British Council scholarships programme to support women

The British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM supports women wishing to pursue their postgraduate study in science, technology, engineering or maths 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 globally-ranked UK university, giving them the opportunity to further develop their STEM careers, and as a result positively impact their communities.

According to data from the UN Scientific Education and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), fewer than 30 percent of researchers worldwide are women, and only 30 percent of female students select STEM-related fields in higher education. Globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in Information and Communications Technology (three percent), natural science, mathematics and statistics (five percent), and engineering, manufacturing and construction (eight percent).

Partnering with 19 universities across the UK, this global scholarship scheme includes tuition fees, a monthly stipend, travel costs, visa and health coverage fees, and is open to women who can demonstrate their need for financial support.

Women with dependants are also encouraged to apply, with extra support made available to them.

The last cohort of 120 scholars were enrolled for their chosen course last Autumn.

“My dream of studying in the UK was made possible thanks to the British Council women in STEM (WIS) scholarship programme and Goldsmiths, University of London,” said Dilanka Kamali Ratnayake, currently pursuing a master’s degree in Social Entrepreneurship.

Prospective candidates from Sri Lanka can apply for both the Master’s Scholarships and Early Academic Fellowships.

“The UK has a world-renowned higher education sector that is truly international,” said Orlando Edwards, Country Director at the British Council Sri Lanka.

“These scholarships will enable talented women to take up a life-changing opportunity to develop their careers in their chosen STEM fields, and then to harness the experience to make a greater impact for good when they return home. I would highly encourage women from Sri Lanka to apply for this opportunity at the earliest.”