British Council Scholarships: An Overview

What is British Council? 

British Council is an organisation from the UK spreading knowledge about the United Kingdom and specialising in international cultural and educational opportunities. It is a public organisation funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. They work in more than 100 countries and promote the english language and the culture, scientific and technological understanding in the United Kingdom. The British Council also conducts face-to-face classes for the english language. They also conduct the IELTS globally with the University of Cambridge for IDP education in Australia. 

What Type of Scholarships does the British Council offer?

The British Council offers many scholarships. Here are a few in the Global Scholarships, Country Specific Scholarships and Science and Research scholarships categories. 

Global scholarships

1. A.S. Hornby Trust Scholarship

The A.S. Hornby Trust Scholarship is the master's degree scholarship awarded to teachers and professionals who are creating an impact and enhancing the field of english language teaching in their home countries. Ten scholarships are awarded to students from low or middle-income countries who meet the criteria for the University of Exeter program of MEd TESOL. This scholarship is only awarded to students who want to study at the University of Exeter for their MEd TESOL program. A student is given a full fee waiver, and a minimum maintenance payment of  £15,000 is awarded to the scholarship recipient. 

2. Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan

Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded to individuals who aim to impact the world and have the potential to bring positive change on a global scale. These scholarships and fellowship plans are only awarded to recipients who are from Commonwealth countries. There are 800 awards for the recipients of this scholarship, and they are awarded a fully funded scholarship where their tuition fees are paid for, and their travel and housing costs are covered too. These scholarships are for postgraduate students with the mettle to bring positive change and become future leaders and innovators. The criteria for application is that a student should be a permanent resident of a commonwealth country and can not afford to study in the UK.

3. GREAT Scholarships

GREAT Scholarships award students a total of £10,000 towards their postgraduate study of one year in the UK. There are a total of 108 scholarships, and a student can choose between one of them which suits their needs. Every scholarship is funded by the UK government's GREAT Britain campaign and British Council scholarship. These scholarships are for postgraduate students who can join a course in one of the many universities that have tied up with the GREAT Britain campaign and British Council scholarship. These scholarships are purely merit-based and are college-specific.  

4. British Council scholarships for women in STEM

STEM Scholarships are awarded to women who have degrees in STEM subjects and are willing to do postgraduate study and fellowships in the same. The British Council Stem Scholarship helps women get into the STEM fields. The British Council Stem Scholarship winners are awarded with tuition fees, stipends, travel costs, visa and health coverage fees. Mothers are awarded an extra stipend to help care for the child, and every award winner is also given english language assistance if required. The winners can get admission into the top colleges in the UK, which helps them find better future opportunities. The British council women in stem are one of the important scholarships for women to achieve their academic heights in their STEM fields. The British Council Stem Scholarship helps them achieve this and prove many points to the world. 

5. Global Wales Scholarships for International Students

The Global Wales Scholarships for International Students is a scholarship for students from North America, India, Vietnam and EU countries. This scholarship permits students to study at the prestigious University of Wales. There are 4 Scholarships included in the Global Wales Scholarships for International Students. It also includes the Chevening Scholarships, which permit students to study at any university they want in the UK. The benefit of this scholarship is that every university has its own scholarship and has special fee waivers for students. 

Country-specific scholarships

1. Young Cell Scheme

The Young Cell Scheme is a scholarship co-funded by the European Union and the Government of Kosovo. This scholarship is managed by the EU office in Kosovo, and it is implemented by the  Consortium of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Institute National du Service Public, France. There are a total of 45 scholarships in the Young Cell Scheme. It covers sectors like Law, Public Administration and Good Governance, Economics and Finance, Energy and Environment and Internationally Relations and Diplomacy. The Young Cell Scheme was launched in 2004, and it offers young Kosovar students from diverse backgrounds to study at top universities in EU Member States.

2. Charles Wallace Trusts

This trust was set up by Charles Wallace, a businessman and entrepreneur who flourished in India in the late 19th Century. After he passed away, his estate was distributed between the British Treasury and the Treasury of British India. His estate was later turned into a grant between 4 countries which were previously occupied by the British. The only purpose of setting up this trust was to help students from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar to receive education in the United Kingdom. All award winners receive accommodation and living costs in the UK, fees and a contribution to international fares. However, the grant does not cover two-year courses in the UK. 

3. Marshall Scholarship 

The Marshall Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships in the US. It was created by the Parliament of the United Kingdom to strengthen the ties between the UK and the USA. The generosity of Secretary of State George C. Marshall and the Marshall Plan in the wake of World War II. This scholarship was created to strengthen the special bond between USA and UK. This Scholarship has over 1900 noted alumni who were deans, notable professors and ambassadors. The selection process is done by eight major embassies around the united states. The selection committee consists of former scholars and other distinguished individuals. The students who apply must be good in multiple aspects and undergo multiple selection processes. Only 46 Students are selected from the whole United States. 

Science and research funding

1. Marshall Sherfield Fellowships

The Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission is offering one postdoctoral Marshall Sherfield Fellowship. The selected students have to be citizens of the United States of America. They also need to have a doctoral degree in science or engineering subjects. The students who get awarded with the Marshall Sherfield Fellowship will get a laboratory fee airfare to the United Kingdom and return on the expiry of the Fellowship. They will also receive a stipend for housing and maintenance. 

2. Royal Society grants

The Royal Society Grants are grants offered for fellowships in STEM subjects. The winners of this fellowship receive a payment every year. Applicants can request £4,000 for each year, up to a total of £16,000 for research expenses over four years. The applicants must have a PhD in their subject. Applicants also must hold a permanent post or have an ‘open-ended contract’ in either a university, not-for-profit research organisation or industry in the UK.