Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs

What is the UFP?

The UFP is a scholarship-based, nine-month, full-time, residential and interdisciplinary programme based at the IIHS City Campus in Bengaluru. It is a certificate programme that seeks to combine classroom-based teaching, site-based applied learning, work on live projects, and external internships to introduce Fellows to diverse forms of urban practice. It is open to recent graduates and young professionals from varied educational backgrounds or practice domains.

The UFP includes a seven-month classroom-based learning period at the IIHS Bengaluru City Campus, followed by a two-month Practice Term in which Fellows can select to work on an IIHS live Project or an Independent Project or an Internship. Fellows opting for an internship will intern at organisations working on different aspects of urban change and development, such as public sector organisations, private consulting organisations, NGOs, think-tanks, and community organisations among others.

Where would the UFP be located?

The UFP is located in Bengaluru at the IIHS Bangalore City Campus. If Fellows opt for an internship with an external organisation in the Practice Term, they will be based in cities where their internship organisations are located.

Who can apply to the UFP?

The UFP invites applications from candidates interested in understanding and working on the complex challenges facing our cities. Candidates must not exceed 30 years of age at the time of the Programme’s commencement. Applicants should be born on or after 1 August 1993. We encourage you to apply if you are:

A candidate with a Bachelor’s/ Master’s/ M.Phil. degree in any subject or discipline, including the social sciences, humanities, planning, architecture, urban studies, development studies, environmental studies, engineering, commerce, management, journalism, law, media and the Arts.
A candidate who has non-degree training and has undertaken certification programmes after their 10+2 schooling.
A candidate who does not have formal education after their 10+2, but has substantial experience (either formal or informal) working on urban concerns and challenges, in sectors such as housing, education, public health, economic development, environmental concerns, water, waste, sanitation, etc.

We encourage applications from women, people with disabilities and those from economically and socially excluded communities. We encourage applicants from smaller urban centers.

Candidates must be Indian citizens. OCI Card holders are not eligible to apply at this time.

The Urban Fellows Programme is part of IIHS’ commitment to create supportive teaching and learning environments, based on the principle of not discriminating against individuals on the basis of personal beliefs or characteristics such as caste, class, religion, region, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. Fellows are expected to aspire to the highest standards of ethics in their personal and professional interactions.

Is there an age limit for applying to the UFP?

Candidates should not exceed 30 years of age at the time of the UFP’s commencement and should be born on or after 1 August 1993.

What is the duration of the UFP?

The UFP is a scholarship-based nine month, full-time, residential and interdisciplinary programme, starting mid-August 2023 and ending in May 2024.

Do prospective Fellows need to be fluent in English?

Fellows need to have basic proficiency in reading English and understanding written English texts. Support will be available for Fellows that have limited speaking ability in English and they are encouraged to apply.

What educational, professional background and/or experience do I need to be an Urban Fellow?

The UFP invites applications from recent graduates and young professionals not exceeding 30 years of age at the time of the fellowship’s commencement. Candidates should be born on or after 1 August 1993.

A candidate with a Bachelors/ Masters/ M.Phil. degree in any subject or discipline, including the social sciences, humanities, planning, architecture, urban studies, development studies, environmental studies, engineering, commerce, management, journalism, law, media and the Arts.
A candidate who has non-degree training and has undertaken certification programmes after their 10+2 schooling.
A candidate who does not have formal education after their 10+2, but has substantial experience (either formal or informal) working on urban concerns and challenges, in sectors such as housing, education, public health, economic development, environmental concerns, water, waste, sanitation, etc.

What costs are covered by the programme?

The UFP is a scholarship-based, nine month, full-time, residential and interdisciplinary programme that will be delivered through seven months of in-class teaching at the IIHS City Campus in Bengaluru, followed by two months of Practice term. Fellows selecting an internship track option in the Practice term will be placed in locations of the internship organisation or the project location according to the details of the internship.

