British Council today launched the GREAT Scholarship and GREAT Career Guide in Kolkata as a part of the ‘GREAT BRITAIN’ campaign (“GREAT”). This launch was announced at an exclusive Education UK exhibition hosted today at The ITC Sonar, Kolkata for students who want to know more about education and living in the UK. In an endeavour to invite the brightest talent from India to study in the UK, British Council has announced the single largest number of scholarships ever launched in India, by offering around 370 scholarships worth almost 1 million pounds. British Council has also launched the GREAT Career Guide that features articles about popular subjects that Indian students choose to study in the UK and opportunities available after study. Launched in February 2012, GREAT is a strategic international marketing programme designed to promote the UK to business, tourism and student markets worldwide in order to enhance the country’s global reputation.
The UK has been welcoming international students for over a century, with a global reputation for excellence in the field of education and skills. The UK welcomes over 400,000 overseas students to their institutions annually, of which almost 30,000 are from India.

GREAT Scholarships

Student Mobility is critical for cultural relations. The mutual movement of people and ideas between India and the UK helps create the condition for more creativity, innovation and enterprise. The British Council is working with partners across Government in the GREAT Campaign, promoting the UK as a destination to study. The GREAT scholarships would entail:
• Around 370 scholarships worth almost 1 million pounds (approx. 100 million rupees) on offer
• Scholarships will be offered for 260 undergraduate and postgraduate courses ranging from Engineering, Law and Business to Art & Design, Biosciences and IT
• 36 UK institutions across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are participating in this programme
• Scholarships will be tenable for Sept 2014 and Jan 2015 intakes

GREAT Career Guide

As international experience is becoming more significant for employers in a globalised economy, Indian students are opting for overseas education in high numbers. These students have numerous concerns critical to their education and career which need to be addressed carefully. The British Council – GREAT Career Guide addresses the same through the following:
• Success stories of alumni
• Contributory articles from UK university careers advisors
• Articles of popular subjects that students choose to study by UK institutions
• Tips that Indian students should keep in mind when looking for work options after graduating

For more information please contact:
Indranil Ghosh | indranil.ghosh@in.britishcouncil.org
Senior Manager, Education (East India) British Council, Kolkata
http://www.knowledgeisgreat.in

Seminar schedule
Seminar Time
MBA in the UK 3.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.
Student Visas 4.00 p.m. – 5.00 pm
IT and Engineering Courses 5.00 pm – 6.00 pm
Law 6.00 pm – 7.00 pm

List of participating universities
Sr. nos.Name of the Institution
1. University of the Arts London
2. Aston University
3. Cardiff University
4. City College Plymouth
5. University for the Creative Arts
6. Coventry University
7. De Montfort University
8. University of Exeter
9. Falmouth University
10. Leeds Metropolitan University
11. University Of Leeds
12. Liverpool John Moores University
13. Le Cordon Bleu
14. London South Bank University
15. University College London
16. Manchester Metropolitan University
17. The University of Manchester
18. Middlesex University
19. The University of Northampton
20. Northumbria University
21. The University of Nottingham
22. University of Plymouth
23. University of Portsmouth
24. Queen Mary, University of London
25. University of Salford
26. SOAS, University of London
27. Sheffield Hallam University
28. University of South Wales
29. University of Strathclyde
30. University of Surrey
31. University of Sussex
32. University Of Ulster London And Birmingham Branch Campuses
33. University of Warwick

Online resources

Education UK website
A comprehensive website aimed solely at the Indian students –with a searchable course database of more than 450,000 courses, information on visa procedures, stories from alumni, scholarship information and lots of advice for potential students and their families - http://www.educationuk.org/india/

For advice about the quality of teaching and research in UK higher education institutions students should consult the following official resources - for subject and institution reviews visit www.unistats.ac.uk and for research ratings visit www.rae.ac.uk

The UK is very competitive — both for tuition fees and living costs — according to a study by the UK Higher Education International Unit published recently. Eight out of 10 higher education students in UK also give their courses top marks, finds a survey published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England in August 2011. You can find out more on www.hefce.ac.uk/news/hefce/2011/nss.htm

International students with a recognised degree from a UK Institution may also be able to apply for visa to work in the UK as per the announcement on ‘Exceptional talent route’ and ‘New student entrepreneurs’ scheme. You can find more on www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/countries/india

The ‘GREAT Britain’ Campaign

The ‘GREAT Britain’ campaign (“GREAT”) is a strategic international marketing programme designed to promote the UK to business, tourism and student markets worldwide in order to enhance the country’s global reputation and deliver long-term economic benefits. GREAT was officially launched in February 2012.
• For world class education and training, with more than 30 of the world’s top 200 universities, choose the UK
• International graduates of British Universities significantly improve their career prospects and earning potential. Study in the UK and enjoy the rewards
• For a world class teaching experience, with graduate and post graduate satisfaction at 90%, study in the UK
• For the highest number of top MBA courses in Europe and one of the best places to study business, choose the UK

The British Council
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. It aims to build mutually beneficial relationships between people in the UK and other countries and increase appreciation of the UK’s creative ideas and achievements. The British Council is active in 109 countries and 227 towns and cities worldwide.


Media Contact
Indranil Ghosh
911244410800