STEM Scholarships in the UK for International Students

While the UK is one of the top destinations to study STEM, the high tuition fee and living expenses in the UK often serve as barriers to studying abroad. Here are the top STEM scholarships for international students looking forward to studying in the UK.

Studying in the UK as an international student can be expensive, especially when you are willing to pursue a STEM course. Hence, the UK government has an excellent STEM scholarship system for Indian students, making it one of the top destinations for studying abroad. There is a plethora of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Management (STEM) courses provided by UK universities that offer promising employability to international students.

However, the cost of studying in the UK and its high tuition fees add up to a large number of education loans which seems like a fortune to invest in education abroad. Keeping this in mind, the UK government has provided various STEM scholarships to candidates on the basis of their academic abilities as well as economic need. Check them out right here!

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Wish to study STEM courses in the UK? Consult our study abroad experts to get guidance on the application process to the top universities in the UK.

List of STEM Scholarships in the UK

There are various scholarships for international students when it comes to studying in the UK. However, some scholarships outshine others due to their generous grants, availability in large numbers, and flexibility during selection criteria.

The cost of living in the UK or the tuition fee that these STEM scholarships cover varies and depends on several factors such as the number of scholarships available, the number of students applying for the scholarship, and more. In addition to the public scholarship, various private organizations also provide merit and need-based scholarships to international students. Stem scholarships for international students in UK help the students with the cost of education.

There are also a few STEM scholarships for international students in the UK that cover all the expenses of studying in the UK, including travel expenses, tuition fees, and a monthly stipend depending on the verge cost of living. Some of the top STEM scholarships in the UK are listed below, along with their eligibility criteria, minimum scholarship amount, and participating universities.

We have curated a list of some of the top STEM scholarships for international students to study in the UK in the table below which contains information about the eligibility criteria, the minimum amount of scholarship, and the authorities providing the scholarship.

These are some of the top STEM scholarships available to Indian students. However, there are many other scholarships to study in the UK awarded by the universities and colleges as well, to international candidates on the basis of merit and economic background.

The amount of money available for scholarships varies and depends on the institution's funds. There are certain STEM scholarships for international students UK that cover entire tuition fees along with the living expenses as well. While other scholarships might cover some part of the tuition fee or the complete tuition fee.

The competition is higher when applying for government-funded scholarships in comparison to university-specific scholarships. Hence, students are advised to start their application process at least 10 to 12 months before the course intake.

Studying in the UK does not have to be expensive if you plan well in advance. These STEM scholarships for international students are a great way to reduce your total cost of study and make your experience of studying in the UK smooth. Offered to meritorious international students to help them fund their studies, these awards are either fully or partially funded, depending on factors such as eligibility criteria, the university, and the course of study.

Students should note that most of the scholarships are provided on the basis of a good academic score. However, various other criteria such as chosen destination, subject and level might also be considered. Some scholarships also consider students' extracurricular activities and volunteering during the assessment.

Every scholarship has its own selection criteria. While some of them can only be achieved by a mere application form, others require completing assignments and project work in order to be considered for them. Whatever may be the case, students should always be fully aware of the timeline and eligibility of the scholarship they wish to apply for. Also, do not hesitate to ask your queries to admissions team in case of any doubts.

British Council Women in STEM Scholarships in UK

Are you a woman with a degree or a PhD in a STEM field who is enthusiastic about your work? You could be awarded a scholarship or an early academic fellowship to pursue a master's degree in a scientific, technology, engineering, or mathematics programme at a prominent UK university.

The British Council Women in STEM Scholarships programme, now in its third year, collaborates with 19 UK universities to benefit women from the Americas, South Asia, East Asia, Western Balkans, Central Asia, Brazil, Egypt, Mexico, and Turkey.

This STEM scholarship in the UK for international students (women) aims to increase opportunities in STEM for girls and women. According to data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in 2019, fewer than 30% of researchers worldwide are women, and only 30% of female students choose STEM-related fields in higher education, but this number has slowly been increasing and is now at 35%. (Anon, 2022).

According to a subject breakdown from 2017 to 2018, girls studying STEM disciplines were particularly low. Computer Sciences, Engineering, and Technology, with 19% versus 81% for males. Physical sciences, mathematics, and statistics are stronger at 39% and 37%, respectively (compared to 61 and 63% for their equivalents).

Eligibility Criteria 

For this particular STEM scholarship in UK for international students who are women, the British Council is looking for students who:

• Can study in the United Kingdom during the academic year September/October 2023-2024.

• Can demonstrate the need for financial assistance.

• Have an undergraduate degree that allows them to enrol in one of the pre-selected postgraduate programmes at a UK university (for Masters level) or have completed all components of a PhD within the last three years (for Early Academic Fellowships).

• Can achieve the required level of English for postgraduate study/research at a UK university.

• Are active in the field, with employment experience or a demonstrated interest in their field.

• Are committed British Council scholarship alumni who are enthusiastic about their field of study.

Universities Involved 

The universities that are offering British Council Women in STEM Scholarships in UK to international students are mentioned below:

Other STEM Scholarships in the UK for Women

Aside from the prestigious British Council Women in STEM Scholarships, there are other STEM scholarships available in the UK, particularly for women students studying in this sector. Let us look at some of these scholarships:

Tips on How to Win a STEM Scholarship in the UK

If you want to pursue a career in one of the highly esteemed and financially profitable STEM sectors, you have many scholarship alternatives to consider. Apply for as many STEM scholarships for UK international students as possible. Here are some helpful tips for obtaining STEM scholarships in the UK:

Choose the Best STEM Scholarships in UK and Apply for Them

If you know what career you want to pursue before starting college, focus your search on scholarships for those industries and firms. You can check up on anything, including disciplines like environmental science, artificial intelligence, and aeroplane engineering. If you want to get the most out of your job search, apply for roles with a broader perspective. Additionally, check for STEM scholarships that are tailored to your demographic. Many women's organisations, for example, provide them to foster gender diversity in these historically male-dominated areas.

Follow all Scholarship Application Guidelines

Never assume that all scholarship committees want the same information from you. Even if you apply for a dozen scholarships, understand the requirements and read reports of other candidates' experiences. This type of diligence may lead to greater degrees of success. Never expect your reputation, academic performance, or extracurricular activity to compensate for missing deadlines or critical inquiries.

Only Use Information that is Accurate and Thorough

Never leave anything out when filling out the scholarship application, and never utter lies or stretch the truth. They will find out, and you may face serious repercussions in the world of scholarships or education. Furthermore, you will jeopardise your prospects of receiving the necessary money to attend your preferred college. Any optional or extra questions or sections on the scholarship application forms are included in the complete information. Always give it your all to show that you will go above and beyond in your academic life.

Keep Accurate Records of your Successes

Even if certain general and STEM scholarships do not require transcripts or achievement evidence, you must supply all required documents if they do. Once again, this demonstrates your ability to follow directions and respect the process, which can be impressive to others who are solely concerned with the money advantages.

Our well-versed study abroad consultants have assisted numerous Indian students to study STEM courses in the UK with scholarships. Our team is delighted to know that many of our counselee students are attending prestigious universities in the UK.