Tuition fee for the UFP 2023-24 is INR 2.3 Lakhs + GST for the entire programme, payable in three instalments over the year. This fee includes all costs of travel for the UFP on Exposure Visits as well as expenditure on local and inter-city travel for UFP Practica and course related fieldwork.

The UFP is committed to providing scholarships to all candidates that receive admission, who are unable to pay the programme tuition, after a review of their financial needs. The programme is thus need-blind. Selection and admission into the programme will not be affected by the ability to pay.

In addition to scholarships that cover tuition fees, there are a limited number of stipends available to cover daily living expenses for candidates with significant financial need. Applicants wishing to be considered for this will have a chance to indicate so in the admission forms.

All admitted Fellows will be asked to submit a Rs 20,000 deposit to secure their admission. This will be refunded upon successful completion of the Programme. Applicants in financial need may request a waiver of the deposit to be considered on a case-by-case basis at the time of admission to the UFP.

Accommodation, Room and Board
Accommodation on a double sharing basis is available at no additional expense to all Fellows who receive admission. Housing, meals, internet access, housekeeping services and a central laundry facility, is provided to Fellows for the seven month in-class teaching period. A detailed list of services available at the shared accommodation, as well as terms of residency, will be provided to all candidates who clear the first stage of the application process and are called in for interviews.

Costs not covered include incidental costs such as dining out, additional purchases, and medical expenses not covered by the medical insurance provided by IIHS.

Transport
IIHS will provide pooled pick up and drop services to and from the accommodation to the campus. These will operate at fixed timings. Entry may be restricted for Fellows who arrive late after missing this service.

Can I work during the UFP?

No, neither full-time nor part-time work will be allowed during the UFP, which is a full time, residential programme.

What sort of living expenses should I prepare for in Bengaluru?

We anticipate that there likely will be additional expenses that Fellows will need to prepare for:

a) Food: Fellows will be provided breakfast, lunch and snacks at the campus on all working days. However, Fellows are responsible for expenses related to dinner on all days as well as meals during the weekends and IIHS holidays.

b) Transport: IIHS will provide pooled pick up and drop services, operating at fixed times, between the campus and the Fellows’ accommodation. If a Fellow is unable to avail the IIHS provided pool transport service, then they shall be responsible for any travel expenses incurred. Please note, the cost of transportation in Bengaluru can vary greatly depending on the mode of transport as well as distance travelled.

Typical modes of public transport include buses (managed by the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation or BMTC); metro rail (managed by the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd or BMRCL); autorickshaws; and private cab operators such as Uber and Ola.

Metro: The metro service at Bangalore, also known as ‘Namma Metro’ operates in two lines, green and purple, covering about 40 stations. Travellers can buy coupons valid for one trip and undertake the journey. Frequent travellers can opt for the contactless smart card called ‘varshik’ which allows passengers to recharge with ease and make substantial savings. The timing for the metro service is 5 AM to 11 PM and the frequency is between 4 minutes to 20 minutes. The BMRCL (Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited) website has details on fares and stoppages which can be easily accessed for more information.

Bus: The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) plies buses within the city which is the most economical way of getting around Bengaluru. The fares are calculated on the basis of stages travelled and each stage is 2 KM long. The details on the routes and fares are available on the BMTC website. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) also provides buses for inter-city travel if someone wants to avail that service for travelling in and out of Bangalore.

Auto: Auto rickshaws are easily available, but they can prove to be a costly option.

Cabs: Ola and Uber are very popular currently in Bengaluru and their services cover almost the entire city. Rates tend to vary through the day depending on peak hours and traffic.

c) Other living expenses: Other living expenses which Fellows may want to prepare for include personal phone bills, eating out at restaurants and cafes, intercity travel (except exposure trips), personal leisure and recreation, memberships to gyms and fitness clubs, shopping for clothing and other essentials, and personal book purchases. None of these expenses are covered by the UFP.

