NEW DELHI: King’s College London has invited Indian students to apply for its prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Awards, offering a £10,000 (approximately ₹11,26,000) fee waiver for post-graduate studies focused on creating a broader societal impact.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shitij Kapur, expressed pride in these scholarships, particularly as an Indian-origin academic who once left Delhi to pursue higher education abroad.
Highlighting King’s historic ties with India, Kapur noted that freedom fighter Sarojini Naidu was among the university’s early female alumni in the 19th century.
“King’s was one of the first UK universities to teach Sanskrit and Bengali, and Sarojini Naidu was one of our remarkable students from those pioneering days when women were first admitted,” he said.
Recognizing the financial barriers faced by Indian students, Kapur emphasized that the awards were introduced to support those who aspire to study in the UK but find tuition costs challenging.
Now in their second year, the awards will benefit 30 Indian students beginning full-time, on-campus post-graduate programs in London this September. Applicants must submit their course applications by the end of April.
“We are especially interested in students who will use their education at King’s to drive positive change in their communities,” Kapur said. “The selection process requires candidates not only to showcase their academic credentials but also to articulate how their journey at King’s aligns with their broader mission to make a difference.”
A graduate of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Kapur has studied and taught in the US, Canada, and Australia before assuming his current leadership role at King’s College London.
Reflecting on the growing Indian student diaspora, he projected a continued surge in demand for world-class education over the next 10-15 years.
Kapur also welcomed the establishment of international university campuses in India, citing institutions like the University of Southampton and the University of Surrey, which have recently confirmed their expansion plans.
“India’s need for top-tier university education is immense. I hope this growth leads to diverse offerings, ensuring students have a variety of choices in quality and affordability,” he remarked.
While King’s already has joint programs with select Indian universities, he hinted at the possibility of further collaborations in the future.
Discussing the UK’s two-year Graduate Route visa, which allows international students to gain work experience post-graduation, Kapur expressed confidence in its continuity.
“The government has not signaled any major threat to this visa. Discussions are mostly around setting a salary threshold for the skilled worker visa,” he said.
On the broader immigration debate, he underscored the need to separate international student data from overall immigration figures.
“The British public sees international students as a win-win. The challenge lies in distinguishing this issue from the larger discourse on overall immigration numbers,” he noted. “Monitoring is fine, but it should be done transparently and independently from other immigration statistics.”
With Indian students being a key focus for King’s College London, the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards reinforce the institution’s commitment to fostering global talent and driving meaningful societal change.
