A group of Indian journalist is getting a unique insight into the British media through a university scholarship programme.

The 12 writers are taking part in the three-month 'Chevening' programme at the University of Lincoln.

The scholarship includes a four-week placement at newspapers including the Nottingham Evening Post, Manchester Evening News and The Scotsman as well as nationals such as the Guardian and Financial Times.

In addition, the reporters are participating in a range of practical workshops looking at writing styles, investigative reporting skills, column writing, website production techniques and digital photography.

Visiting speakers to the university during the programme include investigative journalists Phillip Knightley and Tessa Mayes, photographer David Woodfall, BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall and Times columnist Libby Purves.

Seminars will debate terrorism and the media, human rights, mass media technology, media history and multiculturalism in the UK.

Course member Aditya Ghosh, a special correspondent at The Hindustan Times in Mumbai, said: "This programme is providing me with a unique opportunity to reflect on my daily routines in the newsroom.

"We all feel very privileged to be here."

Subhendu Ray, senior reporter on the Indian Express in Calcutta, said: "I'm particularly valuing the chances here to develop my writing style.

"We are being encouraged to inject a personal feel into our features.

"I'm not used to that so it's very challenging and rewarding."

The students have already visited the offices of the Guardian, BBC Manchester and the Manchester Evening News and have trips to Oxford University and The Daily Telegraph to come.

The programme is being co-ordinated by the university's journalism professors Richard Keeble and John Tulloch.

Professor Tulloch said: "The Chevening course will immensely aid the university's profile in India.

"We are bringing into the school 12 distinguished journalists who are opinion-makers in their own country and showing them the best of a new and progressive university – as well as a refreshingly non-metropolitan side of Britain."

Professor Tulloch said the highlight of the course so far, which is due to finish at the end of the year, was their trip to Manchester United TV.

"We were looking at a global media operation which could take over the world," he said.

"It has 143m fans worldwide and their website is translated into Mandarin, Chinese and Japanese."