The British Council held a press conference in Mumbai yesterday to launch its GREAT Scholarships and GREAT Careers Guide, with the aim to showcase UK as the best place for Indian students to pursue higher education. The programme features 370 scholarships worth almost GBP 1 million, offering 260 courses across top universities in the UK from September 2014 to January 2015. The Council is also organising an education fair across India, which will witness the participation of 70 universities from Britain who wish showcase their courses to aspiring students.
“UK’s commitment to India is evident from the three visits David Cameron has made during his term as Prime Minister. During his last visit he focused on the education, stating that UK is looking to attract the best and the brightest minds to study in the country, and carry that education forward wherever they go. This is what we are trying to highlight here as well. There are 43,000 non-European students in the UK right now, and 30,000 of them are Indian. There is no limit to the number of education visas we issue,” said Andrew Soper, Counsellor (Prosperity), British High Commission, New Delhi.
Soper cited quality of education, high number of institutes and courses, global recognition and better lifestyle as some of the main reasons students should select UK for higher education. He further added that the country has introduced a new visa for aspiring graduate entrepreneurs who have great business plans in a bid to encourage such students to stay back and pursue these ventures.
The GREAT Careers Guide that was unveiled at the press conference features all the practical information and tips an Indian student would need while applying and then studying and lodging in the UK. “The links between our countries in terms of education is quite strong. We are a cosmopolitan country, an English speaking nation, and have a large Indian Diaspora. Furthermore, research shows that students educated in the UK get paid higher than graduates from other countries. Four of the world’s top six universities are in the UK, and offer every course imaginable. This is the best time for students to come to the country,” added Soper.
