For all those who are wondering if there are international scholarship opportunities available for Indian students, this article is for you.
Studying abroad is a daunting yet exciting journey for all of us. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime for some of us out there, as it opens a whole new world to experience, learn, and grow in. However, it is no easy step to take, pursuing an education abroad doesn’t come cheap, and finances are one heavy burden to bear.
Hence, any opportunity to ease your financial situation, in the form of scholarships or grants, is always welcome. Anyone interested in finding out about scholarship opportunities available for Indian students abroad, do keep reading. We will be looking at 5 scholarship opportunities available for Indians in 5 different countries!
Scholarships for Indian Students
As mentioned above, plenty of developed countries with great educational systems such as the UK, the USA, Australia, and more, offer several scholarships to international students, many of which are fully funded. Recipients of fully funded scholarships have the opportunity to pursue a high-standard education for little to no cost.
Here, we have 5 scholarships offered abroad to incoming Indian students, these include, the UBC Leader of Tomorrow Award, Destination Australia Program, Commonwealth scholarship and fellowship, Tata Scholarship, and DAAD Scholarship.
1. UBC Leader of Tomorrow Award (Canada)
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: Fully funded (tuition fee, living expenses, other financial needs)
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s | Offered by: British Columbia University
University of British Columbia awards the UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award to international students pursuing undergraduate degrees. University of British Columbia is situated in Canada. It is among the top 3 universities in Canada, and ranked 47th in the world university rankings in 2023, by QS World rankings.
This is one of the best scholarships students from India can apply for. The eligibility criteria for this scholarship require the current degree to be the student’s first undergraduate degree. Students must also meet the required English language proficiency and provide evidence when requesting need-based financial support.
The time of application for this scholarship is November each year, for programs starting the coming year. Students are also supposed to renew the scholarship after 3 years, in which case they would have to meet certain performance criteria set by the university.
2. Destination Australia Program (DAP)
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: Up to $15,000
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D. | Offered by: Australian Government, Department of Education
The Australian Embassy runs the Destination Australian Program, which allows both undergraduate and graduate-level students to receive a scholarship of up to $15,000. A list of designated Australian universities receives funds from the government, allowing both domestic and international students to live in regional areas in Australia, and pursue their studies with little to no costs. Students must apply for the scholarship via the designated educational providers
The eligibility criteria require students to follow several criteria throughout their scholarship; applicants must commence a new course full-time at one of the designated universities, the course must be among the Australian Qualifications Framework from Certificate IV level to Ph.D. (1 – 4 years), they must also reside in a regional area during the study period (according to the Australian Statistical Geography Standard Remoteness Structure). In addition, international students must also hold a valid student visa throughout their study period, and accept a full-time study program that is registered at CRICOS.
3. Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: Fully funded (tuition fees, round airfare, living allowance)
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, Ph.D. | Offered by: UK Commonwealth Scholarships Commission
As India is a member of the Commonwealth nations, Indian students are eligible for the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship program offered by the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission in the UK. This program is distributed to deserving students who have the potential to make significant contributions to the nation.
Aside from being a member of the Commonwealth nation, applicants must also meet several other eligibility requirements, such as English language proficiency, securing 60% marks in Humanities, and Social Sciences, or a minimum of 65% marks in the field of Agriculture, Engineering, Technology, and Science, and lastly, applicants must pass the interviews conducted by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
The application time for the scholarship is in August, for those who would be starting studies in the coming year. The scholarship can be used at UK universities, making it an excellent scholarship for Indian students in the UK.
4. Tata Scholarship
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: Fully funded (tuition fee for 8 semesters, living expenses, travel cost, and additional financial needs)
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s | Offered by: Cornell University
The Tata Scholarships are awarded by the Tata Education and Development Trust, which is an affiliate of the Tata Group India, awarded to undergraduate students from India at Cornell University.
Approximately 20 students may be supported by the Tata Scholarship fund at any one point. It is provided to ensure that talented Indian students may have access to Cornell despite their financial difficulties. The awards are sent out annually and recipients are provided with financial support throughout their undergraduate degree.
The eligibility criteria for obtaining the scholarship require applicants to be Indian citizens who have attended secondary school in India, have been offered admission into Cornell University, and can provide evidence for the need-based financial aid.
The time of application for the scholarship is October or November each year.
5. DAAD Scholarship
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: EUR 861 – EUR 1200, flat rate allowance, medical expenses, and additional benefits
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, Ph.D. | Offered by: German Academic Exchange Service
Germany offers several scholarships both private and government to international students. Government scholarships are funded by the state, the amounts vary from EUR 150 to EUR 800 depending on the financial needs of the student.
The DAAD Scholarship is funded by the government, and provided by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The DAAD scholarship is awarded to over 100,000 German and foreign graduate students and scholars worldwide.
Individuals who wish to apply for this program are requested to read the call for applications for your desired scholarship on the scholarship database, which would also direct you to the application portal. The applications for the scholarship will be reviewed by voluntary selection committees. The selection depends on the subject-related criteria.
FAQs: Scholarship Opportunities for Indian Students
Which Country Offers the Best Scholarships for Indian Students?
There are plenty of countries that provide partial and fully funded scholarships to Indians, such as the UK, the USA, Canada, China, Japan, Australia, Korea, and most of the member states of the EU. All of which offer great scholarships, either renowned universities or scholarships that can be used at such universities.
It is, however, advised that you do thorough research on the scholarships available in the country of your choice, the eligibility criteria, and the applicability of the scholarships before you apply.
There are indeed plenty of scholarship opportunities available for Indian students in several countries, including nations that boast of high standards in education. These scholarship opportunities would certainly be a game changer for many talented Indian students out there in dire financial situations.
Hopefully, this article on the best scholarships for Indians gives you the push you need to go ahead and pursue your higher education. Make sure to also check out our Scholarships Page for different information on scholarships and universities across the globe!
