Access to education is one contributing factor leading to the underrepresentation of women in STEM. The objective of this programme is to help address this situation by providing opportunities for women from the countries listed below to continue with their studies and research in STEM subjects. 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.

The British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM aim to support access to postgraduate education for women who can demonstrate their need for financial support and who wish to inspire future generations of women to pursue careers in STEM.

The scholarship covers:

• tuition fees
• a monthly stipend of £1,731 per month (for up to 12 months) to cover living costs, including accommodation
• IELTS exam fee (for scholars without a valid test of English)
• return economy-class travel from home country to the UK
• visa and insurance/NHS surcharge costs
• study related costs

'I needed financial aid; I couldn’t afford to study in the UK and pay the fees as well as the living costs. The scholarship also aligned with my passion for working in STEM. I liked that it promoted women’s empowerment.' —Basrah Bilal, Women in STEM Scholar 2023

In order to apply for this award, you must submit a separate scholarship application. You must also have first applied for one of the below one-year master's programmes for 2026 entry:

• MSc Biotechnology (Sustainable Biotechnologies)
• MSc Biotechnology (Healthcare Biotechnologies)
• MSc Artificial Intelligence
• MSc Sustainable Energy Engineering
• MSc Robotics and Autonomous Systems
• MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering

Please note, these awards are available for our standalone master's courses only and do not include our pre-sessional courses.

To be eligible for the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM, you must:

• be a woman, as identified under UK legislation ¹
• hold a valid passport or recognised international travel document from one of the eligible countries listed, and be able to obtain a VISA using the documentation you hold. You must also be a permanent resident of one of the following eligible countries:
  • Kazakhstan
  • Uzbekistan
  • Turkey
  • Azerbaijan
  • Albania
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Kosovo
  • Montenegro
  • North Macedonia
  • Serbia
• have applied for one of our eligible master's course listed above for September 2026 entry
• have achieved a high second-class or first-class bachelor's honours degree or international equivalent in your undergraduate study
• demonstrate a strong case for financial support/socio-economic need
• return to your country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after your scholarship award has ended
• be active in the STEM field with work experience or with a proven interest in the proposed subject area

Preference will be given to candidates who have not had any significant international exposure or previously studied in the UK.

You are not eligible for the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM if you:

• hold dual British citizenship
• are an employee, a former employee, or relative ² of an employee of His Majesty’s Government or the British Council in the eligible countries

Explore full eligibility details.

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. They build connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. They work with people in over 200 countries and territories and have offices in more than 100 countries. Founded in 1934, they are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. The British Council receive core funding through the UK government, primarily through a Grant-in Aid from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).