UK announces 75 scholarships for Indian students

In conjunction with India’s upcoming 75th year of independence, the UK has partnered leading businesses in India to offer 75 fully-funded UK scholarships for Indian students to study in the UK.

Among the scholarships being offered include Chevening scholarships for Indian students looking to undertake a one-year master’s programme at a UK university in any subject. It will cover tuition, living expenses, and travel costs. This scholarship requires applicants to have accumulated a minimum of two years’ work experience.

HSBC in India has teamed up with Chevening to offer the “Chevening HSBC Scholarship programme”. The company will sponsor 15 scholarships.

In a press statement by the British High Commission New Delhi, HSBC India CEO Hitendra Dave said, “We’re delighted to partner with Chevening for the ‘Chevening HSBC Scholarship’ programme.

“Our objective is to encourage young people with potential to become leaders and decision makers in their fields by leveraging the world-class educational facilities offered under this programme. As a British bank with a significant lineage and legacy in India, we believe we have a meaningful role to play in developing leadership talent in the country.”

From English language to STEM scholarships, there is a wide selection of UK-based scholarships to choose from. Source: Daniel Leal/AFP

75 UK scholarships for Indian students up for grabs

Besides Chevening, the British Council of India and HSBC — Pearson India will sponsor two scholarships. Hindustan Unilever, Duolingo, and Tata Sons will sponsor one each as part of the 75 scholarships.

Female applicants from India looking to pursue a master’s programme or an early academic fellowship in a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field may apply for one of 18 scholarships offered by the British Council in India.

Applicants have a wide selection of courses to choose from — up to 12,000 from 150 UK universities, notes the press release.

Among the 75 UK scholarships for Indian students include six English scholarships by the British Council of India.

This is the highest number of fully-funded scholarships given for the one-year master’s programme to date.

British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis was delighted by the unwavering support offered by their industry partners.

“Nearly 30% of Chevening scholars in India come from smaller cities or are first-generation students, making this an increasingly diverse programme,” Ellis said.

During UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s recent visit to India, he welcomed the “India/UK Together” programme, promoting the rich cultural ties between both countries.

In the year ending March 2022, nearly 108,000 student visas were issued to Indian nationals, almost double compared to the previous year.