UK unveils scholarship plan

Chinese students with their counterparts from across the globe in Britain. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Chinese students who are applying for postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom will have a new opportunity to receive financial support.

The British Council, together with 31 universities in the UK, has recently unveiled the Great Scholarships 2018－China campaign, with a total value of nearly 1 million pounds ($1.33 million).

The 31 institutions across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will offer 150 postgraduate scholarships ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 pounds in fields such as engineering, law and biosciences.

Scholarships will not be awarded in the form of cash, but will be presented directly as tuition fee waivers.

Chinese students can find more information on the scholarships on the individual websites of the universities involved.

Once they receive admission from participating universities for the autumn semester in 2018, they can then apply for the scholarships online.

The value and number of scholarships offered at each university vary, as do the types of courses available.

Individual universities will use different criteria to select the final candidates, whether it be their academic ability or social contribution, depending on the courses.

According to the British Council, from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, about 82,000 study visas were issued to Chinese students, and 97 percent of those who applied were successful. It represented an increase of 17 percent in applications compared with the previous 12 months.

In the 2015-2016 academic year, about 154,000 students from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao were enrolled at UK universities.

"The UK is confident of its world-class education system and is committed to ensuring that all international students enjoy a diverse learning experience," says Jazreel Goh, director of education marketing at the British Council in China.

"An education in the UK will teach you how to think, not what to think. The skill will help you improve yourself. Those who have studied in the UK bring back three things－individuality, inspiration and creativity," she says.

According to Goh, students should not focus solely on the rankings of the UK universities when making their applications, but should consider their own interests and personalities.

Many Chinese graduates return to China for work due to the favorable development and work opportunities, Goh says.

The British Council organizes two job fairs every year for them.