Applications for the British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM 2022 are open

Applications for the British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM are now open. Held for the second year running, the programme sees 26 UK universities partnering with the British Council for a scholarship to study a master’s or an early academic fellowship in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) programme at a leading UK university.

Women are often underrepresented in STEM fields. The US Census Bureau, for instance, found that women in STEM only made up 27% of STEM workers in 2019. In Australia, the number of women in STEM-qualified occupations rose from approximately 139,000 in 2009 to 205,000 in 2020. While data shows that women are making gains in STEM, more needs to be done. 

For those with interest in the field, here’s what you should know about the British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM.

Applicants must display a keen interest to engage other women in STEM from their home country. Source: Alain Jocard/Pool/AFP

British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM eligibility 

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be a woman or identify as one
• Be a passport and permanent resident of the eligible countries listed on the British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM website
• Have submitted an application for postgraduate study at one of the UK university partners
• Have completed all components of an undergraduate degree that will enable them to enrol into a postgraduate programme at a UK university partner by the time they submit their application and be due to start their postgraduate programme in the UK during 2022
• Have not previously studied at degree level or higher in the UK or lived recently in the UK
• Meet the English language requirement of the UK university
• Demonstrate case for financial support via a means-test conducted by the UK university partner
• Return to their country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after their scholarship programme has ended

Applicants are not eligible for a British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM if they hold dual British citizenship.

Prospective scholars need to also show that they are active in the field with work experience and provide future contributions to capacity-building and socio-economic advancement through the benefits achieved after graduating from UK higher education and returning to their home country. 

They also need to display a keen interest to engage other women in STEM from their home country. For more details on eligibility for the Master’s Scholarships and Early Academic Fellowships, click here.

Country-specific scholarship details 

Women from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka can apply for a master’s in data science, environmental science, engineering, public health systems, information technology, renewable energy & energy management, project management from 10 different UK universities. They can also apply for an Early Academic Fellowship with three UK universities.

Citizens from Brazil, Mexico and Peru (applicants from Peru will be accepted for Imperial College London only) can apply for a master’s in engineering, climate change, public health, and environmental science at five partner universities in the UK.

Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam can apply for a master’s in climate change, healthcare management, automation, or water engineering from four partner universities. They can also apply for the Early Academic Fellowship with three partner universities.

Those from Egypt, Turkey and Ukraine can only apply for master’s programmes. Click here for more details.

How to apply and deadline

Applicants should be made directly to the participating universities as each institution has its own process. Deadlines vary between universities, but it’s typically between Feb. 14 to April 10, 2022. 

Applications should be made directly to the participating UK universities. Do note that application deadlines vary between courses, but range from Feb. 14, 2022 to April 10, 2022.