British Council Women in STEM Scholarships 2027 - The Only Fully Funded BC Programme

This One Is Actually Fully Funded

Unlike GREAT Scholarships, Women in STEM covers everything: full tuition, living costs, flights, visa fees, and even a childcare stipend for mothers. This is the British Council programme worth getting excited about.

Key Facts

£40K+

Per scholar value

Scholarships available

100%

Costs covered

STEM

Fields only

What's Covered

✓ Full tuition fees

100% of tuition at your partner university

✓ Monthly living stipend

Enough to cover rent, food, transport

✓ Return flights

Economy class flights to/from the UK

✓ Visa & NHS surcharge

Both covered in full

✓ Childcare stipend

Additional funding for scholars who are mothers

✓ Study materials

Allowance for books and equipment

Who Can Apply

Gender: Must identify as a woman. This is strictly enforced.

Subject: Must be studying a STEM subject (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics). Medicine, health sciences, and environmental science often qualify too.

Background: Must come from a disadvantaged or underrepresented context. This could mean economic hardship, first-generation student, disability, ethnic minority, or coming from a region with limited access to higher education.

Level: Master's programmes at designated partner universities in the UK.

Commitment: Must demonstrate leadership potential and a plan to promote gender equality in STEM in your home country after graduation.

How to Apply

Check the partner university list

Not all UK universities participate. Check the British Council website for the current list of Women in STEM partner universities and eligible STEM programmes.

Apply for the Master's programme

Submit your university application first. You need to be accepted (or at least have applied) to be considered for the scholarship.

Complete the Women in STEM scholarship form

Separate application form on the university's scholarship portal. Include your personal background story, STEM motivation, and gender equality commitment.

Selection & interview (some universities)

Some universities interview shortlisted candidates. Selection is joint between the university and British Council. Results typically 2-3 months after deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligible countries change each year. The programme typically targets women from low and middle-income countries, but check the latest list on the British Council website.

Broadly: low family income, first in family to attend university, disability, living in a remote/rural area, ethnic/religious minority, refugee status, or any other significant barrier to education. You'll need to describe your specific circumstances in the application.

You can apply for both, but you typically can't hold both simultaneously at the same university. Apply for Women in STEM as your primary target (it's fully funded), and GREAT as a backup.

The childcare stipend is designed to help with childcare costs while you study. UK nursery fees can be £1,000-1,500/month in cities, so the stipend may not cover everything, but it significantly reduces the burden. Contact your specific university for exact amounts.

Women in STEM Scholarships