Application Process

How do I apply for the UFP?

You can apply online at www.urbanfellows.iihs.co.in

You can also send in your application forms by post/courier to:
The Admissions Committee
IIHS Bengaluru City Campus
No. 197/36, 2nd Main Road
Sadashivanagar, Bengaluru 560 080

When does the application process start?

Applications start from 13 March 2023. You can apply online at www.urbanfellows.iihs.co.in You can also download a copy of the application form.

Applications close on 24 April 2023, 11:59 pm IST. You can send us your application by post/ courier to:

The UFP Admissions Committee
IIHS Bengaluru City Campus
No. 197/36, 2nd Main Road
Sadashivanagar, Bengaluru 560 080

What are the steps of the application process?

The online application form has four sections.
Section 1: Basic Personal Information
Section 2: Educational Qualifications
Section 3: Work | Internship | Volunteering Experience (if any)
Section 4: Supporting Information and Documents

Personal Statement and Essays: This section consists of three shorter essay questions that need to be completed. Please note that all three essays are mandatory. The first essay is on your motivation to apply (up to 300 words) and is focused on your interest in the UFP and its elements. The second essay (up to 200 words) focuses on your experiences and the ways in which these led to your interest in the Urban. The third essay requires you to choose one out of five problem statements provided and give your response to it. (up to 400 words).
Audio-visual material or other material of your own making that complements your application can be uploaded or sent in.
Any other information you would like to provide (up to 200 words).
A Sample of Work: One sample of academic or professional work that best describes your capabilities and interests. The sample may take any form: e.g., text, plans, portfolios, audio files and visual media. The sample of work should preferably be your individual effort. In case you include a work representing team effort, please specify details of your particular contribution and role.

Can I apply if I am above the age of 30?

No. Candidates should not exceed 30 years of age at the time of the UFP’s commencement and should be born on or after 1 August 1993.

Does the application need to be finished in a single session?

No, you don’t need to complete the online application in a single session. The online application form has four sections. You have the option of saving your application at any point in time and coming back to it later. Your application will be associated with a unique username and password. You will have to use your unique username and password to login in order to work on your saved application. The application is complete once you review your answers and press submit at the end.

Do I need to upload academic transcripts/ mark sheets/ degree certificates at the time of filling up my application? When do I need to send them?

No, you don’t need to upload academic transcripts/ mark sheets/ degree certificates at the time of filling up your application. In case you are selected as a Fellow, you will need to submit them subsequently at the time of admission.

What information is required as a part of the application process?

The following information is required during the application process:

Basic Personal Information
Educational Qualifications
Work | Internship | Volunteering Experience (if any)
Supporting Information and Documents:

Personal Statement and Essays: This section consists of three shorter essay questions that are mandatory: one on your motivation to apply to the UFP (up to 300 words), the second on your experiences and interest in the Urban (200 words) and the third that focus on your descriptive and analytical ability (up to 400 words each).
Audio-visual material or other material of your own making that complements your application can be uploaded or sent in.
Any other information you would like to provide (up to 200 words).
Work Sample: One sample of academic or professional work that best describes your capabilities and interests. The sample may take any form: e.g., text, plans, portfolios, audio files and visual media. The sample of work should preferably be your individual effort. In case you include a work representing team effort, please specify details of your particular contribution and role.

Do I have to submit a ‘Sample of Work’ as a part of the Application?

Yes, submitting a Sample of Work is mandatory. Without this, your application will not be considered complete, and the UFP Admissions Committee will not process your application.

A ‘Sample of Work’ includes any academic or professional work that is representative of your capabilities and interests. The sample may take any form: e.g. text, plans, portfolios, audio files and visual media. The sample of work should preferably be your individual effort. In case you include work representing team effort, please specify details of your particular contribution and role.

When will I hear from the selection committee about my application?

