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If you are hoping for a scholarship to help pay your studies, then plan to start making enquiries and applications at least a year in advance. Most scholarships in the UK and Australia are available for postgraduate study and for research although there are a few for undergraduate study. The chances of securing a scholarship or bursary or major funding after arrival in the chosen country is minimal.
You can also get some information from your local Australian/British High Commission or the Department of Education in your own country. Many of the universities and colleges offer partial scholarships.
United Kingdom
UK universities are generally government funded which mostly means limited funds available for the university to disburse among students as bursaries and scholarships. Still most universities do have certain awards which are given to students based on their merits as well as performance during the course. Some of the UK universities also have special awards for Indian students besides the ones which individual departments may offer to students coming there to pursue their further studies. Another important source of scholarship are the British Government sponsored awards like the Chevening Scholarship Commonwealth Scholarship, DFID Scholarship. These are extremely competitive and the deadlines are much in advance of the session.
Canada
There are limited scholarships available in Canada but they rarely cover the full cost of a study program and they are not always easy to find. Scholarships are available to International students with exceptional results at some Canadian institutions. The amount awarded varies from one institution to another and usually covers only part of a student's education and living expenses. Obtaining a scholarship is very competitive and applications must be made directly to each university along with the application for admission. Community and Career Colleges do not usually award scholarships nor do school boards or most private schools.
Singapore
The Singapore Ministry of Education offers tuition grants to International students who opt for the grant have to Sign an agreement to work in Singapore for 3 years.
Bursaries are grants awarded to students usually given by school for amount of less than S$ 1500 per month . Scholarships are offered by big companies, charities and government. Such as Singapore Airlines (www.singaporeair.com), Association of common wealth Universities (www.acu.ac.uk), Rotary Foundation (www.rotary.org), University Scholarship: NUS Undergraduate Scholarship, Asean Undergraduate Scholarship, NTU Undergraduate Scholarship etc.
Australia
Most international students study in Australia on a full fee paying basis. There are, however, students undertaking postgraduate research in areas of particular concern to Australia who may apply for an Overseas Postgraduate Research Scholarships (OPRS). There are around 300 scholarships offered yearly to students from around the world Individual universities occasionally offer scholarships or research grants for outstanding students. Australian Government has an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) scheme for postgraduate research students. Many Australian institutions offer their own scholarships. For details, refer to the institution's handbooks, contact the institutions directly.
New Zeland
Scholarships offered by the New Zealand Government for Students from developing countries. These Overseas Development Assistance (NZODA) Postgraduate Scholarships cover airfares, accommodation and living expenses, as well as tuition fees. Please note that the number of scholarships awarded are very limited, and only students with exceptional grades will be considered. Application forms are available from the University International Centre or your New Zealand Diplomatic post.
NZAID (New Zealand's International Aid and Development Agency) is New Zealand's agency responsible for international assistance to developing countries. NZAID support for basic, post basic and tertiary education includes financial & technical assistance to strengthen existing higher education institutes and system and the provision of scholarship for study in home country, regional and New Zealand institutions. NZDAS, the programe under NZAID are for full time multi year courses in New Zealand for tertiary level studies through the public and open category. NZDS scheme covers tuition, orientation fees, economy fare, travel, a basic living allowance with the provision for accommodation expenses (paid through study institutes). Students from India can apply for NZDS open (via universities) categories.
IELTS
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the mandatory tests required to be taken for admission in Australian Universities (at any level). Earlier, TOEFL was also accepted. IELTS is also a must for obtaining the Australian visa.
With effect from 1st March 2002, all the universities in Australia require only IELTS score in place of TOEFL. This test is also an alternative test to TOEFL for admission into UK, Canadian and New Zealand universities.
All candidates have to take the same Listening and Speaking Modules. If you are planning to undertake academic study it is recommended that you sit for the Academic Reading and Writing Modules. If you are planning to undertake non-academic training or apply for immigration to Australia or New Zealand it is recommended that you sit for the General Training Reading and Writing. The IELTS exams contains four sections:
- Listening - 30 Minutes
- Reading - 60 Minutes
- Writing two essays - 60 Minutes
- Speaking - 10 - 15 Minutes
TOEFL
Test of English as a Foreign Language is a Standardized test that evaluates the English Proficiency of people whose native language is not English.
TOEFL is a mandatory test to be taken for admission to any course in the USA and Canada. Some universities in the UK and New Zealand also accept the TOEFL score.
TOEFL measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand North American English as it is spoken, written, and heard in college and universities. In India the test is available in computer based format.
The TOEFL is developed and administered by the US-based "Educational Testing Service" (ETS). For the conduct of the test, ETS has appointed Testing Agencies in various countries, which act as franchisee for ETS. In India, this agency is the "Sylvan Testing Services Pvt Ltd" which administers the test at 9 centers in the country : Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Trivandrum. Computer based TOEFL is held all-round-the-year.The test is administered in the above cities five-days-a-week (Monday through Friday), twice-a-day. Registering at least three days in advance is mandatory.
The computer-based TOEFL test has four sections:
a) Listening section : ( 30 - 50 quetions, Duration: 40 - 60 min )
Listening section measures the ability of the test taker to understand spoken English.
b) Structure section : ( 20 - 25 questions, Duration: 15 - 20 min )
Structure section measures the ability of the test taker to recognize standard written English.
c) Reading section : ( 44 - 60 questions, Duration: 70 - 90 min )
Reading section measures the ability of the test taker to understand short passages that are similar to the formats used in the academic texts.
d) Writing section : ( 1 Essay, Duration: 30 min )
Writing section measures the ability of the test taker to write in English on the given topic.
e) A good score in TOEFL plays a key role in admission as well as in obtaining financial aid in the form of teaching assistantships. The higher the score, the brighter are one’s chances with most U.S and Canadian universities. Maximizing the score thus becomes the key. |
