British Council

Fully funded

British Council Women in STEM Scholarships

British Council, United Kingdom

Scholarship overview

The British Council Women in STEM Scholarships fund one-year master's degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at UK universities and research institutions for women from socioeconomically disadvantaged contexts. The programme aims to increase opportunities for women in STEM, strengthen female leadership in science and innovation, and build a more gender-representative sector.

The scholarships are run with partner UK universities, which manage applications and assessment; the British Council makes the final decision on selected scholars. The programme has engaged 43 UK universities and awarded around 500 scholarships. The 2026-27 round was its sixth year.

Places are allocated by region, with each partner university offering a set number of scholarships to women from specific countries. In 2026-27, for example, 20 scholarships were offered to applicants from the Americas (including Mexico and Brazil) through four universities, 20 to applicants from East Asia through four universities (including ASEAN-UK scholarships at Cranfield University and the University of Stirling, co-funded with the UK Mission to ASEAN), and 15 to applicants from Wider Europe, including Kazakhstan, through the University of Bath, the University of Bradford and Durham University.

Award Information

  • Be a woman, as defined under UK legislation; legal sex as female must be confirmed by passport or other official documentation when requested by the institution.
  • Be a permanent resident of, and hold a valid passport or recognised international travel document from, one of the eligible countries, and be able to obtain a UK visa with the documents held. Applicants with refugee or stateless status are eligible if they meet UK visa requirements.
  • Agree to return to the country of citizenship or residence for at least two years after the scholarship ends, except where return would be impossible or unsafe.
  • Meet the UK university's entry requirements for the chosen course, including academic qualifications and English language proficiency.
  • Have completed all parts of an undergraduate degree when applying; final-year students may be considered if they will graduate in time to enrol and meet all matriculation requirements.
  • Show a case for financial support: applicants must not be able to fund UK study privately and must not receive other funding that duplicates the scholarship's core benefits (private savings may top it up; awards aimed at academic or professional development are allowed).
  • Preference goes to candidates without significant international exposure or previous UK study (including UK distance learning or UK branch campuses abroad); significant means study of over one month or enrolment on an international degree. Short visits such as study tours or conferences are fine.
  • State a preference of course and institution if applying to more than one university.
  • Be motivated and academically able to follow a UK postgraduate taught course.
  • Be active in STEM, with work experience or a proven interest in the proposed subject.
  • Be willing to contribute to capacity-building and socio-economic development in the home country after the master's.
  • Agree to keep in contact with the British Council, act as an ambassador for the UK and take part in Alumni UK activities during and after the course.
  • Show a plan and passion to engage other women and girls in STEM in the home country.
  • Agree to personal data being shared with the British Council for assessment and promotional purposes.
  • Full tuition fees
  • Monthly living stipend
  • Return flights to the UK from the home country
  • Visa and health coverage fees
  • Refund of an IELTS test, if required
  • Study-related costs, such as essential course travel, materials and thesis binding
  • Each scholarship is worth a minimum of £40,000 (2026-27).

Applications for the 2026-27 academic year are closed. Deadlines were set by each partner university; for applicants from Wider Europe (including Kazakhstan) they were 23 April 2026 (University of Bath) and 30 April 2026 (University of Bradford and Durham University). Universities communicated shortlisting results in the first week of June 2026.

  1. Check the eligibility criteria and the list of participating universities and courses open to your country on the British Council regional page.
  2. Choose a partner university and an eligible one-year STEM master's course.
  3. Apply directly to the university, following its own application requirements and deadline.
  4. Wait to hear from the university about shortlisting; contact the university with questions about your application status.
  5. For general questions, email [email protected].

Official links

How selection works

  • Partner universities review and shortlist applications against the eligibility criteria.
  • The British Council makes the final decision on selected scholars.
  • Scholars must act as UK ambassadors and engage with Alumni UK activities during and after their studies.

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