each of these scholarships.

If you have any doubts, feel free to leave your queries in the comments below. 

British Council Scholarships FAQs

Q. How to get a British Council Scholarship for Indian Students?

A. One can get a British Council Scholarship by applying for the same on the participating university’s official website. Candidates are advised to check the list of participating institutions in the UK and then apply for the scholarship after checking and fulfilling the required eligibility criteria.

Q. How to get a 100% scholarship to study in the UK?

A. Several scholarships in the UK provide partial and full funds that contribute towards the tuition fees and the tuition fees, living costs and airfare respectively. All these scholarships can be applied to online either at their concerned websites or through university portals as part of the application process. The list of all the available scholarships and details on all these are also given on UK university websites. Candidates are advised to check the scholarship section of their desired UK university.

Q:   How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?

A:

The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses: 

The Undergraduate Application Process:  

Step 1:  You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.

Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.

Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.

Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements. 

Check out:  tips to improve your SOP

Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS. 

Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.

Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.

The Postgraduate application process: 

Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\

Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.

Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.

Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course. 

To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application. 

Step 5:  If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester. 

Q:   Does the University of Essex require IELTS?

A:

International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:

English Language Test

 Score

IELTS

Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section

The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:

English Language Test

 Score

TOEFL iBT

Overall score of 72 to 114

PTE

Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section

Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities

Q:   Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?

A:

The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.

Q:   What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?

A:

The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:

Ranking Body Ranking
The Guardian University Guide 2024 #101
The Complete University Guide 2024#117

Q:   What is University of Wales, Trinity Saint famous for?

A:

University of Wales, Trinity Saint (UWTSD) was founded in 2010, is a public institution for higher education and research at multiple locations. It was set up under the 1828 royal charter of Lampeter, the institution was the result of the merger between Trinity University College and the University of Wales. The institution merged with the Swansea Metropolitan University in 2013.

  • Top Ranked University: The UWTSD is not ranked by any major ranking body, however as per the university ranking given on the official website of the university, it is ranked among:
  1. #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Film Production and Photography
  2. #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Fashion and Textiles
  3. #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Graphic Design
  4. #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Education
  5. #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Sports Science
  6. #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Mechanical Engineering
  7. #1st in Wales for Fine Arts
  • Variety of Courses: UWTSD offers more than 300 programs at various levels including undergraduate, postgraduate degrees as well as multiple online courses.
  • Highly distinguished and learned faculties: the faculty at UWTSD    is highly learned and distinguished which enables students to be the best in their field of study.
  • High Placements: According to Graduate Outcome data 2019-2020 quoted by the UWTSD, more than 95% of its graduates were found to be employed within 15 Months of graduation. The average salary of a graduate is not explicitly released by UWTSD, however, as per some unofficial sources the average salary of the graduates of UWTSD is approximately INR 30-35L. with the highest salary being reported as high as INR 66.5L for jobs in Financial Services.

Q:   Why indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School - UK?

A:

Indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School in the UK for several reasons, including its highly ranked programs, global outlook, and career support. Hult offers a range of full-time master’s degrees, immersive bachelor's programs, and MBA options that prepare students to excel in the global job market. The school is the largest and top-ranked global business school, providing students with an incomparable universal outlook. Additionally, Hult's focus on experiential learning, extensive career support, and the opportunity to study at multiple campuses around the world are attractive to Indian students seeking a global business education. Furthermore, the school's emphasis on innovation and meeting the needs of students and employers may also contribute to its appeal to Indian students

Q:   How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?

A:

Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.

  • Know the exam pattern
  • Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
  • Solve previous year question papers
  • Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
  • Revise regularly
  • Figure out weaker areas and learn them well

With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.

Q:   How to download UK Board 12th date sheet 2024?

A:

Following are the steps to download the UK 12th date sheet 2024. 

  • Open the Uttarakhand Board's official website at ubse.uk.gov.in
  • Click on 'Examination Scheme' available on the homepage
  • A new window will appear on the screen containing a link of the UK Board 12th date sheet 2024
  • Click the link and download the Uttarakhand 12th date sheet 2024
About the Author
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Written by
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert

Priya Garg is a seasoned content writer and editor. With her rich experience in content writing, teaching and research & analysis, Priya believes in providing only the correct information which is also up-to-date. H... Read Full Bio

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