In today’s world, education has become one of the most essential and expensive assets. Most high school pass outs look for financial assistance to pursue the career of their dreams that requires several years of education. In such a scenario, scholarships come up as the most desired form of financial aid. This is because, unlike educational loans, you don’t have to repay scholarships. If you are deserving, you can get scholarships on merit basis. This makes scholarships prestigious and also pays for your degree. You should definitely apply for scholarships in the college of your choice. After all, a scholarship comes with numerous benefits.
The relief given via scholarship varies from program to program. Some provides with fee waivers of different range, from 25% to full 100% fee waiver. Some provides with living expenses, medical insurance, and much more.
In order to get a scholarship, a student must meet with all their eligibility requirements of the scheme, which again, varies from program to program. In this article, Your Legal Career Coach brings you a list of leading foreign scholarship for law students. Read on!
FELIX SCHOLARSHIPS (UK) [1]
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP
The Felix Scholarship enables outstanding students from India to pursue graduate studies in any subject at the University of Oxford, the University of Reading and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (SOAS). Felix has been supporting students at Oxford since 1991. The scholarships are administered by the three partner universities, with the support of the Felix Trustees.
THE SCHOLARSHIP COVERS
The scholarship covers 100% of course fees, a grant for living costs (around £15,840) and one return flight from India to the UK. Awards are made for the full duration of your fee liability for the agreed course.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for both the Indian and the non-Indian scholarship, the applicant must be applying to start a new, full-time master’s course or full-time DPhil course at Oxford. The applicant must not have previously studied a course at the same level as the course to which they are applying. You must be unable to take up your place at Oxford without financial assistance.
In addition, for the Indian scholarship, the following eligibility criteria apply:
- The applicant must be a national of and ordinarily resident in India;
- The applicant must have a first-class undergraduate or master’s degree from an Indian university;
- The applicant must not hold a degree from a university outside of India (this rule does not apply to study undertaken whilst in receipt of a Felix Scholarship); and
- The applicants are expected to return to India after completing your studies.
- Both scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic merit and financial need.
SELECTION/APPLICATION PROCEDURE
There is no separate application process: in order to be considered, the applicant must submit their application for graduate study by the relevant deadline for their course.
The details inserted by the applicant in the ‘Nationality and ordinary residence’ section of the graduate application form will be used to assess your nationality and country of ordinary residence.
The details inserted by the applicant in the Qualifications section of the graduate application form will be used to determine your previous education institutions.
To be eligible for consideration for this scholarship, applicants must be successful in being offered a place on their course after consideration of applications received by the relevant December/January deadline for the course. Course applications which are held over after the December/January deadline to be re-evaluated against applications received by the March deadline or course applications which have been put on a waiting list are not eligible for scholarship consideration.
Applicants who are shortlisted for the Indian scholarship may be asked to complete a short questionnaire before being invited for interview in India.
FULBRIGHT-NEHRU FELLOWSHIPS (USA) [2]
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP
The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships are designed for outstanding Indians to pursue a master’s degree program at select U.S. colleges and universities in the areas of Arts and Culture Management including Heritage Conservation and Museum Studies; Economics; Environmental Science/Studies; Higher Education Administration; International Affairs; International Legal Studies; Journalism and Mass Communication; Public Administration; Public Health; Urban and Regional Planning; and Women’s Studies/Gender Studies.
These fellowships are for highly motivated individuals who demonstrate leadership qualities, have completed the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree, have at least three years professional work experience, and are committed to return and contribute to their communities. The fellowships are for one to two years.
THE SCHOLARSHIP COVERS
The fellowship will provide J-1 visa support, round-trip economy class air travel from fellow’s home city to the host institution in the U.S., funding for tuition and fees, living and related costs, and accident and sickness coverage per U.S. Government guidelines. The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships provide no financial support for dependents.
ELIGIBILITY
The applicant must meet with the following General Prerequisites:
- Must be a responsible Indian citizen who can contribute to a full and fair picture of the culture and civilization of India, and thereby help to promote understanding and friendship between the peoples of the United States of America and India;
- Must not be residing in U.S. during recruitment and placement cycle;
- Indian citizens with active permanent resident status of foreign countries are not eligible to apply;
- Must have a high level of academic/professional achievement;
- Must demonstrate proficiency in the English language to undertake the proposed project/program and adjust to life in the U.S.;
- Must inform USIEF well in advance if the applicant needs to travel abroad (e.g., conference, fellowship etc.) during the application cycle;
- Must be eligible for leave, if employed;
- must be in good health;
- must not be applying for or holding permanent residence (green card) in the United States; and
- must give an undertaking to return to India on the completion of the fellowship.
