The British Council in Malaysia announces its Women in STEM Scholarship Programme 2025 during an International Women’s Day event, “INNOVATE HER: Championing, Inspiring, Bridging the Gap in STEM” featuring a panel discussion with accomplished Malaysian women STEM leaders.
THE British Council in Malaysia continues to champion women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through its Women in STEM Scholarship Programme.
Now in its fifth year, the initiative has provided over 400 scholarships globally, enabling aspiring women to pursue a one-year master’s degree in the United Kingdom.
The 2025 scholarships were announced on March 4, during the International Women’s Day celebration that was co-hosted by the British Council Malaysia, YTL Group and the British-Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC).
The event, themed “INNOVATE HER: Championing, inspiring, bridging the gap in STEM,” featured a panel discussion with accomplished female STEM leaders, providing insights and inspiration for prospective applicants.
Access to education remains a key factor in addressing the underrepresentation of women in STEM. By working with selected UK universities, the British Council is committed to bridging this gap and creating more opportunities for women to advance in their STEM careers.
The programme seeks candidates with a strong STEM background who require financial support and are committed to inspiring future generations. Successful applicants will receive a fully funded scholarship covering tuition fees, living expenses, travel, visa and health coverage costs, enabling them to pursue a master’s degree at a leading UK university.
British Council Malaysia director Jazreel Goh said, “Recognising the vital role of women in shaping the future of science and innovation, we are proud to continue supporting the British Council Women in STEM Scholarships.
This year, the programme offers over 65 scholarships globally, including 25 for outstanding women from East Asia. These prestigious awards go beyond financial support – they provide access to world-class education, cutting-edge research and a powerful global network of women leaders in STEM."
In a related initiative, marking the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the second year of the ASEAN-UK Supporting the Advancement of Girls’ Education (ASEAN-UK SAGE) Women in STEM Scholarships was launched.
This programme, a collaboration between the British Council and the ASEAN secretariat and funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK FCDO), underscores the United Kingdom’s dedication to empowering women in South-East Asia and Timor-Leste, equipping them to overcome barriers in STEM and take on leadership roles.
The fully funded ASEAN-UK SAGE scholarships will support 11 outstanding women from 10 ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste in pursuing master’s degrees at two of the United Kingdom’s leading universities: the University of Warwick and the University of Manchester.
These scholarships complement the British Council Women in STEM Scholarships, both of which were introduced at the event.
Ambassador of the United Kingdom to ASEAN, Her Excellency Sarah Tiffin stated: “The UK is proud to support women in STEM in ASEAN. Supporting women benefits everyone. The ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships are a concrete demonstration of the UK's commitment to inclusive and sustainable development through education and women's empowerment.
“They exemplify the thriving partnership between the UK and ASEAN.
She said that exceptional women who are undertaking the scholarships this year will return to their home countries to launch their STEM careers, driving science and innovation.
“They will advocate for women and inspire the next generation. And we hope they will build on their experience to develop research collaborations between ASEAN and the UK, where our universities are known for their top-notch STEM programmes.”
In 2024, the inaugural ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships supported 12 women from nine ASEAN countries, including one from Malaysia, to pursue postgraduate STEM studies at Imperial College London and the University of Warwick.
Meanwhile, the British Council Women in STEM Scholarships enabled two Malaysian scholars to undertake their master’s studies in the United Kingdom.
Applications for both the ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships and the British Council Women in STEM Scholarships are open until mid-April 2025.
To learn about the programmes, join the British Council webinar on Friday, March 21.
Register here.
For more information on the ASEAN–UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships, visit its website.
Or explore the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM.
