British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM
About the Program
Comprehensive guide for British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
The scholarship is fully funded, covering full tuition fees, a monthly living stipend (minimum £1,236 to £1,731 per month, varying by university/location), return economy-class flights to the UK from your home country, UK visa and health coverage (NHS surcharge) fees, and a refund of an IELTS English language test fee if required. It also includes study-related costs such as essential travel within the course, materials, and thesis binding. Each scholarship is valued at a minimum of £40,000 (approximately 5,120,000 INR based on 1 GBP = 128 INR). Additional support for mothers and those with caring responsibilities may also be provided.
Inclusions
- **
Gender:** Must be a woman, as defined under UK legislation. - **Nationality/
Residency:** Be a permanent resident of, and hold a valid passport or recognised international travel document from, one of the eligible countries/regions partnering with the British Council for this scholarship
Eligible regions often include South Asia (e.g., India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka), Americas (e.g., Mexico, Brazil), East Asia, Western Balkans, Central Asia, and Turkey
Specific eligible countries vary by university partnership. - **
Degree
Level:** Must have completed all components of an undergraduate degree in a STEM subject by the time of applying for the scholarship, or be in the final year of study and expected to complete it before enrolment onto the Master's course in the UK
The scholarship is for a one-year Master's degree programme in a STEM subject. - **
Academic
Requirement:** Must meet the entry requirements of the chosen UK higher education institution for the course applied for, including academic equivalent qualifications and English language proficiency
Typically, this requires a high second-class or first-class bachelor's honours degree or international equivalent. - **
Financial
Need:** Must demonstrate a clear need for financial support and not be able to privately fund their UK studies
Applicants should not be in receipt of financial support from any other source that duplicates the core benefits of the scholarship. - **
Return to
Home
Country:** Must agree to return to their country of citizenship or residence for a minimum of two years after the scholarship ends, except in very exceptional circumstances where return would be impossible or unsafe. - **
Prior
U
K
Study:** Preference may be given to candidates who have not had significant international exposure or previously studied in the UK (including distance learning at UK universities or study at UK branch campuses abroad). - **
Ambassadorial
Role:** Be willing to contribute to capacity-building and socio-economic advancement in their home country after graduating, and agree to maintain contact with the British Council, acting as an ambassador for the UK and engaging with Alumni UK activities. - **
Engagement:** Demonstrate a plan and passion to engage other women and girls in STEM from their home country.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Masters
Must be enrolled in Masters.
Financial & Category
Selection Process
The selection process for the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM is managed by the individual partner universities
Applicants are assessed based on their academic qualifications, demonstrated financial need, leadership potential, and commitment to inspiring future generations of women in STEM within their home country
Universities review applications and conduct shortlisting, with final decisions typically communicated by the universities
Merit and the quality of the personal statement/research proposal are key factors.
Renewal Policy
This scholarship typically supports one-year Master's degree programmes
Therefore, it is generally not renewable for subsequent years, as the funding is designed to cover the full duration of a single postgraduate course.
Application Process
- 1**Research Participating Universities and Courses
** Identify UK universities partnered with the British Council for the Women in STEM scholarship in your eligible country/region for the 2026/27 academic year. Note their specific eligible STEM Master's programmes and their application deadlines.
- 2**Prepare Academic Application
** Gather all necessary documents for your university application, including academic transcripts, certificates, CV, and English language test results (if required).
- 3**Apply to University
** Submit an academic application for an eligible Master's degree programme directly through the chosen UK university's online postgraduate application portal. Ensure you indicate that you are applying for the British Council Women in STEM Scholarship in the funding section.
- 4**Submit Scholarship Form
** In addition to the academic application, some universities may require you to complete and submit a separate British Council Women in STEM Scholarship online application form by a specific deadline. Ensure all supporting documents for the scholarship are uploaded as required by the university.
- 5**Monitor Application Status
** Universities manage the assessment process and will communicate shortlisting outcomes directly. Shortlisting for the 2026/27 cohort was expected in June 2026.
Documents Required
Important Dates
Application Deadline
Continuous Enrollment / Check Official Portal
Applications for the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM for the 2026/2027 academic year are now closed. The application deadlines vary by partnering university, with many institutions setting their deadlines around April (e.g., April 1st for academic application and April 30th for scholarship form at Durham University, and April 14th at Queen Mary University of London).
Dates are subject to change as per the provider's official notification. Applicants are encouraged to apply well before the closing date.
Scholarship Quick Facts
Common Questions (FAQs)
Q.Are applications still open for the 2026/2027 academic year?
As of July 2026, applications for the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM for the 2026/2027 academic year are generally closed. Universities are currently reviewing submitted applications, and shortlisting results were expected in June 2026. Potential applicants should check individual university websites for specific updates or look out for the next application cycle (likely 2027/2028) which typically opens in late 2026 or early 2027.
Q.What does 'fully funded' mean in practice for this scholarship?
'Fully funded' for this scholarship means it aims to cover all essential costs associated with your Master's study in the UK. This includes your full tuition fees, a monthly living stipend to cover accommodation and daily expenses (which varies by university and location, typically ranging from £1,236 to £1,731 per month), return flights to the UK, visa application fees, and health coverage fees (NHS surcharge). It also covers study-related costs like materials and may reimburse IELTS exam fees if applicable. Each scholarship has a minimum value of £40,000.
Q.Do I need to have a specific percentage in my undergraduate degree to be eligible?
While there isn't a fixed percentage specified by the British Council, you must meet the academic entry requirements of your chosen UK university for your Master's course. This typically means achieving a strong academic record in your undergraduate studies, often a high second-class or first-class bachelor's honours degree or its international equivalent. You should check the specific requirements of the Master's programme you intend to apply for.
Q.Is work experience mandatory to apply for this scholarship?
The primary requirement is an undergraduate degree in a STEM subject. While the scholarship aims to foster women's careers in STEM and leadership, specific work experience is not explicitly stated as a mandatory eligibility criterion for Master's scholarships. However, demonstrating passion for your field and leadership potential through any experiences (academic, volunteer, or professional) is highly valued in your application.
Help & Contact Support
Official Support
Need Application Help?
If you have trouble applying, you can check your eligibility or browse our step-by-step application guides.
Legal Disclaimer
IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. However, scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official British Council website before final submission.
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