The scholarship applications are open between March-May 2023 and will support over 100 women globally to continue their STEM studies at UK universities
KUALA LUMPUR, 22 FEBRUARY – The British Council is pleased to announce that our scholarships for women in STEM are back for a third year. The British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM support women wishing to pursue postgraduate study in science, technology, engineering or maths at a university in the UK.
This prestigious scholarship will allow over 100 women from selected countries including from South Asia, East Asia, Wider Europe and the Americas to obtain a Master’s degree or an Early Academic Fellowship from a UK university, giving them the opportunity to further develop their careers in STEM subjects.
Partnering with 21 universities across the UK, this scholarship scheme includes tuition fees, a monthly stipend, travel costs, visa and health coverage fees. The scholarship is also open to women with dependants to apply, with extra support available.
The last cohort of 120 British Council scholars enrolled in their chosen STEM course last September.
Women from the East Asia region must be from one of the following eligible countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand or Vietnam. Eligible applicants from East Asia must apply directly to the following universities of their interest: University of Strathclyde, Newcastle University and Middlesex University for a Master’s degree, and Aston University and Middlesex University for early academic fellowships.
Commenting on the importance of STEM scholarships for women, Prabha Sundram, Head of Education for British Council Malaysia said: ‘“The field of STEM is critical for innovation, for addressing environmental and health concerns, and for economic advancement. However, it is also the field with the most global and persistent issues of under-representation and marginalisation of women and where the systematic under-valuing of women’s work has been demonstrated in a host of rigorous research studies.”
She further added, “The UK has a world-renowned higher education sector that is truly international. These scholarships will enable talented Malaysian women to take up a life-changing opportunity to develop their careers in their chosen STEM fields, and then harness the experience to make a greater impact for good when they return home.”
As one of four Malaysian candidates who received the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM in 2021, Debbie Ann Loh studied for an MSc in International Public Health at the Liverpool John Moores University. Sharing her experience in the UK, Loh said: “My lecturers bring with them experiences of working in various settings and regions, which has lent much depth to our learning and thinking globally. Our research supervisors have also helped widen my connections with those involved in public health and policy at international levels. This has been instrumental in helping me experience first-hand how public health integrates with various fields within and beyond STEM.”
For more information, including a full list of participating UK universities and available courses, please visit: www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-abroad/in-uk/scholarship-women-stem
Applications are open for the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM between March and May 2023. Application deadlines vary depending on the UK institution.
FAQ
What does the Scholarship scheme cover?
The British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM includes tuition fees, stipend, travel costs, visa and health coverage fees. The scholarship also has a special support for mothers.
When is the deadline to apply?
Application deadlines for chosen courses vary, depending on the UK institution – but are between March and May 2023. Please ensure you check carefully on the website of your chosen university for full details of key dates and their application process. Further information is available on the website.
Can women with children apply to the scholarship?
Yes, special support will be given to women travelling with dependent children.
Where can I find more information regarding the scholarship?
You can visit our British Council webpage that contains general information about the scholarship, as also the links to each participating university: www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-abroad/in-uk/scholarship-women-stem
Who can I contact regarding the scholarship?
Each university has a link and a named contact. All details are provided on the scholarship web page. If you wish to contact the British Council you can send an email to [email protected]
Which masters are included in the scheme?
Each university has published a list of masters that scholars can apply to. Please refer to the web page of the university for the full list of programmes available.
Is there an age limit to apply?
No, there is no age limit for this scholarship.
Which are the eligible countries?
You have to be a citizen of one of the following countries to apply:
For both Master’s Scholarships and Early Academic Fellowships: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam
For Masters Scholarships only: Brazil, Egypt, Mexico, Peru, Turkey, Ukraine.
How many scholarships are there?
There are over 100 scholarships available for courses starting in September 2023.
If I did my undergrad degree in the UK, can I apply for the scholarship to do my master’s degree?
No, this scholarship is only available for women that have not previously studied in the UK.
About the British Council
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021–22 we reached 650 million people.
In 2023, the British Council in Malaysia is marking its 75th anniversary, celebrating our commitment to building connections between the UK and Malaysia.