The UK Government in collaboration with the ASEAN secretariat proudly launched the ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships. The UK, through the ASEAN-UK Supporting the Advancement of Girls’ Education Programme (ASEAN-UK SAGE), seeks to address gender disparities in STEM by providing more access to STEM education for women and girls in ASEAN and Timor-Leste.
The newly launched, ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM scholarships will contribute to addressing underrepresentation of women in STEM by supporting access to UK education for women. The scholarships will support inspirational advocates in the STEM sector and promote role models for Women in STEM with viable, recognisable STEM careers.
ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships are open to women from across all ten ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste, offering women a chance to transform their future and become pioneers in STEM fields across the region. 11 successful applicants from ASEAN and Timor-Leste will receive a fully funded one-year opportunity to complete a master’s degree at the prestigious University of Warwick or Imperial College London. The opportunity is open to women from ten ASEAN Member States, including:
- Brunei Darussalam,
- Cambodia,
- Indonesia,
- Lao PDR,
- Malaysia,
- Myanmar,
- the Philippines,
- Singapore,
- Thailand,
- Viet Nam, and Timor-Leste.
The ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships aim to:
- Break down gender barriers in the digital skills and employment landscape.
- Increase access to information and knowledge for adolescent girls, encouraging them to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields, such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
- Address the underrepresentation of women in STEM careers across ASEAN and Timor-Leste.
- Support access to high-quality UK education for disadvantaged women with a passion for STEM.
- Nurture inspirational advocates who will champion STEM fields and serve as role models for future generations.
Scholarship Details:
- Award: One-year, fully funded Master’s degree programme at either the University of Warwick or Imperial College London.
- Impact: This scholarship programme will empower women to pursue successful careers in STEM, contributing to regional economic growth and development.
Eligibility criteria:
- Be or identify as a woman.
- Be a passport holder and permanent resident of one of the eligible countries listed.
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Have completed an undergraduate degree or all components of your degree required to gain entry onto a postgraduate program.
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Meet the English language requirements of the course to which you have applied to study.
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Not be in receipt of financial support or funding towards your study program in the UK from any other source.
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Have not previously studied at degree level or higher in the UK or lived recently in the UK. Distance learning at a UK university or studying at a UK branch campus in another country will be considered as studying in the UK.
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Return to the country of your citizenship for a minimum of two years after your course/scholarship has ended.
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Be active in the field with work experience or with a proven interest in the subject area.
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Demonstrate a plan and a passion to engage other women and girls in STEM from your home country.
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Agree to maintain contact with the British Council and act as an ambassador for the UK. Engage with activities as part of an ASEAN – UK SAGE: Women in STEM alumna during and after your studies.
Visit the universities’ websites for more information and application details:
1. University of Warwick
2. Imperial College London
About ASEAN-UK SAGE
Emerging from the UK’s official Dialogue Partner status with ASEAN in 2021, ASEAN-UK SAGE is a pioneer initiative under the ASEAN-UK Plan of Action 2022-2026. Launched in 2023, ASEAN-UK SAGE is funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) with a commitment of up to GBP 30 million, through to 2028. The programme is implemented by the British Council, SEAMEO Secretariat, Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), and EdTech Hub in its first phase, with a focus on three critical areas:
(i) strengthening foundational learning,
(ii) engaging out-of-school children and marginalised groups, and
(iii) breaking gender barriers to digital skills and employment.
