Eligibility criteria for applicants

The eligibility criteria for those applying for a Women in STEM scholarship are set out below. They have been approved by the British Council and all participating partners and universities for the 2026-27 British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM.

 The eligibility criteria apply to:

• British Council Women in STEM Scholarships (see list of eligible countries for 2026-27 academic year, to be published in January 2026) 
• ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM
• Scholarships for Women in Hong Kong (supported by Sir Tang Shiu Kin Education Trust)
• Women in STEM Scholarships, Mexico (supported by Fundación Coppel and COPOCYT)
• Women in STEM Scholarships, Brazil (supported by TBC) 
• any other Women in STEM branded cohorts funded under this scheme.

Scholars must:

1. Be a woman, as defined under UK legislation. [1]
2. Be a permanent resident of, and hold a valid passport or recognised international travel document from, one of the eligible countries listed, and be able to obtain a UK visa using the documentation they hold. [2] Applicants must agree to return to their country of citizenship or residence for a minimum of two years after the scholarship ends, except in very exceptional circumstances where return would be impossible or unsafe.
3. Meet the entry requirement of the UK higher education institution for the course they apply for, including academic equivalent qualifications and English language proficiency.
4. Have completed all components of an undergraduate degree at the time of submitting the application for the scholarship. Students in the final year of their undergraduate degree may be considered if they will have completed their degree in time for enrolment to the master’s course in the UK and meet all matriculation requirements.
5. Demonstrate a 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 [3] that duplicates the core benefits of the scholarship. Private savings that can top up the scholarship is permitted.
6. 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.
7. Indicate their preference for course and institution if applying to multiple institutions.
8. Be motivated and academically able to follow and benefit from a UK postgraduate taught course.
9. Be active in the STEM field with work experience or with a proven interest in the proposed subject area.
10. Be willing to contribute to capacity-building and socio-economic advancement in their home country after graduating from the master’s course in the UK.
11. Agree to maintain contact with the British Council and act as an ambassador for the UK, and engage with Alumni UK activities during and after their master’s course in the UK.
12. Demonstrate a plan and a passion to engage other women and girls in STEM from their home country.
13. Agree to their personal data being shared with the British Council for assessment and purposes of promotional activity, as a condition of applying for the scholarship.

[1] Applicants must be able to confirm their legal sex as female, evidenced by passport or other official documentation, when requested by their institution. This will be a condition of acceptance.

[2]  This includes applicants who have refugee or stateless status, provided you meet the UK visa requirements under current immigration rules. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their legal status and provide documentation that enables them to travel to and from the UK.

[3] Additional awards may be allowed if they are aimed at enhancing academic or professional development, provided they do not replicate the Women in STEM scholarship’s provisions.

 Additional eligibility criteria for Scholarships for Women in Hong Kong

• An award is available in the following general study areas - economics, law, management, project planning, international relations, diplomacy, education, business administration, environmental studies, political science and social sciences. [1]
• Applicants must be permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Region of the People's Republic of China and hold a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region permanent identity card at the time of application.

[1] The broader subject eligibility reflects the priorities of the Sir Tang Shiu Kin Education Trust, which funds the programme and aims to address underrepresentation and support women’s advancement across a wide range of disciplines critical to Hong Kong’s development. 

Additional eligibility criteria for scholarship award supported by COPOCYT

Applicants for the scholarship award supported by COPOCYT must be from San Luis Potosi. 

Applicants will not be eligible if they:

·       Hold dual British citizenship.

·       Are an employee, a former employee, or relative [1] of an employee of His Majesty’s Government or the British Council in the eligible countries.