The varsity offers over 500 programs at undergraduate and higher levels making it an appealing choice for foreign nationals for applying.
The application process for foreign nationals seeking admissions in Delhi University (DU) began on Friday, 22nd February. Applications are open for undergraduate, post-graduate, M.Phil, Ph.D, certificate, diploma, and advanced diploma courses.
All applications will be accepted through the official website for foreign students – http://fsr.du.ac.in/. At first look, the window looks almost exactly like the one which is made available for Indian students, however, the application fee is INR 1500, which is 10 times the normal remuneration.
The website details a comprehensive, four-step procedure that the prospective students are supposed to follow in order to apply. After having filled the online application form, they are to attach documents in accordance with the guidelines of the Foreign Students’ Registry (FSR). Hard-copies attested by the Embassy have to then be sent to the FSR by post.
Following is the scrutiny of the application, after which the applicant is informed via email. If selected, further documents, like the visa have to be arranged for. On reaching Delhi, the students check with the FSR, and that is the end of the procedure. “The process was very straightforward, and, from what I’ve heard, much less cumbersome than what DU students go through to get in,” is the opinion of Sam Halpert, a History Honors student at St. Stephens, who is an American resident.
The University also provides an International Students’ House for male students, located at Mall Road, for those who wish to stay there.
Times of India reports that that last year, DU received over 3000 applications. Most of these are from the sub-continent. Afifa, a first-year B.Com Honors student of Shaheed Bhagat Singh College hails from Afghanistan and says that an Indian education was, arguably, the best thing that happened to her, and something that would set her course for getting a better life.
Besides countries like Nepal, Afghanistan, Myanmar and the likes, DU also has students coming in from the US or UK. When asked why he chose to come to India when so many Indian students are trying to study in the US, Halpert listed several reasons. “I have been exposed to a much more monolithic depiction of India and wanted a deeper window into what factors shape Indian politics and the Indian economy. I am also betting on India playing a more important role in geopolitics in the coming years. While many Americans are turning their focus to China, I see India as a country that also deserves a closer look. Having a deeper understanding of India will be crucial to remaining a global power,” he said.
The difference in tuition fee is another appealing component to him. “Although I think I pay more than a national student, that is still less than what I pay in the US, especially coupled with the lower cost of living in Delhi.”
In any DU college the cut-offs are the basis on which admission is sought. But in case of foreign students, it is a centralised allotment on behalf of all the colleges of the University. “There is no cut-off. Instead the dean asks us to choose among some college according to our percentage. We can surely persuade them to give us better options,” says Vikalp Kashyap, a first-year B.Com Honors student.
Foreign students studying in DU is not just advantageous to them, but to the Indian student community as well, because it provides a wholesome, more global outlook.
Feature Image Credits: fsr.du.ac.in
Maumil Mehraj
Comments are closed.