Can I take my family with me?   

Yes. However, we advise most students:
- not to take their family with them (although this is a personal decision)
- only bring them to the UK for vacations
- give youself time to settle in the UK before inviting your family over for a holiday.

Important: Your family can travel only if your course is at least a year long.   

What is the DFID Shared Scholarship Scheme?   

This is a scheme funded by the Department for lnternational Development (DFID) and participating universities in the UK.

You can apply if you're:
- an academically able student
- from a developing Commonwealth country
- intending to study higher education in the UK
- under 35 years old at the time your course is due to start
- able to speak English fluently
- not studied in a developed country previously
- intending to study at a postgraduate level
- unable to pay for your course because financial reasons or can't apply for a British government support schemes.

Successful candidates must return to their home country after the Scholarship has finished.

If you're intending to complete undergraduate study, we'll only award you in exceptional circumstances and if the course you intend to study:
- satisfies the conditions of the scheme
- is not available in your home country or at a nearby regional institution.

The British institutions you can apply to vary year to year. An up-to-date list of institutions is normally available from December onwards from the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).

For more information, visit the Association of Commonwealth Universities website.   

What is the Overseas Research Students Awards Scheme (ORSAS)?   

This Scheme funded by the Department for Education and Skills (earlier known as Department for Education and Employment). It is administered by the Universities UK (earlier known as the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals or CVCP), and supports approximately 800 - 850 new Awards each year in the UK.

To apply for this Scheme you need to be:
- a full-time student
- studying at a postgraduate level
- registered as a research student at a UK university.

Selection of candidates is based solely on academic merit and research potential. Awards cover the difference between the home (UK) and overseas level of tuition fees only, and do not cover maintenance costs. They are initially only for one year, but if your progress is satisfactory, you can continue it for a second or third year.

To apply, you need to obtain an application form from the registrar or secretary of the UK institution you're currently enrolled at (or which has given provisional acceptance). Your application must be submitted, again through the university itself, usually by the end of the April before the next academic year.

General information only can be obtained by writing to:
The Secretary
ORS Office
Universities UK
Woburn House
20 Tavistock Square
London, WC1H 9HQ.  

If you'd like a list of academic institutions where the awards are available, go to your nearest ORS office or check the ORS website.

For more information, contact the British higher education institution that has accepted you (or provisionally accepted you) for your course, the ORSAS office at the Universities UK or email: ors_scheme@UniversitiesUK.ac.uk

What are Royal Society Fellowships?   

The Royal Society runs a scheme of research appointments within the UK and a series of programmes encouraging exchanges of information, dialogue and visits overseas. These Fellowships enable key postdoctoral scientists, from a selection of countries, to undertake research in the UK.

For more information, visit the Royal Society.   

What about undergraduate scholarships?   

More than sixty UK institutions offer bursaries and fee discounts as part of the Undergraduate and Vocational Scholarship Scheme (UVSS). You can collect a copy of the UVSS booklet from any British Council office or British Library. You can also refer to the websites or brochures of the UK institutions for details of any scholarships they offer.   

Are there any other scholarships that I can apply for?    

Yes. Look below to see if any of them interest you.

European Union (EU) Schemes
The European Union (EU) provides some grants to promote the exchange of students and academic staff within Europe, such as the SOCRATES and LEONARDO programmes. The European Commission (EC) also makes some awards to students from developing countries.

If you'd like more information, contact the EC office in your own country or write to the:
European Commission
Directorate General
Rue de la Loi 200
B-lO49 Brussels, Belgium.

For more information, visit the European Union website.

International agencies
Some international organisations such as UNESCO and WHO operate schemes, usually for developing countries. Contact your own government's Ministry of Education.

Voluntary organisations
Voluntary organisations such as religious bodies and charities sometimes award scholarships, though they can be limited in size and scope. Contact the appropriate organisations in your own country.

Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT) is one such organisation, which provides up to 50 grants to Indians annually for Indians in the field of arts and humanities.

Awards are made every year for study, research or professional experience in the UK in the fields of:
- visual or performing arts
- architectural and materials conservation
- museum studies
- curatorship
- English studies and humanities.

UK colleges and universities
Many UK institutions have a limited number of scholarships for international students. However, they may be restricted to students studying particular subjects or from certain countries. Contact the institution you are studying at to see if you are eligible.   

Are there any organisations that provide scholarships for study in the UK?   

These organisation/contacts do not award scholarships but can advise on the scholarships available for study in the UK.

Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
John Foster House
36 Gordon Square
London, WC 1H OPF
T: 44 (0)20 73806700
F: 44 (0)20 7387 2655
Website: www.csfp-online.org

The British Council
10 Spring Gardens
London, SW1A 2BN
T; +44 (0)20 7930 8466
F: +44 (0)20 7839 6347

Department for Education and Skills HE Branch
(Earlier known as the Department for Education and Employment)
International Students Team
Sanctuary Buildings
Great Smith Street
London SW 1P 3BT
T: 44 (0)20 7925 5339
F: 44 (0)20 7925 6965
(Advice about course fees for non-EEA nationals)

Department for Education and Skills
(Earlier known as the Department for Education and Employment)
Student Support Division
(Room 336)
Mowden Hall
Staindrop Road
Darlington DL3 9BG

T: 44 (0)1325 392 808/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/17
F: 44 (0)1325 392 464
(For undergraduate and discretionary grants)

T: 44 (0)1325 392 803-7
F: 44 (0)1325 392 464
(For postgraduate grants)

Royal Society
6 Carlton House Terrace
London SW1 Y SAG.
T: +44 (0)20 7839 5561
F: +44 (0)20 7930 2170

Student Awards Agency for Scotland
Gyleview House
3 Redheaughs Rigg
South Gyle
Edinburgh EH 12 9HH
T: 44 (0)131 476 8212
F: 44 (0)131 244 5887

Universities UK (earlier known as Committee of Vice-chancellors and Principals or
CVCP)
Woburn House
20 Tavistock Square
London WC 1H 9HQ
T: 44 (0)20 7419 4111
F: 44 (0)20 7388 8649    

Organisations in India   

The British Council
17, Kasturba Gandhi Marg
New Delhi - 110001
India
T: 91(0) 11 3711401
F: 91(0) 11 3710717

There are also other British Council Offices and Libraries locations in India

Ministry of Human Resources Development
Department of Secondary & Higher Education
External Scholarships Division
ES. 4 Section
A.1/W3, Curzon Road Barracks
Kasturba Gandhi Marg
New Delhi-110 001 India

University Grants Commission
Bahadurshah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110002
India
T: 91 (0) 11 3231273
F: 91 (0) 11 3231797