By iQualify Abroad your Study Abroad Expert | Updated: December 2025
For Pakistani students aiming to study in the UK, the British Council offers some of the most prestigious funding options available. While the Chevening Scholarship gets the most attention, the British Council’s own portfolio—specifically the Women in STEM and GREAT Scholarships—offers a less bureaucratic and highly rewarding pathway to top UK universities.
If you are targeting the September 2026 intake, you are right on time. This guide breaks down exactly how to secure these funds, the specific eligibility for Pakistani citizens, and the application calendar you must follow.
Status for 2026 Intake: Opens January 2026
This is arguably the most valuable scholarship currently available for female applicants from Pakistan. Unlike other awards that only cover the individual, this scholarship is unique because it offers specific support for mothers and covers costs that others do not.
If selected, the British Council covers your entire financial liability:
100% Tuition Fees: Paid directly to the university.
Monthly Stipend: A generous living allowance for 12 months (typically £1,200–£1,400/month) to cover rent and bills.
Travel Costs: Return economy airfare from Pakistan to the UK.
Visa & Health Surcharge: Covers the expensive Student Visa fee and the NHS Health Surcharge.
IELTS Fee: Reimbursement of your English language test fee.
Child Allowance: Special additional funding is available for mothers who wish to bring dependent children with them (a rarity in international scholarships).
To qualify, you must meet all the following:
Gender: Female (cis-gender or trans woman).
Citizenship: You must be a passport holder and permanent resident of Pakistan.
Subject: You must have an offer for a Master’s degree in a STEM subject (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
Examples: Data Science, Public Health, Environmental Engineering, Climate Change, Energy Transition.
Financial Need: You must demonstrate that you are “active in the field” but lack the financial means to study in the UK.
No Prior UK Study: You must not have lived or studied in the UK previously.
The application process is decentralized. You do not apply to the British Council; you apply to the university.
Wait for the List (Jan 2026): The British Council releases a list of “Partner Universities” for the 2026 cycle. (e.g., in previous years this included Imperial College, Strathclyde, Newcastle, etc.).
Apply for Admission: Submit your admission application to a participating university for a relevant STEM course immediately (Jan–Feb 2026).
Submit Scholarship Form: Once you have an application ID or offer, the university will provide a separate scholarship application form.
Deadline: Most universities close this window in April 2026.
Status for 2026 Intake: Universities announcing now (Deadlines April–May 2026)
The GREAT Scholarship is a joint initiative by the UK Government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council. It is designed to recruit students from specific nations, with Pakistan being a priority country.
Amount: A minimum of £10,000 deducted from your tuition fees.
The Math: If your Master’s tuition is £22,000, this scholarship reduces it to £12,000. You are responsible for paying the remaining tuition and your own living costs.
For the 2026 intake, approximately 12–15 UK universities will be allocated specifically for Pakistani students. While the list changes annually, frequent partners include:
University of Manchester
University of York
Imperial College London
University of Bath
University of Hull
SOAS University of London
Passport: You must be a Pakistani citizen.
Merit: You typically need a sturdy academic background (CGPA 3.0+ or equivalent).
Offer Letter: You must hold a conditional or unconditional offer from one of the partner universities.
Since this is only partial funding (£10k), how do you afford the rest?
Stacking: Check if the university allows you to combine the GREAT Scholarship with their standard “International Merit Scholarship” (often £2,000–£3,000).
Part-Time Work: Your student visa permits 20 hours of work per week. Earning £10–£12/hour in the UK can help cover your monthly rent and groceries, meaning you only need to save up for the remaining tuition balance.
Status: Opens Spring 2026
If you are open to studying specifically in Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen), this is a fantastic alternative managed by the Scottish Government in partnership with the British Council.
Value: £8,000 towards tuition fees.
Target Areas: Science, Technology, Creative Industries, Healthcare, and Renewable Energy.
Eligibility: Open to citizens of Pakistan.
Application: You must have an offer from a Scottish university before applying. The application is usually a simple form asking “Why Scotland?”
| Feature | Women in STEM | GREAT Scholarship |
| Funding Level | Fully Funded (100% + Stipend) | Partially Funded (£10k Waiver) |
| Living Stipend? | Yes (~£1,300/month) | No |
| Flight Tickets? | Yes | No |
| Gender Policy | Women Only | Open to All |
| Subject Limit | STEM Subjects Only | Usually Open (Check Uni) |
| Competition | Very High | Moderate |
To ensure you do not miss out, follow this monthly planner for the upcoming cycle:
January 2026:
Action: Visit the British Council “Study UK” website to see the finalized list of 2026 partner universities for both Women in STEM and GREAT.
Action: Apply for admission to at least 3 of these universities immediately.
February 2026:
Action: Chase your offer letters. Email admissions teams to flag that you are applying for the British Council scholarship.
March 2026:
Action: Submit the specific scholarship application forms on the university portals.
Focus: Your personal statement should focus on “Impact on Pakistan” (e.g., how you will use your degree to solve local issues in climate, health, or tech).
April–May 2026:
Deadlines: Most scholarship windows close.
June 2026:
Results: Successful candidates are notified.
July 2026:
Visa: Begin visa filing (Women in STEM winners will have their visa fees paid for them).
Is IELTS required for British Council Scholarships?
Yes. Unlike the scholarship application itself, the university admission (which is mandatory to get the scholarship) requires a valid IELTS or PTE score. You should aim for a 6.5 Overall.
Can I apply for both GREAT and Chevening?
Yes. You can apply for Chevening, GREAT, and Women in STEM simultaneously. However, you can only accept one fully funded award.
Does the British Council Women in STEM scholarship require work experience?
Technically, no minimum hours are mandated (unlike Chevening’s 2,800 hours), but you must demonstrate “active engagement” in your field. This could be through university research, internships, or employment.
What is the success rate for the GREAT Scholarship?
Because the GREAT scholarship is allocated by specific universities (e.g., 2 spots at University of York for Pakistan), the competition is lower than global schemes. If you have a strong GPA (3.3+) and a well-written statement, your chances are significant.
Do not wait for the “Scholarship Open” announcement to start your paperwork. The winners of the 2026 scholarships are the students who are preparing their university admission documents right now (December 2025).
Get your transcripts attested, write your personal statement, and prepare your CV so that the moment the partner university list is published in January, you can apply on Day 1.