British Council Women in STEM Scholarships for International Students—Fully Funded 2024

The British Council is offering Master’s scholarship opportunities to international women who hold a Bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) subject. Women who are passionate about their field of study will be given the exciting opportunity to obtain Master’s degrees at a prestigious UK University in a bid to close the gender gap in STEM subjects.

For the fourth year running the British Council is launching our global Women in STEM scholarship programme in partnership with UK universities. This is the fourth year that the scholarship has been launched. We are looking for women with a STEM background who can demonstrate their need for financial support and who wish to inspire future generations of women to pursue careers in STEM.

This scholarship is geared towards closing the widening disparity between the number of male and female researchers in STEM-related fields. According to data from the UN Scientific Education and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), less than 30 per cent of the world’s researchers are women and only 30 per cent of female students select STEM-related fields in higher education. Globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in Information and Communications Technology (three per cent), natural science, mathematics and statistics (five per cent), and engineering, manufacturing and construction (eight per cent). Educating, training, and hiring more women in STEM can lead to better scientific and financial outcomes, increasing diversity in the workforce, bringing variety in perspectives and ideas and giving organisations a competitive edge.

The British Council supports peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. They uniquely combine the UK’s deep expertise in arts and culture, education and the English language, our global presence and relationships in over 100 countries, our unparalleled access to young people and influencers and our creative sparkle. They work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.

Study Programme: Master’s Degree

Eligible Countries: International Students

Country Host: UK

Scholarship Reward: Fully Funded, stipend, travel fare

Eligibility Criteria for the Scholarship for Africans

• Be or identify as a woman.
• Be a passport holder and permanent resident of one of the eligible countries
• Meet the entry requirement of the UK Higher Education Institution for the courses they apply for, including academic equivalents and English language.
• The candidate must have completed all components of an undergraduate degree at the time of applying for the scholarship; the British Council can consider final awards pending on a case-by-case basis.
• Demonstrate a case for financial support/socio-economic need.
• Not receive financial support or funding towards their study programme in the UK From any other source and not be able to privately fund their UK studies.
• Preference should be given to candidates who have not had any international exposure before this scheme.
• Have not previously studied at a degree level or higher in the UK or lived recently in the UK.
• Distance learning at a UK university or studying at a UK branch campus in another country Will also be considered as studying in the UK.
• Indicate their preference for course and institution in the case of applying to multiple institutions.
• Meet the English language requirement of the UK Higher Education Institution.
• Be motivated and academically able to follow and benefit from a UK postgraduate taught course.
• Be active in the field with work experience or with a proven interest in the proposed subject area.
• Be willing to demonstrate future contribution to capacity-building and socio-economic advancement of their home country through the benefits achieved after graduating from UK higher education.
• Agree to maintain contact with the British Council and act as an ambassador for the UK and engage with activities as part of a Scholarships for Women in STEM alumnus during and after their studies in the UK.
• Demonstrate a plan and a passion to engage other women and girls in STEM from their home country.
• Agree to their data being shared with the British Council for purposes of Assessment and promotional activity, as a condition of applying for the scholarship.
• Agree to return to their country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after their Scholarship award has ended.

A Candidate will not be eligible if they:

• Hold dual British citizenship.
• Are an employee, a former employee, or relative (*) of an employee of Her Majesty’s Government (including but not limited to: British Embassies/High Commissions; Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT); Department for International Trade; the Ministry of Defence; and the Home Office)
• Are you an employee, a former employee, or a relative (*) of an employee of the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM–eligible countries?
• (*): Relatives are defined as parents or stepparents, siblings or stepsiblings, children or stepchildren, spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (where the couple have been in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years).
• Are you currently in receipt of financial support or funding towards your study programme in the UK from any other source?
• Have previously studied in the UK with funding from a UK Government-funded scholarship or a UK institutional scholarship/financial bursary, as well as those who privately funded their UK studies.

Benefits of the Scholarship

In addition to the prestige of studying at a renowned UK university, the scholarship covers:

• Full tuition fees
• Living stipend
• Travel costs
• Visa and health coverage fees
• Refund of an IELTS English language test, if needed.

Application Process

You can make more than one application, but you will need to apply through each institution separately.

All applications must be directly submitted to the respective Higher Education Institution.

For further information please click HERE to visit the official website

Application Deadline

Deadlines for applications differ according to the university