Women in STEM scholarships

The British Council has launched the seventh year of Women in STEM Scholarships, as part of the Going Global Partnerships programme.  

For the 2027-28 academic year, the eligible countries will be for one of the following cohorts*. 

1. South Asia Women Cohort (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka)

2. Wider Europe Cohort (Kazakhstan and Turkey) 

3. Brazil Cohort

*Important: The confirmation on the eligible countries will be announced and confirmed by the end of this year. Please check again this page for final confirmation of eligible countries around late December.

The Women in STEM Scholarships provide support for women studying towards a one-year Master’s degree commencing in autumn 2027-28.

Eligibility criteria

To apply for a Women in STEM Scholarship, you must:

• Be a woman, as defined under UK legislation (* Applicants must be able to confirm their legal sex as female, evidenced by passport or other official. If you are awarded the scholarship, this will be a condition of acceptance)  

• Be a permanent resident of, and hold a valid passport or recognised international travel document from one of the eligible countries listed, and being able to obtain a UK visa using the documentation they hold

• Agree to return to the country of your citizenship or residence for a minimum of two after the scholarship ends, except in very exceptional circumstances where return would be impossible or unsafe

• Meet the English language requirement for your programme at Imperial College London. Applicants who are awarded this scholarship will be required to have met College English entry requirements (Pre-sessional English courses are not supported by this programme) by 30 June 2027

• Have applied to study at Imperial College London before your scholarship application can be considered and have received an offer of admissions to study for one of the eligible courses by 5 pm (UK local time) by 3 March 2027

• Have completed your degree or have all components of your degree that will enable you to gain entry onto a postgraduate programme at Imperial College London in the Autumn 2027-28. Applicants must meet the academic entry requirement for admissions before the start of the UK academic year

• Be available to commence your studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in the Autumn 2027-28

• Demonstrate 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 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

• 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 programme area you are applying for

• Demonstrate that you are willing to contribute in the future to capacity-building and socio-economic advancement through the benefits achieved after graduating from Imperial College London and returning your home country

• Demonstrate in your application a plan and passion to engage other women and girls in STEM from your home country

• Agree to maintain contact with the British Council and act as an ambassador for the UK and engage with activities as part of a Women in STEM Scholarship alumnus during and after your study in the UK. Any involvement in these activities during your study in the UK will take up no more than five hours per term

Additional Eligibility Criteria

• If any of the following points are applicable to you, you are not eligible for the Women in STEM Scholarship:

1. You hold dual British Citizenship

2. Are an employee, a former employee, or relative (*) of an employee of His Majesty’s Government or the British Council in the eligible countries. 

(*) Relatives are defined as parents or stepparents, siblings or stepsiblings, children or stepchildren, spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (where the couple have been in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years 

Course specific information