ISLAMABAD: The British Council has announced fully funded scholarships for women to study postgraduate courses in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in the United Kingdom.
The program aims to expand educational opportunities in STEM for women and to encourage them to become leaders in scientific research and innovation in these fields.
Under the program, selected candidates will be able to enroll in one-year master’s degree programs at leading universities and research institutions in the United Kingdom. The scholarship program has entered into partnerships with 43 universities across the United Kingdom while offering almost 500 scholarships to students from various parts of the world.
The amount of each scholarship for the academic year 2026-27 will be £40,000. The scholarship will cover fees, living costs, travel costs, visa fees, health care, and English language support.
There are 90 scholarships for students from 30 different countries. The program has allocated 25 scholarships to South Asian candidates through a partnership with five universities in the United Kingdom.
James Hampson commented on the initiative by stating that the program provides talented Pakistani women with access to world-class education in the United Kingdom which prepares them for leadership positions in STEM fields.
Jane Bardzley explained that the scholarships help decrease obstacles which women face when they enter STEM professions and the scholarships also promote increased diversity in scientific research and innovation.
Applications for the Women in STEM scholarships are open until the end of April 2026.
Deserving students to receive scholarships under HEC initiative
Meanwhile, the Higher Education Commission Pakistan (HEC) has announced 1,000 scholarships aimed at expanding access to higher education for students from underdeveloped regions.
According to a statement issued by the commission, the scholarships have been specifically allocated for deserving students from Balochistan and the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), enabling youth from these areas to pursue higher education at universities across the country.
The statement said the initiative is intended to reduce educational disparities between different regions of the country and to bring students from underprivileged areas into the national mainstream.
HEC noted that many talented students are unable to continue their education due to financial constraints, and the scholarship programme aims to provide them with the necessary financial support.
According to the commission, the scholarships will be awarded for the 2026–2027 academic year, under which selected students will receive financial assistance to study at various public universities in Pakistan. The support will cover tuition and other essential educational expenses.
HEC officials said the programme seeks to increase the participation of students from Balochistan and Fata in the national education system, enabling them to access modern education and improved employment opportunities.
