The British Council Women in STEM scholarship application round for the 2026–27 academic year is closed. The programme supports eligible women pursuing one-year master’s degrees at UK universities and research institutions. If you applied, contact the university directly for your individual application status: British Council pages still show a June 2026 shortlisting notice, but that date has passed and those pages do not establish the cohort-wide outcome.
Is the British Council Women in STEM scholarship fully funded?
The British Council describes the programme as funding one-year master’s study in the UK. Its global programme page lists tuition fees, living stipends, travel and visa costs, health coverage fees, and English-language support among the benefits. The precise award terms can differ by region, institution, course, and recipient, so “fully funded” should not be taken to mean that every award provides the same cash amount or covers costs in exactly the same way. Check the award terms for the specific university and cohort before relying on a particular benefit.
The British Council’s Thailand page states a minimum scholarship value of £40,000 for that regional programme. That figure is specific to the Thailand page and should not be assumed for other cohorts without confirmation.
What does the scholarship cover?
- Tuition: tuition fees are included among the benefits listed on the British Council global programme page.
- Living costs: the programme lists a living stipend; the amount and terms are not stated as uniform across all awards.
- Travel and visa: travel and visa costs are listed as supported costs, subject to the relevant award terms.
- Health coverage: health coverage fees are included in the global benefit list.
- English-language support: the programme lists support for English-language needs. Applicants must still meet the chosen university’s English requirements.
Read the university’s scholarship information for what it pays, how payments or reimbursements work, and which costs remain the student’s responsibility.
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Who is eligible for the British Council STEM scholarship?
The 2026–27 eligibility criteria set a shared framework, but the country, course, and university rules for a specific cohort also apply. Applicants should check both the British Council’s 2026–27 eligibility criteria and their chosen institution’s requirements.
Country, residence, and identity
Applicants must meet the guidelines’ definition of a woman, be permanent residents of and hold a valid passport or recognized international travel document from an eligible country, and be able to obtain a UK visa. Eligible countries and any additional regional conditions depend on the cohort.
Education and English requirements
Applicants generally must have completed an undergraduate degree by the time they apply. Final-year students may be considered if they finish in time for course enrollment and satisfy the university’s matriculation requirements. Applicants must also meet the chosen university’s academic and English-language entry requirements.
Financial need and other support
Applicants must demonstrate financial need and may not have other support that duplicates the scholarship’s core benefits. The criteria allow applicants to use private savings to supplement the award.
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STEM experience and contribution
The criteria look for relevant STEM work experience or demonstrated interest, and a willingness to contribute to capacity-building in the applicant’s home country. They also ask scholars to engage with the alumni network and support outreach to women and girls in STEM. Applicants should expect to commit to returning to their country of citizenship or residence for at least two years after the scholarship. The criteria provide an exception for very exceptional circumstances in which return would be impossible or unsafe.
Prior international or UK study
Applicants without significant international exposure or prior study in the UK receive preference. This is a preference, not a blanket statement that all prior international experience makes a person ineligible.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do applications and participating universities work?
Candidates apply directly to participating universities, not through one universal application. You may apply to more than one institution, but you must submit a separate application to each. Deadlines, scholarship procedures, eligible courses, and admission requirements vary by university and cohort.
The ASEAN–UK cohort is one example, not a global list of participating institutions: its 2026–27 page names Cranfield University and the University of Stirling for selected courses and says applicants from all 11 ASEAN member states can apply to that cohort. Other applicants should use their own country or regional page and the relevant university’s course and scholarship pages rather than relying on this example.
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To compare eligible options, check these details for each university:
- Whether your country and residence qualify for that particular cohort.
- Whether your intended master’s course appears on that university’s eligible course list.
- How the award handles tuition, stipend, travel, visa, health, and language costs.
- The university’s admission and scholarship application steps, documents, and deadlines.
- Academic fit, location, and any post-study return or other obligations.
The British Council reports that 43 UK universities have engaged with the programme and that more than 500 scholarships have been awarded to date. These are cumulative programme figures; the current global page does not state a date for them, and they are not the number of universities participating or awards available in 2026–27.
Are applications open for 2026–27, and how can applicants check their status?
No. The British Council’s global programme and application pages state that the 2026–27 round is closed. Those pages also retain a notice saying applications are under review and shortlisting results would be communicated during the first week of June 2026. Because that date has passed, it is not a reliable statement of the present status. The pages do not confirm whether decisions were completed, delayed, or issued.
If you submitted an application, contact the university to which you applied for your individual status. Universities manage assessment and status communications, and applicants who applied to multiple institutions should contact each one separately.
For a future cohort, do not assume this round’s dates, participating institutions, course lists, or terms will carry over. Check the relevant British Council country or regional page and the university’s current scholarship information when the next application cycle is announced.
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