The Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarship is a prestigious funding opportunity to support exceptional Indian students who wish to pursue higher education in the United Kingdom. This scholarship is named after India’s former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh who is an esteemed economist and scholar. This scholarship recognises academic brilliance and leadership potential. It is particularly suited for those aspiring to specialise in areas that align with Dr Singh’s vision of global economic and social development. Read on to find out all the details about Dr. Manmohan Singh scholarship.
What is Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarship?
The Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarship is a prestigious program established by St. John’s College, University of Cambridge, to support exceptional Indian students pursuing doctoral studies in the UK. It is named after India’s former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh who is an accomplished economist and Cambridge alumnus. The scholarship focuses on disciplines such as Economics, Science & Technology, and Social Sciences. It is one of the best scholarships to study in UK. It provides full financial coverage, including tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and other allowances, to empower academically brilliant and socially committed individuals.
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Benefits of the Scholarship
The Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarship provides extensive financial and logistical support to Indian students pursuing PhD programs at the University of Cambridge. This makes it one of the most preferred funding opportunities. Check some major benefits of Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarship below:
- It covers the entire cost of the doctoral program so that the students can focus entirely on their research without financial stress.
- It offers a generous stipend to cover accommodation, meals, and other day-to-day expenses, allowing students to live comfortably in the UK.
- The scholarship also funds round-trip airfare between India and the UK, reducing the financial burden of international travel.
- It includes coverage for visa applications, health insurance, and access to academic resources like books and research materials.
Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
The Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarship is a highly competitive program that seeks to identify and support academically outstanding Indian students. To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- The applicant must be an Indian national holding a valid Indian passport and currently residing in India.
- Candidates should be under 35 years of age by the end of December of the year before commencing their doctoral program at the University of Cambridge.
- Applicants should not have had significant exposure to UK education or received funding from the UK government previously.
- A Master’s degree (postgraduate) in the relevant subject or field is required and awarded by a reputable or recognised Indian university or institution.
- Both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) degrees must have been completed with a First-Class distinction.
- Candidates must demonstrate strong leadership qualities, assessed through personal statements highlighting extracurricular achievements, contributions to society, impactful initiatives, or participation in relevant academic forums such as symposia or peer-reviewed publications in their area of expertise.
- Applicants should have a clear intent to pursue and must have identified a full-time Doctoral Research program at the University of Cambridge that aligns with their academic and professional aspirations.
- Fluency in both spoken and written English is essential.
- The candidate must also meet any specific admission requirements established by the University of Cambridge for the chosen program.
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Application Process
The application process for the Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarship involves multiple detailed steps, requiring applicants to carefully coordinate their admission to the University of Cambridge and their scholarship application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to identify and apply for a suitable doctoral program and supervisor at Cambridge. Candidates must also align their college preferences and funding applications to meet the scholarship requirements. Check the steps involved in applying for Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarship below:
- Identify a Doctoral Program and Supervisor: Research and choose a suitable PhD program and supervisor at the University of Cambridge based on your academic interests.
- Apply to the University: Submit a formal application via the Cambridge Graduate Admissions Office website i.e. www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk.
- Select St John’s College: Choose St John’s College as your first-choice college on the application form.
- Indicate Scholarship Interest: While filling out the Graduate Application Form, indicate your intent to apply for the Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarship (if prompted) and complete the funding section.
- Notify St John’s College: Complete the online College Application form for the scholarship on the St John’s College website, ensuring it is submitted by January 15.
Note that only candidates who secure an offer of admission from St John’s College will be eligible for the scholarship. At this stage, applicants must not approach the college directly.
Selection Process for Dr Manmohan Scholarship
The selection process for these prestigious scholarships is a rigorous and competitive procedure designed to identify the most deserving and qualified candidates. Check the steps involved in the selection process for Dr Manmohan Scholarship:
Application Screening
The process begins with an initial screening of all applications received. During this phase, the scholarship committee evaluates each application against the eligibility criteria and assesses the academic achievements, leadership qualities, and research potential of the applicants. Only those who meet the criteria and demonstrate exceptional promise are shortlisted for the next stage.
Personal Interviews
Shortlisted candidates are invited to participate in personal interviews, which are conducted virtually via Skype. These interviews provide an opportunity for candidates to present their academic and professional accomplishments, articulate their research goals, and demonstrate their suitability for the scholarship. The interviews also allow the selection committee to assess the candidates’ communication skills, clarity of thought, and motivation to pursue their Doctoral Research at the University of Cambridge.
Final Selection
Following the interviews, the selection committee deliberates and identifies the required number of candidates to be awarded the scholarships. The decision-making process is thorough, ensuring that only the most outstanding candidates are selected. The decisions of the selection committee are final and binding.
Communication of Results:
The final results of the selection process are communicated to the candidates within one month of the interview. Successful applicants are notified of their selection and provided with detailed instructions for the next steps.
Pre-Departure Support:
Once the candidates are selected, St John’s College coordinates pre-departure briefings to ensure a smooth transition to the UK. The college also assists with UK visa applications, travel arrangements, and other essential preparations, ensuring that the selected candidates are fully equipped to embark on their academic journey at the University of Cambridge.
What After Selection?
St John’s College will confirm the receipt of applications via the email addresses provided on the College application form. Applicants are advised to ensure that their most up-to-date email addresses are submitted. However, the College cannot be held responsible for any issues related to the failure of online delivery. Check more details below:
- Only applicants who advance to the later stages of the University’s selection process will be contacted by St John’s College.
- These candidates will be requested to submit additional documentation to further support their application.
- Both this additional information and the details provided on the Graduate Application Form will be used to create the shortlist.
- Short-listed candidates will be invited to attend interviews, which will be conducted via Skype. Applicants are kindly asked not to contact St John’s College directly regarding the selection process.
- Interviews will take place between April and June, and short-listed candidates will be responsible for making their own travel and accommodation arrangements, should they be required.
FAQs
The Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarship is a funding program for Indian students pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Cambridge. It is named after India’s former Prime Minister and Cambridge alumnus, Dr. Manmohan Singh.
The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, round-trip airfare, health insurance, visa applications, and academic resources.
Applicants must be Indian nationals under 35, have a Master’s degree with First-Class distinction, demonstrate leadership potential, and meet specific program admission requirements at Cambridge.
No, applicants should not have had significant exposure to UK education or received UK government funding.
Applicants must apply for a PhD program at Cambridge, select St. John’s College, and complete the scholarship application form on the St. John’s website by January 15.
No, applicants should not contact St. John’s College directly regarding the scholarship application.
The selection involves an application screening, virtual interviews, and final selection by the committee based on academic achievements, leadership potential, and research goals.
Shortlisted candidates are invited for interviews via Skype, where they present their accomplishments and research goals.
Successful candidates are notified within one month of the interview.
St. John’s College provides pre-departure support, including visa assistance and travel arrangements.
Yes, but you must ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for each program.
Yes, only those who receive an offer of admission from St. John’s College are eligible for the scholarship.
You will need to submit a complete application to the University of Cambridge and the St. John’s College scholarship form, including details about your academic background, research interests, and leadership experience.
No, it focuses on Economics, Science & Technology, and Social Sciences.
If you are not selected, you can still pursue your PhD at Cambridge through other funding options, but you will not receive the financial benefits of this scholarship.
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