Shortlisted candidates will be intimated as per these dates:

Early June: Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to set up interview times and dates. Interviews will be conducted via GMeet or via Skype (phone interviews will be conducted only in exceptional circumstances).
Late June: Selected and waitlisted Fellows will be informed.

What will the selection process include?

The selection process is listed below:

Step 1: Review of applications by the UFP Admissions Committee.
Step 2: Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and informed about their date of personal interview (over Skype or Phone).
Step 3: Interview of shortlisted candidates by the UFP Admissions Committee.
Step 4: Successful candidates will receive an offer to become a Fellow, Batch of 2023-24
Step 5: Fellows must accept the offer and pay the deposit amount within a week of the offer.

Will all applicants be called for interviews?

No. The UFP Admissions Committee will examine all completed, and submitted applications and shortlist a pool of candidates for interviews. We will inform shortlisted candidates and set up interview slots with them. Interviews will be conducted via GMeet or via Skype (phone interviews will be conducted only in exceptional circumstances). Interview slots would be of 30 minutes duration. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to set up interview times and dates in early June.

Can I send in my application by post?

Yes, you can send in your application by post to:

The UFP Admissions Committee
IIHS Bengaluru City Campus
No. 197/36, 2nd Main Road
Sadashivanagar, Bengaluru 560 080.

Who do I contact if I have any trouble with the application process?

For any queries regarding the application process, please write to ufp.info@iihs.ac.in

Internships

What kinds of internship opportunities are available as a part of the UFP?

All Fellows are provided an option for a two-month internship as part of the UFP. These internships will be across a diverse set of organisations ranging from public institutions to private firms and practices, social movements, non-governmental organisations, research think-tanks, development sector organisations and design and architecture firms. Some Fellows will have the opportunity to intern on live IIHS projects. Fellows in previous batches have been a part of ongoing IIHS projects such as Land Records Management, Water and Sanitation Implementation Plans for State Governments, Climate Change, and Adaptation and Food Security.

Are all Fellows guaranteed internships?

All Fellows are offered 3 options in the Practice Term including an internship option along with options for an IIHS live Projects or an Independent Project.

Are there guaranteed placements at the end of the Programme?

IIHS is committed to finding placements for its Fellows when they complete the Programme. However, there are no guaranteed placements.

Programme Content and Others

What courses will I be taught in the UFP?

The UFP will include core Commons courses, Elective courses, site based Practica and Skill Labs. The details of each are summarised below:

Commons courses: These are the core classes of the UFP across six core themes:

Built Environment and Planning
Identity and Social Practice
Law, Governance and Policy
Infrastructure and Services
Urban Economy
Urban Ecology, Environment and Sustainability

Electives Courses: Four types of elective courses are offered across different cycles.

In 2022-23 the Elective courses offered included:

Activism and the City
Cities and Climate Change
Decarbonising the City
Food and the City
Gender in the City
Housing Policy and Practice
National Urban Missions
Southern Urban Theory
Urban and Regional Economic Development
Urban Biodiversity
Urban Risk and Resilience
Work, Labour, and Informality in the Urban

Practica will allow Fellows to apply their knowledge on site-based problem cases located in Bengaluru. It is a field-based inquiry using methods, theory and skills that are taught in the Commons Term.

A list of Skill Labs offered in 2022-23 included:

Data Skills – IIHS Urban Informatics Lab (UIL)
Framing the Inquiry
Media and skills – IIHS Media Lab
Methods in Primary Research
Spatial Appreciation
Working with Spatial Data – IIHS GeoSpatial Lab (GSL)
Writing Skill Lab – IIHS Word Lab

What skills will I be taught in the UFP?

Through the UFP, Fellows will be equipped with the most appropriate technical, analytical and professional skills that will be taught through a series of labs, as well as through assignments and Practica and Projects to enable Fellows to apply these skills beyond the classroom. UFP has a core course structure that incorporates skill building that covers both required and elective skill labs.