In addition to the General Prerequisites, the applicants:
- must have completed an equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a recognized Indian university with at least 55% marks. Applicants must either possess a four-year bachelor’s degree or a completed master’s degree; or a full-time postgraduate diploma from a recognized Indian institution, if the bachelor’s degree is of less than four years’ duration;
- must have at least three years’ full-time (paid) professional work experience relevant to the proposed field of study by the application deadline;
- should demonstrate experience in leadership and community service;
- must not have another degree from a U.S. university or be enrolled in a U.S. degree program; and
- if employed, should follow the instructions carefully regarding employer’s endorsement. If applicable, obtain the endorsement from the appropriate administrative authority on the FNMasters Employer’s Endorsement Form. The employer must indicate that leave will be granted for the fellowship period. The applicant can download the FNMasters Employer’s Endorsement Form from the USIEF website.
Along with that, applications are invited only for the following fields:
- Arts and Culture Management including Heritage Conservation and Museum Studies;
- Economics;
- Environmental Science/Studies;
- Higher Education Administration;
- International Affairs;
- International Legal Studies;
- Journalism and Mass Communication;
- Public Administration;
- Public Health;
- Urban and Regional Planning; and
- Women’s Studies/ Gender Studies.
SELECTION/APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
- Applications must be submitted online at: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2023
- Applicants should carefully review the FNMaster’s Applicant Instructions before starting your online application.
- Applicants should refer to FNMaster’s Applicant Checklist before submitting the application.
- In addition, the applicant must complete and upload the following documents on your online application:
FNMaster’s Employer’s Endorsement Form (if applicable)
FNMaster’s Applicant Annexure.
THE OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE SOCIETY OF INDIA (OCSI) [3]
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP
The Oxford and Cambridge Society of India Scholarships are part-cost awards for undergraduate, second undergraduate, graduate study and research in any subject available at the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford, UK. The Oxford and Cambridge Society of India (OCSI) is a not-for-profit alumni organisation based in New Delhi, India. These scholarships were instituted by the Society over fifty years ago. Originally established as a purely social network of the Oxford and Cambridge alumni in Delhi, the Society transitioned into a more academic and educational support network in the 1960s, while continuing with its major role as an alumni body. Initially, the scholarships were a peripheral activity, but these soon became the most important aspect of the working of the society, which itself moved from a Delhi-base to an all-India role through the scholarships.
Institutions covered under this scholarship are:
- University of Cambridge, UK
- University of Oxford, UK
The scholarship programme includes the following study level:
- Research leading to the PhD degree;
- One-year post-graduate courses (e.g., MPhil, LLM, BCL, Diploma, CASM or Part III Maths, MBA, PGCE etc.);
- Taught and research-based Masters programmes of various durations (including M.Sc., engineering, medicine);
- Second Bachelor’s degree as an Affiliated Student/Senior Status; and
- Bachelor’s degree programme.
THE SCHOLARSHIP COVERS:
- The Oxford and Cambridge Society of India Scholarships offers an Equal Opportunity to all applicants
- Decisions are irrespective of race, colour, religion, disability, age (except for maximum age criterion), sex or ancestry.
- The OCSI scholarships worth INR 200,000 will be given to each of the following 2 scholarships holders tenable at either the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford.:
- OCSI K.K. Luthra Memorial Scholarship
- OCSI Anita Banerji Memorial Scholarship.
- 1 scholarship worth INR 100,000 tenable only at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge, from Emmanuel College Cambridge (India) Trust.
- 1 scholarship worth INR 100,000 tenable only at St. Hilda’s College, Oxford, from Ritika Dhamija.
- Candidates will receive a letter of support from OCSI for other scholarship awarding bodies.
- Candidates will receive complimentary life membership of the Oxford and Cambridge Society of India.
- Candidates will receive mentoring and guidance from a member of the OCSI.
ELIGIBILITY:
- Must be a citizen of India;
- Must be ordinarily resident in India;
- Must be not more than 30 years of age on 1 September of the year of application for the award;
- Must be a graduate of an Indian university if applying to a second undergraduate or for a post graduate course (applicants who are expected to graduate in the year of the award are also eligible to apply for the awards), or be from a school in India if applying for an undergraduate course;
- Must have applied for and secured admission to study a full-time course at the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford. Candidates are required to present proof of admission before grant of the scholarship, and proof of having taken up residence at Cambridge or Oxford before the scholarship’s funds are released;
- Must intend to pursue a course of study that is one of the following:
Research leading to the PhD degree; One-year post-graduate courses (e.g., MPhil, LLM, Diploma, CASM or Part III Maths, MBA, PGCE etc.); Taught and research-based Masters programmes of various durations (including M. Sc., engineering, medicine); Second Bachelor’s degree as an Affiliated Student/Senior Status; or Bachelor’s degree programme; and
- Must be admitted to the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford through the University’s normal academic procedures. OCSI cannot admit students or assist in this process.
