The British Council’s offer of scholarships to support women in STEM is back again for the third time.
The offer supports women wishing to pursue postgraduate study in science, technology, engineering, or maths (STEM) at a university in the UK.
This prestigious scholarship will allow over 100 women from selected countries including from South Asia, East Asia, Wider Europe, and the Americas to obtain a Master’s degree or an Early Academic Fellowship from a UK university, giving them the opportunity to further develop their careers in STEM subjects.
Partnering with 21 universities across the UK, this scholarship scheme includes tuition fees, a monthly stipend, travel costs, and visa, and health coverage fees. The scholarship is also open to women with dependants to apply, with extra support available.
The last cohort of 120 British Council scholars enrolled in their chosen STEM course last September.
Women from the East Asia region must be from one of the following eligible countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, or Vietnam. Eligible applicants from East Asia must apply directly to the following universities of their interest: the University of Strathclyde, Newcastle University, and Middlesex University for a Master’s degree, and Aston University and Middlesex University for early academic fellowships.
Commenting on the importance of STEM scholarships for women, Prabha Sundram, Head of Education for British Council Malaysia said: ‘“The field of STEM is critical for innovation, for addressing environmental and health concerns, and for economic advancement. However, it is also the field with the most global and persistent issues of under-representation and marginalisation of women and where the systematic under-valuing of women’s work has been demonstrated in a host of rigorous research studies.”
She further added, “The UK has a world-renowned higher education sector that is truly international. These scholarships will enable talented Malaysian women to take up a life-changing opportunity to develop their careers in their chosen STEM fields, and then harness the experience to make a greater impact for good when they return home.”
As one of four Malaysian candidates who received the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM in 2021, Debbie Ann Loh studied for an MSc in International Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University. Sharing her experience in the UK, Loh said: “My lecturers bring with them experiences of working in various settings and regions, which has lent much depth to our learning and thinking globally. Our research supervisors have also helped widen my connections with those involved in public health and policy at international levels. This has been instrumental in helping me experience first-hand how public health integrates with various fields within and beyond STEM.”
For more information, including a full list of participating UK universities and available courses, please visit: www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-abroad/in-uk/scholarship-women-stem
Applications are open for the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM between March and May 2023. Application deadlines vary depending on the UK institution.
