OCSI scholarships present an opportunity for India students to undertake a degree program in the UK beginning 2021-22 academic year.
The Oxford and Cambridge Society of India (OCSI) is a not-for-profit alumni organisation based in New Delhi, India.
These scholarships awarded by OCSI are open to students studying for a bachelor’s degree, masters, or PhD program at selected universities in UK.
What’s the value of this award?
This scholarship include any one of the following.
A. OCSI scholarship worth INR 200,000 (Rupees Two Lacs) in each of the following two scholarships:
- OCSI K.K. Luthra Memorial Scholarship and
- OCSI Anita Banerji Memorial Scholarship
Both to be taken at either the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford.
B. One scholarship worth INR 100,000 (Rupees One Lac) to be taken only at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge, from Emmanuel College Cambridge (India) Trust.
C. One scholarship worth INR 100,000 (Rupees One Lac) tenable only at St. Hilda’s College, Oxford, from Ritika Dhamija.
Can I know more about OCSI scholarship?
i. The scholarship is provided by the Oxford and Cambridge Society of India (OCSI).
ii. OCSI scholarship is open to students studying at undergraduate, postgraduate and research level.
iii. These scholarships are awarded annually. OCSI raise funds that are made available each year to fund these scholarships.
In 2019, OCSI awarded five (5) scholarships of Rs. 2,25,000 (Rupees Two Lacs Twenty-Five Thousand) each.
v. Candidates for this scholarship will be eligible for any additional grants as well.
Which programs are covered?
All undergraduate, graduate, and research courses available at the University of Cambridge and University of Oxford, UK are eligible for funding.
Which Nationalities are eligible?
OCSI scholarship is open to Indian students only.
Am I eligible?
To be considered for OCSI scholarship, you must:
1. Be a citizen of/ and resident in India.
2. Not more than 30 years old by 1 September of the application year.
3. Be a graduate of an Indian university if applying to a second undergraduate or for a post graduate course.
OR
Be from a school in India if applying for an undergraduate course.
Applicants who are expected to graduate in the year of the award can also apply for this scholarship.
4. Have applied for and gotten admission to study a full-time course at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge.
In fact you are required to present proof of admission before you are awarded this scholarship.
And proof that you have taken up residence at Oxford or Cambridge UK before the scholarships funds are released to you.
5. Intend to study a course that falls into any ONE of the following categories:
- Bachelors degree programme;
- Research leading to a PhD degree;
- One-year post-graduate course (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 Bachelors degree as an Affiliated Student/Senior Status.
6. Be admitted to the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford through the University’s normal academic procedures.
That is, not through any other way. Therefore, OCSI have no involvement in the admission process.
Are there any selection criteria for this scholarship?
OCSI evaluate candidates based on three factors;
- Soft skills;
- Hard skills; and
- Financial means.
Soft skills include presentation skills, clarity of thought and presentation, demeanour, confidence.
Hard skills include unique proposition in the field of study; impact on society in general; likely impact on India; consistent academic performance; and extra curricular activities.
Financial means include you being required to give details of resources available to you with proof of documents.
Though finance is not a primary criteria, it will be considered when awarding this scholarship.
How do I apply?
The OCSI scholarship process for 2021-22 academic year will commence by March 2021.
Moreover, OCSI scholarship application forms will be available on OCSI website by March.
When’s the deadline?
Closing date for submission of all completed application form for OCSI scholarship is June, 2021.
When will I learn of a decision?
You will be notified in June 2021 if you are shortlisted for the scholarship interview.
All short-listed candidates will be required to attend an interview by video conference with the OCSI scholarship committee by July 2021.
While selected candidates will be awarded the scholarship by 31 July, 2021. For full terms and conditions, please refer to their website.
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