| Deadline: April 30, 2026 |
British Council Women in STEM Scholarships 2026–27 are fully funded postgraduate scholarship opportunities offered by the British Council to empower talented women from socioeconomically and disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue a one-year master’s degree in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) at top UK universities.
British Council Women in STEM Scholarships 2026–27
Overview of Women in STEM Scholarships
The British Council Women in STEM scholarship programme aims to address the gender gap in STEM fields, strengthen female leadership in science and innovation, and promote a more inclusive and gender-representative sector globally. While women make up a small fraction of the STEM workforce and research teams worldwide, this scholarship is designed to help talented women overcome financial barriers and excel in their fields.
The programme supports women who are passionate about STEM, have completed an undergraduate degree, and are committed to contributing to research, innovation, and development in their home countries after completing their studies.
Scholarships Benefits
Recipients of the British Council Women in STEM Scholarships receive comprehensive financial support for the duration of their one-year master’s programme, including:
Full scholarships
This includes monetary support, tuition fees, living stipends, travel and visa costs, health coverage fees and English language support. Each scholarship is worth a minimum of £40,000.
Access to world-leading science and research universities
UK universities are globally recognised for science and research excellence. The UK is ranked second in the world for science and research.
Career opportunities
The scholarships help enhance women’s careers in STEM and enable them to promote research and innovation in their home country through their exposure to expertise in the UK’s renowned STEM fields.
Alumni networks
The scholarships provide a long-lasting platform to connect with UK alumni.
The scholarship programme is entering its sixth consecutive year. To date, the programme has engaged 43 leading UK universities and awarded around 500 scholarships.
Eligibility Criteria UK Master’s Scholarship
The eligibility criteria for those applying for a Women in STEM scholarship are set out below. They have been approved by the British Council and all participating partners and universities for the 2026-27 British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM.
- British Council Women in STEM Scholarships (see list of eligible countries for 2026-27 academic year)
- ASEAN Women in STEM
- Scholarships for Women in Hong Kong (supported by Sir Tang Shiu Kin Education Trust)
- Women in STEM Scholarships, Mexico (supported by Fundación Coppel and COPOCYT)
- Women in STEM Scholarships, Brazil
- any other Women in STEM branded cohorts funded under this scheme.
Scholars must:
- Be a woman, as defined under UK legislation. [1]
- Be a permanent resident of, and hold a valid passport or recognised international travel document from, one of the eligible countries listed, and be able to obtain a UK visa using the documentation they hold. [2] Applicants 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.
- Meet the entry requirement of the UK higher education institution for the course they apply for, including academic equivalent qualifications and English language proficiency.
- Have completed all components of an undergraduate degree at the time of submitting the application for the scholarship. Students in the final year of their undergraduate degree may be considered if they will have completed their degree in time for enrolment to the master’s course in the UK and meet all matriculation requirements.
- Demonstrate a case for financial support. Applicants must not be able to privately fund their UK studies and must not be in receipt of financial support from any other source [3] that duplicates the core benefits of the scholarship. Private savings that can top up the scholarship is permitted.
- Preference will be given to candidates who have not had any significant international exposure or previously studied in the UK. This includes distance learning at UK universities or study at UK branch campuses abroad. We define significant experience as a period of study over one month, or enrolment on or completion of an international degree course. Short term visits such as study tours or conferences are permitted.
- Indicate their preference for course and institution if applying to multiple institutions.
- Be motivated and academically able to follow and benefit from a UK postgraduate taught course.
- Be active in the STEM field with work experience or with a proven interest in the proposed subject area.
- Be willing to contribute to capacity-building and socio-economic advancement in their home country after graduating from the master’s course in the UK.
- Agree to maintain contact with the British Council and act as an ambassador for the UK, and engage with Alumni UK activities during and after their master’s course in the UK.
- Demonstrate a plan and a passion to engage other women and girls in STEM from their home country.
- Agree to their personal data being shared with the British Council for assessment and purposes of promotional activity, as a condition of applying for the scholarship.
Application for 2026–27 Now Open
Applications for the 2026–27 academic year are currently open. The British Council is working with selected UK universities to offer up to 90 scholarships to women across approximately 30 countries and territories. Eligible applicants can apply to multiple universities, but must submit separate applications for each institution they choose.
Participating regions include:
- Americas — e.g., University of Warwick, Aston University.
- South Asia — e.g., Brunel University, University of Glasgow, University of Manchester.
- Middle East & North Africa — e.g., Imperial College London, London South Bank University.
- Wider Europe — e.g., University of Bath, Durham University, University of Bradford.
Applicants should carefully read country-specific eligibility criteria and application deadlines, as these vary by region and institution.
How to Apply British Council Women in STEM Scholarships
- Check the list of participating universities and your country’s eligibility — available on the British Council Women in STEM scholarship page: https://www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-abroad/in-uk/scholarship-women-stem/apply-scholarship.
- Visit the official website for your country or territory’s British Council page to find the relevant university links.
- Apply directly through each UK university’s admissions portal for your desired programme — you may apply to multiple universities.
- Follow the university’s application process and ensure all supporting documents (academic transcripts, personal statement, CV, etc.) are complete.
- If successful, you will be contacted by the university with further scholarship and admission details.
Website
To learn more about the British Council Women in STEM Scholarships 2026–27, please visit the official website
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