The Study India Programme was designed to encourage undergraduate students at UK HE and FE institutions to consider India as a place for further study, work or travel. It was set up in recognition that we live in an increasingly global economy and that UK students need to be more international in their outlook. The two programmes in Mumbai and Delhi gave students an intensive cultural immersion experience. King's College London and University of Birmingham work in partnership to plan run and manage the Study India Programme for 2009 and 2010. Partnerships were established with HR College of Economics and Commerce, Mumbai and University of Delhi to run the programmes.

This programme facilitated travel for 393 undergraduates from universities across the UK to spend 3 weeks in India. Each year selected UK students took part in the programme to understand, learn and experience various facets of India.

This three week programme included cultural and historical excursions, educational visits, entertainment & leisure tours, etc. The period of the stay in India was divided into three phases.

Phase/Week 1: Lectures & Visits
Phase/Week 2: Internship

Phase/Week 3: Peer interactions & sessions at Indian Universities.

The UK students also did a week long internship in leading business houses and non profits organizations, thereby getting a first hand experience of the work culture in India.

Momentum for Study India increased in the second year, with an increase in recognition of the programme by Universities and FE colleges with 17% of students receiving funding for flights or visas from their own institution for participation in the programme. Applications increased from 900 to 1300 and students from 99 universities and 11 FE Colleges competed for 200 places in comparison to 60 UK universities in the first year.

Chief benefit to UKIERI of the SIP programme was towards contributing to a wider understanding of the differences – as well as the similarities – between the UK and India, which has led to some high quality groundwork on the shape of future programmes.

Click here to view UKIERI Phase One Case Studies