A list of Skill Labs offered in 2022-23 included:

Data Skills – IIHS Urban Informatics Lab (UIL)
Framing the Inquiry
Media and skills – IIHS Media Lab
Methods in Primary Research
Spatial Appreciation
Working with Spatial Data – IIHS GeoSpatial Lab (GSL)
Writing Skill Lab – IIHS Word Lab

Advanced Skills offered in 2022-23 included:

Survey Design for Qualitative Research – IIHS GeoSpatial Lab (GSL)
Ethnographic Methods
Climate Analysis of a City
Exploring and Visualising Quantitative Data – IIHS Urban Informatics Lab (UIL)
Making Sense of Data – IIHS Urban Informatics Lab (UIL)
Advanced GIS – IIHS GeoSpatial Lab (GSL)
IoT for a Smart City – IIHS IoT Lab
Advanced Media – IIHS Media Lab

What is a typical week in the Programme like?

An average week in the life of a Fellow will include classes and fieldwork for Practica between Monday and Friday. During the week, Fellows can choose to participate in events (e.g. film screenings, theatre performances, talks) that are regularly hosted at the IIHS Bengaluru City Campus (BCC).

Is it possible for me to visit the campus and/or meet the faculty?

Yes, prospective candidates are welcome to visit the Bengaluru City Campus. However, they need to pre-intimate the IIHS team regarding their visit to ensure availability of the concerned teams. Temperature screening will be done at the point of entry.

Tour of the facility will be considered in line with the COVID-19 safety protocols relevant at that time.

We are located at:
No. 197/36, 2nd Main Road
Sadashivanagar
Bengaluru 560 080. India

You can also meet our faculty by signing up for scheduled webinars. Click here for the schedule.

Where can I read more about the faculty of the UFP?

Details of the UFP faculty is available here.

Where can I know more about IIHS?

You can know more about IIHS at www.iihs.co.in

COVID-19 and other health-related FAQs

Is there any change in the UFP structure or schedule as a result of COVID-19?

The health, safety and well-being of staff and Fellows at IIHS is our priority. IIHS maintained an excellent quality of education through the unprecedented situations of 2020 and 2021. The 2021-22 UFP started online and transitioned to on-campus classes in October 2022 with a vaccination drive and an extensive set of safety protocols and guidelines. The 2022-23 UFP was conducted completely on-campus with IIHS health and safety protocols for all field visits and exposure trips within and outside Bengaluru. IIHS will closely track all government advisories. Programme related updates will be put up on our website and our social media handles. Applicants will also be informed via email. Please check these channels regularly.

What mandatory declarations and information are prospective candidates required to produce at the time of application?

These will be as per the application forms, including authentic emergency contact information.

What health related information if any are successful candidates required to produce as part of the documents?

Successfully admitted candidates are required to provide relevant information regarding chronic/ pre-existing medical ailments if any and COVID vaccination details as applicable. This will help IIHS plan in providing necessary support for the Fellows. Further, updates if any to any information provided earlier, should also be provided.

What Isolation Protocols will Fellows have to follow upon arriving in Bengaluru for the course?

Looking at the current COVID scenario, we will not be following any isolation protocols on arrival. However, all successful candidates are expected to have completed their full vaccination schedule before coming on board.

Any changes in the existing protocols, due to applicable Government directives, will be intimated to the Fellows closer to the actual joining date.

What safety protocols has IIHS implemented for the 2023-24 batch which is set to be fully on campus?

IIHS takes all required and necessary precautions to keep the premises safe. Daily temperature monitoring is carried out at the campus. Fellows are expected to reach out to the Operations team if they are unwell or have come in contact with anyone who has been detected as COVID positive.

I have limited internet access and have trouble with the application form. How do I proceed?

Write to us at ufp.info@iihs.ac.in with your specific concern/issue. Or reach us at + 91 99012 55788, 96064 84336 between 10 am and 6 pm on any weekday. We will work with you to resolve it as best as possible.