TAMILNADU STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMME: 2015-16

Invite for Expression of Interest from UK Universities

British Council India invites expressions of interest from UK universities to host post graduate
students and faculty who are part of the Study Abroad programme funded by the Tamilnadu State
Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE), Department of Higher Education, Government of
Tamilnadu (India). The Programme, now in its third year, is facilitated by the British Council through
an agreement signed with Tamilnadu Government in December 2012.
As per the agreement, Tamilnadu government will fund 25 postgraduate students in physical, natural
and social Sciences, humanities, business, computer science, IT, management from public funded
state universities to spend one semester at UK universities starting September 2015. In addition,
Tamilnadu Government will also fund 5 faculty members to spend one month in the UK on faculty
development programme to enhance their teaching methodologies either at the beginning or at the
end of the semester.
British Council will select five UK universities to be part of the programme with each institution
potentially hosting 5 students and one faculty member subject to relevant disciplines and courses
being available at the UK institution. Selection will be done jointly by the Tamilnadu Government and
the British Council against pre-agreed criteria which includes - suitability of post graduate courses
offered in specified subjects, reputation of the university in teaching, international student experience
and commitment to engage, mentor and collaborate with the visiting faculty member from Tamilnadu
and course fee ceiling of 5000 for one semester. Students are selected based on academic merit,
but levels of English may not be very high. For this reason the universities eligibility criteria for
admission will have to be between 5.5-6.5 IELTS.
Each selected UK University will be expected to admit 5 students to the relevant post graduate
course and mentor one faculty member.
British Council will share the students academic records and the IELTS score with Universities
based on which the University will place students by 1st week of July.
Upon selection of students the Universities are required to send the online link to application and
also guidance notes on filling up the online form and statement of purpose.
Universities will have two weeks to process the application and issue the offer letter.
Offer letters by the Universities will have to be as per UKVI requirements
Universities will be required to provide pre-departure briefing and meet & greet service on arrival of
students.
While students are in the UK, international office of the University is expected to provide support by
overseeing their well-being and address any student welfare issues.
On completion of the semester, Universities will provide transcripts and standard credit transfer
certificates as per requirement by TANSCHE.
Within two week of placement of students, Universities need to raise invoice for fee and provide
receipt of payment to TANSCHE as required by them.
British Council will charge the host UK University 250 GBP per student/faculty to cover
administrative costs. Universities will make the required fee to British Council within 30 days of
invoice date in October.

TAMILNADU STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMME: 2015-16

Invite for Expression of Interest from UK Universities

Selected universities will sign a letter of agreement covering the terms of reference with British
Council.
Tentative Timeline of the programme:
Please note that the following timelines are indicative and might slightly vary based on progress.
S
No.
1
2
3
4
5

Activity
Communication of results to selected UK universities
Selected students apply to UK universities
Universities process application and send offer letters
UK universities confirm accommodation for students
Participate in pre-departure briefings

Timeline (tentative)
15 June
week commencing 6 July
week commencing 13 July
week commencing 20 July
week commencing 10 Aug

UK Universities interested in participating in the programme are requested to send their expression
of interest (EoI) to the British Council, in the attached format latest by Thursday, 11 June 2015 to
IHE.India@in.britishcouncil.org