25/09/2014
Studying abroad is an expensive proposition, but some financial support can ease your cost burden — completely, if you bag an all-expenses-paid scholarship. You can find a host of full or partial scholarships and fellowships for different levels of study, from various governments (including Indian), universities, trusts, companies and other organizations. A good point to start your search for funds is the website of the embassy/high commission or the education promotion agency of the country you wish to study in or of the institution you intend to attend. Here is a small slice of numerous awards for international students in different parts of the world:
>>UNITED KINGDOM
Commonwealth scholarship and fellowship plan: The scholarships are for PhD programmes of up to three years’ duration (one year for a split PhD), one-year taught Master’s and six months of clinical training. These are for engineering and technology, science (pure and applied), agriculture, social sciences and the humanities. Winners receive funding for economy, return international travel, tuition fee and maintenance and other allowances. The fellowships are for postdoctoral study.
GREAT scholarships: GREAT provides 370 scholarships worth about Rs 100 million to Indian students in 260 undergraduate (UG) and PG courses at 36 UK institutions. The award value varies from institute to institute.
lGates Cambridge scholarships: This covers the full cost of studying for a full-time PG degree in any subject at Cambridge. Apart from the airfare, visa costs and tuition fee, students receive a maintenance allowance. They may apply for discretionary grants like family allowance, academic development funding, among others, as well.
Rhodes scholarships India: Funding PG study at Oxford, this award provides for all fees, a personal stipend, private health insurance and
airfare costs.
>>EUROPEAN UNION
Erasmus+ scholarships: These are fully funded and cover all costs including travel, living, insurance and visa. Under Erasmus+, India is a partner country, permitting Indian universities to link up with their European counterparts to become a member in a consortium.