Women in STEM Scholarships

The University of Manchester is proud to offer five fully funded scholarships to women from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka completing specific master's courses in STEM subjects.

Developed by the British Council, the scholarships provide funding for women from eligible countries to complete a one-year master's degree in the UK.  

Since 2020, the British Council has delivered the programme in partnership with selected UK universities and research institutions and has awarded over 300 scholarships. 

Key dates

Applications for the Women in STEM scholarships 2026-27 will open in early 2026 with a scholarship application form emailed to all relevant offer holders. The deadline for applications is 30 April 2026. The University of Manchester will aim to notify successful applicants by 12 June 2026. 

The scholarship covers

• Tuition fees.  
• Up to 12-months monthly stipend at the rate of £1,731.67 per month to cover costs of living, including accommodation.
• IELTS exam fee (for scholars without a valid test of English).  
• Return economy-class travel from home country to UK (final decision on flight selection will be the responsibility of The University of Manchester)  
• Study-related costs, such as essential travel, materials, equipment, thesis printing etc.* 
• Visa and insurance/NHS surcharge costs.  
• Ad hoc costs (heavy baggage allowance etc.). * 
• Reasonable adjustments costs for scholars with disabilities.  

*Please note that expenditure that may be included under ‘study-related’ and ‘ad hoc’ costs is subject to approval of The University of Manchester and that the University anticipates that the cost of laptops will be covered from the monthly stipend rate detailed above. 

To be eligible for the Women in STEM scholarships offered by The University of Manchester you need to: 

• Be a woman, as defined under UK legislation*.
• 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 you hold**. 
• Agree to return to your 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.
• Meet The University of Manchester’s entry requirements, including academic equivalent qualifications and English language proficiency. 
• 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. 
• Demonstrate 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*** that duplicates the core benefits of the scholarship. Private savings that can top up the scholarship is permitted. 
• Indicate your preference for course and institution if applying to multiple institutions. 
• Be motivated and academically able to follow and benefit from a UK postgraduate taught course. 
• Be active in the STEM field with work experience or with a proven interest in the proposed subject area. 
• Be willing to contribute to capacity-building and socio-economic advancement in your home country after graduating from the Master’s course in the UK. 
• 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. 
• Demonstrate a plan and a passion to engage other women and girls in STEM from their home country. 
• 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. 

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. 

* 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. 

**  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. 

*** 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. 

You will not be eligible for a Women in STEM scholarship if you:   

• Hold dual British citizenship.
• Are an employee, a former employee, or relative ****  of an employee of His Majesty’s Government or the British Council in the eligible countries. 

(****) Relatives are defined as parents or stepparents, siblings or stepsiblings, children or stepchildren, spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (where the couple have been in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years).