What is the British Council Scholarship?
The British Council Scholarship is an initiative launched by the British Council in partnership with UK universities to support women from around the world who are interested in pursuing a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The scholarship provides full tuition fees, monthly stipends, a return economy class ticket, IELTS exam fee, visa application, NHS surcharge, key study materials, and other costs for female students from South East Asia. The aim of the scholarship is to encourage more women to pursue and excel in STEM fields and to create opportunities for women to reach positions of leadership. The British Council hopes that this scholarship will inspire and empower the next generation of female scientists, engineers, and innovators.
What are the requirements for applying for a British Council Scholarship?
Step 1: Ensure Eligibility
To be eligible for the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM, you must:
- Be a woman (cis-gendered or trans) or identify as non-binary
- Be a passport holder and permanent resident of one of the following eligible countries: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, or Vietnam
- Have applied for one of our eligible master’s courses listed above for 2023 entry
- Have achieved at least a strong second-class bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent in your undergraduate study
- Have not previously studied at degree level or higher in the UK or lived recently in the UK
- Demonstrate a strong case for financial support
- Return to your country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after your scholarship award has ended
- Not hold dual British citizenship
- Not be an employee, a former employee, or relative* of an employee of His Majesty’s Government (including British Embassies/High Commissions; the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy; Department for International Trade; the Ministry of Defence; and the Home Office).
- Not be an employee, a former employee, or relative* of an employee of the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM
- Not currently be in receipt of financial support or funding towards your study programme in the UK from any other source
- Not have previously studied in the UK with funding from a UK Government-funded scholarship or a UK institutional scholarship/financial bursary
Step 2: Meet Entry Requirements
- Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2023
- Meet the entry requirement for a postgraduate programme at Middlesex University by holding an undergraduate degree or equivalent (by the time you submit your application)
- Meet the English language requirement for your programme or pass the Pre-Sessional English Programme at Middlesex University
Step 3: Demonstrate Financial Need, Passion and Interest
- Demonstrate a case for financial need
- Demonstrate your interest in the programme you are applying for and that you are active in your chosen field
- Demonstrate a passion for and an intention to engage other women and girls from your home country in STEM
- Demonstrate that you are willing to contribute in the future to capacity-building and socio-economic advancement through the benefits achieved after graduating from your degree at Middlesex
Step 4: Agree to Maintain Contact
- Agree to maintain contact with the British Council and act as an ambassador for the UK. This will mean taking part in activities, both during and after your studies in the UK (no more than five hours per term).
What areas of study are covered by the British Council Scholarship?
The British Council Scholarship covers full tuition fees, monthly stipends, a return economy class ticket and other costs such as IELTS exam fee, visa application, NHS surcharge and key study materials for female students from South East Asia interested in pursuing master’s studies in the fields of: Health and Life Science; Climate Change, Environment & Risk Reduction; Energy Transition; Industry 4.0/Digital Transformation and Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure. Eligible courses include MSc Pollution and Environmental Control, MSc Renewable Energy and Clean Technology, MSc Geosciences for Sustainable Energy, MSc Subsurface Energy Engineering, MSc Biomaterials, MSc Clinical Biochemistry, MSc Genomic Medicine, MSc Medical Imaging Science, MSc Medical and Molecular Virology, MSc Model-based Drug Development and MSc Molecular Pathology.
FAQs
What is the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM Programme?
The British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM Programme is an initiative launched in partnership with universities across the UK to provide financial support and opportunity to women with a STEM background. It is aimed at helping to address the gender imbalance that is still present in STEM fields, as fewer than 30 percent of researchers worldwide are women and only 30 percent of female students select STEM-related fields in higher education. The scholarships cover tuition fees, a monthly stipend of £1,236 per month to cover living costs, IELTS exam fee, return flight to the UK, visa, and insurance/NHS surcharge costs. It aims to empower and inspire the next generation of female leaders in the STEM fields.
What are the requirements to be eligible for the STEM Programme?
In order to be eligible for the STEM Programme, you must:
- Be a woman.
- Be a passport holder and permanent resident of one of the eligible countries for South Asia: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan or Sri Lanka.
- Have recently completed a research or terminal academic qualification (PhD or equivalent) and not be in an established academic post with a research-related role or function.
- 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 partner.
- Demonstrate a case for financial support.
- Show that you are active in the field with work experience or with a proven interest in the programme area you are applying for.
- Show that you are motivated and academically able to follow and benefit from a UK postgraduate taught course.
- Show how the knowledge/skills acquired in studying a UK degree will help you to contribute to the development and socio-economic advancement of your home country.
- Demonstrate a plan and passion to engage other women and girls in STEM from your home country.
- Agree to have your personal data shared with the British Council, as a condition of applying for the bursary.
- Agree to maintain contact with the British Council and act as an ambassador for the UK, if you are awarded a scholarship, and engage in activities as part of a British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM alumnus during and after your study in the UK (with involvement taking up no more than five hours per term).
How can I apply for the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM Programme?
Step 1: Check your eligibility
In order to apply for this scholarship, you must meet all of the criteria stated above. You must be a woman (cis-gendered or trans) or identify as non-binary, be a passport holder and permanent resident of Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, or Vietnam, have applied for one of the eligible master’s courses listed above for 2023 entry, have achieved at least a strong second-class bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent in your undergraduate study, and have not previously studied at degree level or higher in the UK or lived recently in the UK. If you do not meet any of these criteria, then you are not eligible for the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM.
Step 2: Compile your application
Your application should include the following elements:
- Your CV
- Your academic transcripts
- Your personal statement
- A 1-page financial statement
- Proof of citizenship
- Proof of degree
- A letter of reference
Step 3: Submit your application
Once you have compiled all the necessary documents, you can submit your application online by visiting the British Council website.
Step 4: Wait for the response
Once you have submitted your application, you will be contacted by the British Council regarding the outcome of your application.
What is the application process for the STEM Programme?
The application process for the British Council Scholarships and Fellowships for Women in STEM programme is as follows:
- Submit an application form at https://forms.office.com/e/k7yah2jLH8 which includes a letter of application containing all the required personal information and stating which of the above projects you are applying to join. This should include why you think that you are a particularly suitable candidate for this fellowship and why you wish to pursue your research within the specific research group from the list in the table above.
- Provide an Academic CV and a letter of recommendation from your PhD institution, preferably from your supervisor or advisor, addressing your skills and suitability for the placement.
- Agree to your personal data being shared with the British Council as a condition of applying for the bursary.
- Demonstrate in your application that you are active in the field with work experience or with a proven interest in the programme area you are applying for, willing to contribute towards future capacity-building and socio-economic advancement on return to your home country, and have a plan and passion to engage other women and girls in STEM from your home country.
- If you are awarded a scholarship, 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 (no more than five hours per term).