Frequently Asked Questions

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. We started the 2021-22 UFP online and transitioned to on-campus classes in October 2022 with a vaccination drive and an extensive set of safety protocols and guidelines. 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.

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

Successfully admitted candidates are required to provide relevant information regarding chronic/ preexisting medical ailments if any and COVID-19 related information 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.

Fellows will be expected to follow a seven-day quarantine followed by an RT PCR test on the eighth day. Separate rooms will be arranged for all Fellows during the quarantine period and room service will be provided for meals and water. Double sharing rooms will be allotted once a negative COVID-19 report is in place. IIHS will bear the expenses for the rooms and tests.

During the course if any Fellow undertakes inter-state travel for any purpose, the same quarantine and test norms will be applicable. If the travel is of a personal nature and not part of scheduled course breaks / course related travel, then the cost for the tests will need to be borne by the Fellow.

IIHS takes all required and necessary  precautions to keep the premises safe. Daily screenings, sanitisations, awareness programs and  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are provided to Fellows. We expect Fellows to abide by set protocols and movement restrictions. It is mandatory to wear the face shield and mask while at IIHS premises.

Write to us at ufp.info@iihs.co.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.

The UFP is scholarship-based, nine-month, full-time, residential and inter-disciplinary, 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 Bangalore City Campus, followed by a two-month internship. Fellows 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.

The UFP is located in Bengaluru at the IIHS Bangalore City Campus. During the internship, Fellows will be based in cities where their internship organisations are located.

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 1992. We encourage you to apply if you are:

• A candidate with a Bachelor’s/ Master’s/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.

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 1992.

The UFP is scholarship-based nine month, full-time, and inter-disciplinary, typically starting mid-August and ending in May of the following year. (the years are not provided until we have clearance for the 22-23 programme)

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.

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 1992.

• 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.

The UFP is scholarship-based, nine month, full-time, and inter-disciplinary, that will be delivered through seven months of in-class teaching at the IIHS City Campus in Bengaluru, followed by two months of internship placements in locations where the internship organisation is located.

Tuition fee for the UFP 2021-22 costs is INR 2 Lakhs + GST.  for the entire programme, payable in three installments 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 applied projects.

Accommodation on a double sharing basis is available at no additional expense to all Fellows who receive admission. Housing, meals (breakfast and dinner, lunch on weekends and IIHS holidays), 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.

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.

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

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

a) Food: Fellows will be provided breakfast and dinner as part of their accommodation. In addition, IIHS offers lunch on all weekdays. However, Fellows are responsible for additional cost of groceries or other food they may buy.

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.

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

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

Application dates will be announced shortly for UFP 2022 – 2023. 

You can apply online at www.urbanfellows.iihs.co.in You can also download a copy of the application form. You can send us your application by post/ courier to:

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

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 two shorter essay questions that need to be completed. The first is on your motivation to apply (up to 300 words) and is mandatory. For the second essay, two options are provided and you are required to respond to one. The first option requires you to choose one out of five problem statements provided and give your response to it. The other option requires you to write from the perspective of your work experiences. (Both options require you to write 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.

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 1992.

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.

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.

The following information is required during the application process:

1. Basic Personal Information
2. Educational Qualifications
3. Work | Internship | Volunteering Experience (if any)
4. Supporting Information and Documents:

• Personal Statement and Essays: This section consists of three shorter essay questions: one on your motivation to apply (up to 300 words), and two 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).
• 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.

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 a work representing team effort, please specify details of your particular contribution and role.

Shortlisted candidates will be intimated as per these dates:

• End May: Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to set up interview times and dates. Interviews will be on the phone or via Skype.
• June: Selected and waitlisted Fellows will be informed.

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 2021-23.
Step 5: Fellows must accept the offer and pay the deposit amount within a week of the offer.

No. The UFP Admissions Committee will examine all complete 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 on the phone 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 late May.

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.

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

All Fellows are provided with 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.

Yes, all Fellows are guaranteed internships as a part of the UFP.

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

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

Core ‘Commons’ Modules: These will be the core classes of the UFP. There are six core concepts:

• Ecology
• Identity
• Economy
• Governance
• Infrastructure
• Planning

Electives: There will be four modules of elective courses. In 2021-22 the elective modules offered included:

• Work, Labour, and Informality in the Urban
• Experiencing Home: Affect and Housing in Modern South Asia
• Practice of Economics in the Urban
• Urban Health Systems
• Governing Mega-Infrastructure Projects
• Urban Transportation and Mobility
• National Urban Missions
• Housing Policy and Practice: rental Housing
• Development Communication
• Southern Urban Theory
• Changing Climate, Changing Cities

Applied Practica will allow Fellows to apply their knowledge on site-based problem cases located in Bengaluru.

A list of Skill Labs offered in 2021-22 included: 

• Framing the Inquiry
• Thinking about Methods
• Methods in Primary Research
• Skills and Methods in Urban Practice
• Primary Quantitative Data
• Qualitative Methods: Survey Design
• Ethnographic Methods
• Spatial Appreciation
• Media Lab – Media Skills
• Geo-Spatial Lab – GIS
• Word Lab – Writing Skills
• Urban Informatics Lab – Data Skills and Case Studies
• Advanced Skills Labs

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 2021-22 include:

• Framing the Inquiry
• Thinking about Methods
• Methods in Primary Research
• Skills and Methods in Urban Practice
• Primary Quantitative Data
• Qualitative Methods: Survey Design
• Ethnographic Methods
• Spatial Appreciation
• Media Lab – Media Skills
• Geo-Spatial Lab – GIS
• Word Lab – Writing Skills
• Urban Informatics Lab – Data Skills and Case Studies
• Advanced Skills Labs

An average week in the life of an Urban Fellow will include classes and Practica assignments 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 Bengaluru City Campus. These can be attended virtually or in person depending on the format as well as relevant COVID protocols.

Yes, prospective candidates are welcome to visit the Bengaluru City Campus. However, they need to pre-intimate the IIHS team regarding their visit as IIHS follows a strict COVID safety protocols. All prospective candidates coming in will be provided with an online self-declaration form which is to be submitted prior to their arrival. IIHS will designate a space for the meeting. Temperature and SPO2 screening will be carried out at the entry point.

Wearing a mask is mandatory while within the premises. All entry and exit points, as well as common areas have sanitiser points to maintain hand hygiene. Tour of the facility will be considered in line with the COVID 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

Details of the UFP faculty is available here.

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