SELECTION/APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of the candidate’s academic excellence, a good fit between the Scholar and the University, evidence of leadership potential and a commitment to improving the lives of others, particularly in India.
We will evaluate candidates based on three broad dimensions, namely, (1) soft skills; (2) hard skills; and (3) means.
(1) Soft skills: include presentation skills, clarity of thought and presentation, demeanour, confidence.
(2) Hard skills: The following criteria will be evaluated: (i) unique proposition in the field of study; (ii) impact on society in general; (iii) likely impact on India; (iv) consistent academic performance; and (v) extra curriculars.
(3) Financial means: Candidates may, on request, be required to give details of resources available to them with supporting documents. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of means and financial resources available to them. While means is not the overriding criteria, it will be given due deference while awarding any scholarship.
Candidates who are admitted to Oxford and Cambridge for any course may apply, including for undergraduate programmes. Individual scholarships may be limited to specific universities, colleges or courses which will be specified separately. However, while considering applications, preference will be given to candidates pursuing graduate and research-based programmes including post-doctoral research.
APPLICATION AND DECISION PROCESS
Application forms for OCSI scholarships will be available on the website of the Society by March every year.
Announcement of the OCSI scholarships will be sent to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the colleges of the two universities, the British Council and the British High Commission.
All completed applications must reach the Oxford and Cambridge Society of India by the requires tentative.
Candidates who are shortlisted for the interviews shall be informed by Mid-June every year.
The decision of the OCSI Scholarship Committee on the short-listing and selection of candidates shall be final. All short-listed candidates will be required to attend an interview with the OCSI scholarship committee as announced. Details with respect to the interview (whether virtual or physical) shall be available in due course. Award offers will normally be made to selected candidates as announced.
STIPENDIUM HUNGARIUM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME [4]
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP: The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme was launched in 2013 by the Hungarian Government. The main goal of the programme regarding the education policy is to support the internationalisation of Hungarian higher education and its constant development, to strengthen the international relations of the Hungarian academic and research community, to enhance the cultural diversity of higher education institutions and to promote the good reputation and competitiveness of Hungarian higher education throughout the world. The programme also aims to establish and encourage the personal and professional attachment of foreign graduates to Hungary and contribute to the promotion of Hungarian culture and language abroad.
The core mission of the programme is to increase the number of foreign students in Hungary and to encourage Hungarian higher education institutions to attract top foreign students. The programme is based on bilateral educational cooperation agreements signed between the Ministries responsible for education in the sending countries/territories and Hungary or between institutions. Currently nearly 70 Sending Partners are engaged in the programme on 5 different continents, and the geographical scope of the programme is spreading each year. The Programme is managed by Tempus Public Foundation.
THE SCHOLARSHIP COVERS: The scholarship programme covers the following:
- Tuition-free education;
- Monthly stipend: non-degree, bachelor’s, master’s and one-tier master’s level: monthly amount of HUF 43,700 (cca EUR 130) contribution to the living expenses in Hungary, for 12 months a year, until the completion of studies.
- Accommodation contribution: free dormitory place or a contribution of HUF 40,000/month to accommodation costs for the whole duration of the scholarship period (Please note that if the student does not live in the dormitory, the HUF 40,000/month is a contribution to those rental costs, and in bigger cities –especially in the capital city –this contribution would not cover the full amount of rental costs.)
- Medical insurance: health care services according to the relevant Hungarian legislation (Act LXXX of 1997, national health insurance card) and supplementary medical insurance for up to HUF 65,000 (cca EUR 195) a year/person.
ELIGIBILITY
The Stipendium Hungaricum Programme is based on effective bilateral educational cooperation agreements between the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade or its legal predecessor as regards the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme, the Ministry of Human Capacities, and the partner’s Ministry responsible for higher education. Applications will be considered eligible only if the applicant is nominated by the responsible authorities of the Sending Partner.
SELECTION/APPLICATION PROCEDURE
The candidates first need to create an applicant account by providing basic details such as name, email id, citizenship, mobile number, etc. Once the registration is complete and the account is created, the candidates can proceed towards providing details into the application form. In the application form, the candidates need to provide their personal, academic and other details as asked. Scanned copies of important documents also need to be uploaded into the form.
Choice for study programmes in the order of preferences should also be provided into the application form.
Application form completely filled in every respect can then be submitted by the applicants.
