GENERATION UK-INDIA
British Council Generation UK India: 2014-2020 Overview
The British Council is proposing to work with partners to create a new large scale programme called Generation UKIndia starting in 2015-16, which aims to support up to 25,000 young people from the UK to gain skills and experience
in India over the next 5 years. Our vision is to create a more globally competitive UK workforce, strengthen cultural
understanding between the two nations and create a step change in the outward mobility paradigm between UK and
India.
The idea for this programme grew from the successful Generation UK initiative in China, builds on the UKIERI Study
India programme and aligns with government strategy to increase outward mobility among young people in the UK.
ANTICIPATED BENEFITS
 Greater numbers of young people from the UK undertaking placements in India
 Internationalisation of UK young people and Indian organisations with the creation of lasting connections
between programme participants and their counterparts that will be the basis for future collaboration
 Stronger links and partnerships built between the UK and India with increased understanding and
engagement.
 Enhanced skills and experience amongst young people in the UK supporting a more competitive UK
workforce
 Supporting the reduction of current major obstacles to outward mobility by creating a programme that is
accessible to applicants from diverse backgrounds
KEY ACTIVITY
This programme aims to support increased mobility to India by raising awareness of the benefits, offering support to
institutions and individuals interested in pursuing opportunities in India and creating a programme of placements to
increase the options for potential participants. Details are still being finalised so may be subject to change but
placements will include:
Strand
Cultural
Immersion
placements
Teaching
Assistant
placements
Work
placements
Think India
Overview
Two week residential summer placements split across a university and a workplace offering
participants the chance to experience how these institutions work in India and engage with peers to
build an understanding of and connection with India.
Potential audience: students over 18 currently studying at FE and HE institutions.
Costs: At present it is expected that the participant would pay for flights, travel, visa and vaccinations.
Included: Accommodation and subsistence in India would be covered as well as briefing sessions
and welfare support during the placement.
Teaching placements in Indian private schools teaching a range of subjects including English and
offering participants the chance to develop their teaching skills and share knowledge about UK
culture.
Two placements lengths:
1) Summer placements 2-3 months
2) Longer placements 6 months
Potential audience: university students and graduates
Costs: At present it is expected that the participant would pay for flights, travel, visa, vaccinations and
a child protection check as well as a £200 placement fee. Included: Accommodation and subsistence
in India would be covered and participants would receive a stipend from the school dependent on
experience (approx.. £150-£350/month). Briefings, welfare support and some teacher training would
also be included.
Facilitate work experience with Indian organisations to help the young participants prepare for 21st
century careers and boost their employability.
Length of internships: 2-12 months
Potential audience: over 18 years old
Costs: At present it is expected that the participant would pay for flights, travel, visa and vaccinations.
Included: Accommodation and subsistence in India would be covered along with a contribution
towards costs where possible in line with visa restrictions. This might vary from company to company
and depending on the length of the placement. Briefings and welfare support during the placement
would be also be included.
Alongside these three placement strands Generation UK-India will also aim to increase engagement
and participation in placements in India through the following activity:
 providing advice, information and support on studying and working in India on our Generation
UK-India website
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encouraging UK institutions and organisations to consider India as a destination for their
students and/or staff to gain experience e.g. universities looking for work placements or
corporates planning their graduate scheme programmes
offering access to pastoral support (pre-departure briefings, online training, day to day contact
etc.) from the British Council and our partners for UK participants going to India through
existing partnerships e.g. university partnerships or corporate graduate schemes
working with our alumni network to engage with future generations and encourage them to
undertake placements in India
Supporting institutions to build links with organisations in India for future partnership and
collaboration.
TARGETS
Generation UK-India aims to support up to 25,000 UK students to participate in placements in India between 2015 and
2020 by creating opportunities and also supporting existing opportunities to increase their numbers.
UK MARKET RESEARCH
Currently there is not a large scale programme in the UK supporting outward mobility to India. While the UK is a very
popular destination for Indians to come to learn or work (current student exchange ratio is 300:1), only about 850
people from the UK participate in placements in India every year. We have undertaken market research to gather
interest in the project. The key findings were:
1) A clear interest in all strands from the 52 UK HE and FE institutions that responded. Work placements were of
most interest (86% said they would be interested).
2) A clear interest in placements across all strands from the 1500 students that responded. Cultural Immersion
(72%) and Work placements (68%) were of most interest. 60% were interested in teaching placements and 50%
in study placements at Indian HE colleges.
WHAT IS ON OFFER FOR ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS IN THE UK?
Generation UK-India can benefit your institution by:
 promoting the benefits of gaining experience and skills abroad
 increasing the number of students from your institution undertaking international experience specifically in India
 helping with the development of new partnerships with organisations in India
 supporting existing partnerships and placements with India – your students going to India through university
partnerships could join Generation UK-India briefings or training
 offering briefings and training on campus for staff and students.
Areas that we are looking for support in are:
 Promoting Generation UK-India opportunities to your student body
 Offering guidance and support for applicants from your university
 Supporting with any necessary references required by the students
 Providing opportunities for the British Council and its partners to present information about our programme at your
university either at a pre-organised international opportunities fair/careers event or by hosting a specific
Generation UK-India events.
 Offering support with funding e.g. offer students specific scholarships for this programme to support those
struggling to meet the costs involved
 Shortlisting of your candidates
 Developing partnerships and opportunities in India
PROJECT TIMELINE – Year 1
Launch of the programme – India and the UK
Promotional activity in the UK
Deadline for UK applications
Selection of applicants and mapping to host institutions
Placement period
This timeline may be subject to change
Autumn/Winter 2014
January – February 2015
February 2015
March 2015
July 2015- May 2015
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
Email Eduardo Lees UK Project Manager eduardo.lees@britishcouncil.org or Anjum Kapur Kumar
anjumkapur.kumar@britishcouncil.org for more information or to arrange a meeting:
Visit our IHE website: http://www.britishcouncil.org/education/ihe/what-we-do/generation-uk-india
Students wishing to apply should visit our India Opportunities page on the British Council Study Work Create website:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-create-india
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