British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM

Application period opens
Tuesday 23 January 2024
Application period closes
Tuesday 30 April 2024
Entry
2024

Supported by British Council

The British Council and the University of St Andrews are jointly offering five full scholarships to Masters degree applicants. The programme supports women from eligible countries who are studying a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths) Master’s degree in the UK.

Eligible countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia.

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We build connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. Last year we reached over 80 million people directly and 791 million people overall including online, and through broadcasts and publications. Founded in 1934 we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. We receive a 15 per cent core funding grant from the UK government.

Value of award (per year)

The award covers full overseas tuition fees, a monthly maintenance allowance and a contribution towards travel, visa and other initial costs.

Duration of award

This award is paid for one year.

At what stage of my course application can I apply for this scholarship?

Please apply for the award after you have submitted your application for a place at St Andrews. You do not need to wait until you have received an offer of a place before applying for the award.

Application restrictions

Study level

Available to students studying at:

Postgraduate

Subjects

Available to students studying:

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths); refer to the eligible programmes listed in the ‘How to apply’ section.

Domicile for fee status

Overseas

Available to

Prospective students

Mode of study

Full time

Geographical criteria

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Uzbekistan

Additional criteria

  • You must be or identify as a woman.
  • You must be a passport holder and permanent resident of one of the eligible countries listed.
  • You must meet the entry requirement of the UK Higher Education Institution for the course you have applied for, including academic equivalents and English language.
  • You must have completed all components of an undergraduate degree at the time of submitting the application for the scholarship; British Council can consider final awards pending on a case-by-case basis.
  • You must not be in receipt of financial support or funding towards your study programme in the UK from any other source and not be able to privately fund your UK studies.
  • Preference may be given to candidates who have not had any international exposure prior to this scheme.
  • You have not previously studied at degree level or higher in the UK or lived recently in the UK. Distance learning at a UK university or study at a UK branch campus in another country will also be considered as studying in the UK.
  • 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.
  • 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 your studies in the UK.
  • Agree to return to their country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after their scholarship award has ended.

You are also required to show the following in the application form:

  • Indicate your preference for course and institution in the case of applying to multiple institutions.
  • You are active in the field with work experience or with a proven interest in the programme area you are applying for.
  • You are willing to demonstrate future contribution to capacity-building and socio-economic advancement through the benefits achieved after graduating from UK higher education and returning your home country.
  • You can demonstrate a plan and passion to engage other women and girls in STEM from your home country.
  • You agree to your personal data being shared with the British Council for purposes of assessment and promotional activity, as a condition of applying for the scholarship.
  • You can demonstrate a case for financial support / socio-economic need.

How to apply

This scholarship is available for application through the Scholarships and Funding catalogue in the Scholarships and Funding section of My Application.

After you have applied to one of the programmes listed below at the University of St Andrews, you can apply for scholarships and funding. You must allow at least two working days for processing and issue of your log in details before you can apply for this scholarship.

Eligible programmes

Application fee exemption

Women in STEM applicants do not need to pay the £50 application fee. At the point of submitting your application to St Andrews, please contact pgscholarships@st-andrews.ac.uk for further advice.

Terms and conditions

Please read the University of St Andrews scholarships terms and conditions (opens in new tab)

The British Council will make the final decision in respect of the scholarship. This means that the personal data, for the applicants nominated by the University, will be passed to the British Council as necessary to consider suitability for a scholarship.

If you are awarded a scholarship, you agree to maintain contact with the British Council and act as an ambassador for the UK and engage with activities as part of a British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM alumnus during and after your study in the UK.

The British Council's full terms and conditions of the Women in STEM scholarships will be shared with the shortlisted candidates.

When will I know the outcome?

The outcome of your scholarship application shortlisting will be available on "View my applications" in Scholarships and Funding by 12 June 2024.