The gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions is well documented. Not only do women make up a small fraction of the workforce and research teams in STEM, they are also published less, paid less and are less likely to reach positions of leadership than their male counterparts, despite being proven to be on average eight per cent more productive.

About Women in STEM Scholarships 

We want to increase opportunities for women in STEM, strengthen female leadership in science and innovation, and promote a more diverse and gender-representative sector. 

Access to education is a leading factor that contributes to the underrepresentation of women in STEM. The British Council Women in STEM scholarship programme addresses this by providing funding for one-year master's degree programmes at top ranking universities and research institutions within the UK, for women from socioeconomically and disadvantaged contexts.   

The programme provides: 

  • Full scholarships – this includes monetary support, tuition fees, living stipends, travel and visa costs, health coverage fees and English language support. Each scholarship is worth a minimum of £40,000. 
  • Access to world-leading science and research universities – UK universities are globally recognised for science and research excellence. The UK is ranked second in the world for science and research.   
  • Career opportunities – the scholarships help enhance women’s careers in STEM and enable them to promote research and innovation in their home country through their exposure to expertise in the UK’s renowned STEM fields.   
  • Alumni networks – the scholarships provide a long-lasting platform to connect with UK alumni. 

The scholarship programme is entering its sixth consecutive year. To date, the programme has engaged 43 leading UK universities and awarded around 500 scholarships. 

Applications for scholarships for the 2026-27 academic year are now open.  

Apply for a scholarship 

We are working with two UK universities to provide a total of 10 scholarships (five per university) to women from Egypt. 

Imperial College London

Eligible one-year full-time Master's courses. The courses listed below are the only courses eligible for this scholarship:

Imperial Business School:

Faculty of Natural Sciences:

Faculty of Engineering:

London South Bank University 

Courses eligible for this scholarship:

The Women in STEM Scholarships support women studying a one-year Advanced Chemical Engineering MSc, Electrical and Electronic Engineering MSc or Mechanical Engineering MSc, starting in autumn 2026. 

Please use the links provided to visit the university websites and course information pages. These are the links you will use to apply directly to your chosen university. You can apply to more than one university, but you will need to apply to each university separately. 

Before applying, please ensure you read the information on eligibility criteria and the university application process carefully, as these may be different for each university. Deadlines for applications may also vary. 

After submitting an application, you will next hear directly from the university about the status of your application. For questions relating to your course(s) of interest, please contact the university in question. 

If you have any broader questions about the scholarships, or you are unable to contact your chosen university, please contact the British Council by emailing us.   

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