British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM

British Council is looking for women with a background in STEM, who can demonstrate their need for financial support and who wish to inspire future generations of women to pursue careers in STEM.

This scholarship programme aims to increase opportunities in STEM for girls and women. According to data from the UN Scientific Education and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), fewer than 30 percent of researchers worldwide are women and only 30 percent of female students select STEM-related fields in higher education.

Globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in Information and Communications Technology (three percent), natural science, mathematics and statistics (five percent), and engineering, manufacturing and construction (eight percent).

Benefits

• academic prestige – the UK’s universities are amongst the world’s leaders in STEM subjects
• economic support will include tuition fees, stipend, travel costs, visa and health coverage fees
• special support for mothers
• English language support

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must:
  • Be a woman, or identify as a woman.
  • Be a passport holder and permanent resident of one of the eligible countries listed on the British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM website.
  • Have submitted an application to study an eligible postgraduate programme in one of the programme areas and at one of the following UK university partners assigned for each region, as listed in the Scholarship website. This application must be done prior to submitting an application for a British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM.
  • Have completed all components of an undergraduate degree that will enable them to gain entry onto a postgraduate programme at a UK university partner by the time they submit their application and be due to start their postgraduate programme in the UK during 2022.
  • Have not previously studied at degree level or higher in the UK or lived recently in the UK.
  • Meet the English language requirement of the UK university partner.
  • Demonstrate case for financial support need via a means-test conducted by the UK university partner.
  • Return to their country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after their scholarship award has ended.
• Scholars are also required to show in their application form that:
  • They are active in the field with work experience or with a proven interest in the programme area they are applying for.
  • They are willing to demonstrate future contribution to capacity-building and socio-economic advancement through the benefits achieved after graduating from UK higher education and returning to their home country.
  • They can demonstrate a plan and passion to engage other women and girls in STEM from their home country.
  • They agree that their personal data can be shared with the British Council as a condition of applying for the bursary.

If they are awarded a scholarship, they agree to maintain contact with the British Council and act as an ambassador for the UK and engage with activities as part of a British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM alumnus during and after their study in the UK. Any involvement in these activities during their study in the UK will take up to no more than five hours per term.

For more information, visit British Council.