There is no need to send hard copies of application or any other document to the relevant authority.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS:
Other than the application form, the candidates are required to submit these documents in online mode as well:
- Motivation Letter
- Copy of Identification Document
- Medical Certificate
- Acceptance of Statement for Application in the online system
- Proof of language proficiency and their translations in the language of the selected study programme or in Hungarian
- School certificates and their translations in the language of the selected study programme or in Hungarian
- Transcript of Records and its translations in the language of the selected study programme or in Hungarian
SELECTION PROCESS:
Candidates who successfully submit their online applications in time will be considered for the selection and scholarship. Based on the applications, the Sending Partners will shortlist the best applicants. A list of such candidates will be prepared and forwarded to the different educational institutes. The universities will contact the shortlisted applicants to set a date for conducting entrance exams. Candidates who score above 56 marks out of 100 will be considered for the final list of scholarship awardees.
GLOBAL KOREA SCHOLARSHIP (GKS) PROGRAMME [5]
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP
The purpose of this scholarship programme is to provide international students with opportunities to conduct advanced studies in undergraduate and graduate programs at higher educational institutions in the Republic of Korea in order to promote international exchanges in education and mutual friendship between countries. Several top-ranked universities in Korea are covered under the GKS programme like: Seoul National University (SNU), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Yonsei University, Korea University (KU), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) and many more.
Two options are available in universities:
- UNDERGRADUATE COURSE: 4-year courses at designated universities and transferring between universities is not allowed.
- GRADUATE COURSE: Master’s or Ph.D. courses at general graduate schools of Korean universities.
THE SCHOLARSHIP COVERS
The scholarship has a number of benefits as the followings:
- AIRFARE: Actual cost.
- RESETTLEMENT ALLOWANCE: KRW 200,000 (Rs. 12,500 approx.)
- LIVING ALLOWANCE: 900,000 KRW- 1,000,000 KRW (Rs. 56,000- 62,000 approx.)
- MEDICAL INSURANCE: KRW 20,000 (per month) (Rs. 1250 approx.)
- LANGUAGE COURSES: KRW 800,000 per quarter (Rs. 50,000 approx.)
- TUITION FEES: Actual cost (No more than 5 million KRW per semester) (Rs. 3,12,000 approx.)
- AWARD FOR EXCELLENT KOREAN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: KRW 100,000 (Rs. 6300 approx.)
- RESEARCH SUPPORT: KRW 210,000- 240,000 (per semester) (Rs. 13,000- 15,000 approx.)
- PRINTING COSTS (Dissertation): KRW 500,000- 800,000 (Rs. 31,000- 50,000 approx.)
- COMPLETION GRANT: KRW 100,000 (once) (Rs. 6300 approx.)
ELIGIBILITY
The candidate must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for the scholarship:
- Both an applicant and his/her parents must be citizens of their origin country;
- Applicants should not hold Korean citizenship;
- Applicants should have adequate health, both mentally and physically, to stay in a foreign country for a long time;
- Should be under the age of 25 at the date of entrance for Undergraduate and should be under the age of 40 at the date of entrance for Graduate;
- Should have finished or be scheduled to finish formal education of all elementary, middle, high school courses by the date of arrival (Undergraduate);
- Should possess a GPA of above 80% from the last educational institution attended;
- Should hold a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree by the date of arrival; and
- Korea Language Training: Grantees are required to taken Korean language training courses for 1 year at a language institution located on-campus of the domestic universities. If a grantee has attained a Korean language fluency score higher than level 5 in TOPIK, he/she is exempt from this requirement.
SELECTION/APPLICATION PROCEDURE: NIIED invites the Korean Embassy in the invited country or a domestic university to recommend potential candidates. Applicants should submit all documents related to their scholarship application to the Korean Embassy in their country of residence to or the domestic university concerned.
The Korean Embassy or the domestic university sends proper candidates to NIIED with the required documents. NIIED evaluates potential candidates and notifies the Korean Embassy of the final selected KGSP grantees.
- Announcement released: For Undergraduate, September in the year prior to planned studies in Korea. For Graduate, February in the year of planned studies in Korea.
- Recommend candidates: For Undergraduate, October- November in the year prior to planned studies in Korea. For Graduate, March- April, in the year of planned studies in Korea.
- Results released: For Undergraduates, January in the year of planned studies. For Graduate, June in the year of planned studies in Korea.
- Arrival in Korea: For Undergraduate, late February in the year of planned studies. For Graduate, late August in the year of planned studies.
[1] https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/fees-and-funding/fees-funding-and-scholarship-search/felix-scholarships
[2] https://www.usief.org.in/Fulbright-Nehru-Fellowships.aspx
[3] http://www.oxbridgeindia.com/scholarships/ocsi-scholarship-guidelines/
[4] https://www.eoibudapest.gov.in/page/stipendium-hungaricum/
[5] https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/sub/gks/allnew_invite.do
YLCC would like to thank Riya Singh for her valuable insight in this article.
