Scholarships for Women in STEM

Scholarships under the ASEAN-UK SAGE (ASEAN-UK SAGE) and British Council programmes both offer many scholarships to women in STEM.

The two programs offer a total of 95 scholarships to candidates from East Asia, South Asia, the Americas, and Europe who will begin their master’s degree programs this fall. Financial support includes tuition fees, living allowance, travel, visa, and health insurance. The application deadline is now through April 30, depending on the institution.

This is the first time the ASEAN-UK SAGE Women’s STEM Scholarship has been launched, through the UK Mission to ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat. The scholarship is designed to address the gender gap in employment and digital skills in ASEAN countries and Timor Leste.

Mr. Iain Frew - British Ambassador to Vietnam said that with the launch of the ASEAN-UK SAGE STEM Scholarship for Women, the UK wants to highlight the great potential of women and girls in education.

“Through this initiative, we hope to not only support access to education but also nurture a generation of pioneers who will inspire those around them,” said Mr. Frew.

This scholarship is open to eligible candidates who are citizens of ASEAN member states and Timor Leste. 11 successful candidates from this region will receive a full scholarship for one year to complete a master’s degree at the University of Warwick.

Global push for gender balance in STEM workforce. Photo: British Council

Meanwhile, this year marks the fourth year that the British Council has partnered with UK universities to launch the Women in STEM Scholarship. The program offers many attractive benefits, promotes women’s study and work opportunities, and helps inspire future generations of women to pursue careers and contribute to STEM-related fields.

This year, with this scholarship, Vietnamese students can apply for courses at the University of Bristol. Previously, many Vietnamese students had the opportunity to own prestigious degrees from universities in the UK and develop scientific careers.

As one of the 2023-2024 STEM Scholarship scholars, Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung (Master of Data Science, Middlesex University) shared that in the scholarship essay, candidates should clearly convey their passion for STEM and commitment to developing a career in this field.

"Emphasize the achievements, experiences or challenges that have had a big impact on your career path. Don't hesitate to seek guidance from your teachers, mentors, or friends. They can give you valuable feedback," Nhung advised.

Nguyen Thi Hong Nhung is studying for a Master's degree in Data Science at Middlesex University - UK. Photo: Provided by the character

As society continues to innovate and technology advances, STEM careers are growing. Encouraging students to pursue these fields of study is important, especially for women.

According to UNESCO data, fewer than 30% of researchers worldwide are female, and only 30% of female students choose STEM-related fields at university level. Global female enrollment rates are particularly low in information and communication technology (3%), natural sciences, mathematics and statistics (5%), and engineering, manufacturing and construction (8%).

In ASEAN countries, girls often outperform boys in math and science in primary and secondary school. The gender gap begins to appear in tertiary STEM education, with only 19.3% of women holding a bachelor’s degree in STEM compared to 39.8% of men. According to a 2022 United Nations report, women only participate in 20% of jobs in this field globally. Many other studies have also highlighted the disparities in scientific publications, income and career advancement for women in the field.

That is also the reason why training and recruiting women for STEM fields is increasingly encouraged. This contributes to promoting science and finance, increasing diversity in the workforce, bringing diversity in perspectives and ideas.

Nhat Le

Readers can find more information about the STEM scholarship program for women here.

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