British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM (UK)

The British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM fund one-year master’s degrees at leading UK universities for women from around 30 eligible countries, including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Each award is worth at least GBP 40,000 and covers tuition, a living stipend, travel, the visa fee, the health surcharge and English support.

The program targets women from disadvantaged backgrounds who will return home as visible role models in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and it has placed about 500 scholars with 43 UK universities so far. Applications go directly to each partner university, with the 2027-28 round expected to open in early 2027 and university deadlines falling around February to April 2027.

• Women (as defined under UK legislation) from eligible countries and territories announced each cycle; recent cycles covered around 30 countries across South Asia (including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal), Southeast Asia, the Americas and other regions.
• Passport holder and permanent resident of an eligible country, able to obtain a UK student visa.
• Bachelor's degree completed, meeting the entry requirements of the chosen UK master's, including academic equivalencies and English (IELTS is often not required at the application stage).
• Demonstrated financial need: the programme targets women from socioeconomically disadvantaged contexts who could not otherwise study in the UK.
• Active engagement or work experience in a STEM field, with a plan and passion to engage other women and girls in STEM at home.
• No previous UK degree or recent UK residence, and dual British citizens are not eligible.
• Commitment to return to your home country for at least two years after the scholarship.

• Fully funded one-year STEM master's at a leading UK university, with each award worth a minimum of GBP 40,000.
• Tuition fees, monthly living stipend, travel costs, visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge all covered.
• English language support, including IELTS costs at several partner universities.
• Around 90 scholarships per cycle across roughly 30 countries; the programme has awarded about 500 scholarships with 43 UK universities since it began.
• Access to the UK's research-intensive STEM departments and the British Council alumni network.
• An explicit mission focus: scholars return as visible role models for women and girls in science.

• Direct application to each chosen partner university's eligible master's course through its own portal.
• British Council Women in STEM application form uploaded with the university application where the university requires it.
• Academic transcripts and degree certificate.
• Personal statement covering financial need, STEM engagement and plans to champion women and girls in STEM.
• References per the university's requirements.
• English test results by the university's condition deadline (often around August 1) rather than at application.

• Watch the British Council Women in STEM page for the 2027-28 cycle, which lists the partner universities, eligible courses and countries for each region when it opens (expected early 2027).
• Choose one or more partner universities and apply to an eligible course directly on each university's website, marking the Women in STEM scholarship in the funding section where asked.
• Complete the British Council scholarship form for universities that require it, and submit before that university's own deadline (2026-27 deadlines ranged from February to mid-April).
• Hold your offer as early as possible, since shortlisting happens soon after the deadlines and results are announced around June.
• The British Council makes the final selection from university shortlists, and scholars sign up to alumni-ambassador expectations.
• If your country is not listed in one cycle, check the next cycle, as country lists change year to year.