British Council Women in STEM Scholarships 2025-26
The gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions is well documented. Not only do women make up a small fraction of the workforce and research teams in STEM, but they are also published less, paid less and are less likely to reach positions of leadership than their male counterparts, despite being proven to be on average 8% more productive.
Access to education is a contributing factor leading to the underrepresentation of women in STEM. Working in partnership with selected UK universities, the British Council’s Women in STEM scholarship programme is designed to help address this situation by providing opportunities for women to continue with their studies through funding for a one-year master’s degree in the UK. The programme is in its fifth consecutive year, having awarded over 400 scholarships to date.
Scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year are now open:
We are working with selected UK universities to provide scholarships for women across 24 countries/territories. Those who successfully secure a scholarship will benefit from:
- academic prestige of attending a leading UK university
- economic support including tuition fees, living stipend, travel costs, visa and health coverage fees
- English language support (IELTS) – please note that the costs of applying for the IELTS exam will be reimbursed to successful applicants only.
Who can apply?
This scholarship is open to women and anyone identifying as a woman. They must be a passport holder and permanent resident of one of the eligible countries/territories listed below and must also:
- have an undergraduate degree that will enable them to gain access onto one of the pre-selected postgraduate courses at a UK university (for master’s level)
- meet the level of English required for postgraduate study at a UK university
- demonstrate a need for financial support
- be active in the field with work experience or a proven interest in their subject area
- be passionate about their course of study and willing to engage as committed British Council scholarship alumni
- be able to take up a course of study in the UK for the next academic year, from September/October 2025.