Summary

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. They build connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language.

The British Council has established programmes to support Women and Girls in STEM around the world, designed with a lifecycle approach in mind, from inspiring young girls to stay in STEM to supporting women working in STEM fields reach positions of leadership and network with their peers in their region and the UK.

This year, supported by the British Council, Aston University is delighted to announce our participation in the fully funded scholarships for female students from the state of Paraíba, Brazil.

Each of these scholarships covers full tuition fees, monthly stipends, a return economy class ticket and other costs such as IELTS exam fee, visa application and NHS surcharge.

Key facts

This year, supported by the British Council, Aston University is delighted to announce our participation in the fully funded scholarships for female students from the state of Paraíba, Brazil, pursuing master’s studies in the fields of:

Each of these scholarships covers full tuition fees, monthly stipends, a return economy class ticket and other costs such as IELTS exam fee, visa application and NHS surcharge.

Number of scholarships

Five scholarships will be available to Aston University Students.

Important dates

Applications are now open.
12 April, 2026 – applications close.
Mid June, 2026 – successful scholars notified.

Duration

The scholarship will last for the duration of your one-year MSc course starting in September 2026.

How to apply

To apply for the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM, you must reside or work in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. You must have already completed an application to study on one of the eligible Aston University programmes, and demonstrate a need for financial support.

Stage 1

Apply for your chosen MSc degree.

Apply for your MSc

Stage 2

Complete the form below for your submission for the scholarship.

Scholarship submission form

Eligibility critieria

The Women in STEM scholarship is a partnership between Aston University, the British Council, and FAPESQ (Paraíba State Research Support Foundation). As a result, candidates selected for the scholarship must reside or work in the state of Paraíba, Brazil.

To be eligible for the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

Be a woman, as defined under UK legislation.
Be a permanent resident of, and hold a valid passport or recognised international travel document from, an eligible country, and be able to obtain a UK visa. Applicants must agree to return to their country of citizenship or residence for a minimum of two years after the scholarship ends, except in exceptional circumstances where return would be impossible or unsafe.
Meet the entry requirements of Aston University for the chosen course, including academic qualifications and English language proficiency.
Have completed all components of an undergraduate degree at the time of application. Final-year undergraduate students may be considered if they will complete their degree in time for enrolment and meet all matriculation requirements.
Demonstrate a need for financial support. Applicants must not be able to privately fund their UK studies and must not be receiving financial support from another source that duplicates the core benefits of this scholarship. Private savings to supplement the scholarship are permitted.
Preference may be given to applicants who have not previously had significant international exposure or studied in the UK. Short-term visits such as study tours or conferences are permitted.
Clearly indicate their preferred course and institution if applying to more than one institution.
Demonstrate the motivation and academic ability to successfully undertake a UK postgraduate taught course.
Be active in the STEM field through relevant work experience or demonstrate a proven interest in the proposed subject area.
Be willing to contribute to capacity-building and socio-economic development in their home country after completing their studies.
Agree to maintain contact with the British Council, act as an ambassador for the UK, and engage with Alumni UK activities during and after their studies.
Demonstrate a plan and commitment to encouraging and supporting women and girls to engage in STEM in their home country.
Agree to their personal data being shared with the British Council for assessment and promotional purposes as part of the application process.

Further information

The scholarship covers the full costs associated with studying at Aston University, including:
•   Tuition fees
•   Up to 12-months monthly stipend at the rate of £1,731 p/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
•   Visa and insurance / NHS surcharge costs
More information about the scholarship programme can be found on the British Council website.