How Ayashi Das Majumder, an Indian Scholar, Secured a Full-Tuition Master’s Through the British Council Women in STEM Scholarship

My name is Ayashi Das Majumder, and I am from Kolkata, India. My work sits at the intersection of environmental science, technology, and conservation. I currently work in climate technology, focusing on GeoAI, Earth observation, and environmental intelligence for applications across agriculture, sustainability, and climate resilience.

Why Did You Decide to Pursue Further Education in This Field?

My early academic and professional experiences made me increasingly interested in the wider challenges involved in conserving ecosystems. I wanted to move beyond studying ecological systems and develop a stronger understanding of how conservation can be assessed, planned, and managed in practice.

An MSc in Wildlife Conservation and Management offered the opportunity to build that broader perspective while developing stronger skills in conservation science, ecological assessment and environmental management.

British Council Women in STEM Scholarship Details

I received the British Council Women in STEM Scholarship to pursue an MSc in Wildlife Conservation and Management at the University of South Wales.

The scholarship covered my full tuition fees. It did not include additional funding for living or travel expenses.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

No. I received the British Council Women in STEM Scholarship, which provided the opportunity to choose from several partner universities offering eligible programmes. I ultimately chose the University of South Wales based on the relevance of the programme and my experience during the admissions process.

Educational Background

I completed my BSc in Zoology at the University of Calcutta, graduating with First Class. My undergraduate studies gave me a foundation in biological sciences, animal biology, and ecology.

I later completed my MSc in Wildlife Conservation and Management at the University of South Wales, graduating with Merit. The programme expanded my academic background into conservation practice, ecological assessment and environmental management.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of South Wales?

I began by researching programmes that matched my academic background and the areas I wanted to develop further. I discovered the British Council Women in STEM Scholarship through the British Council website and then explored the partner universities and eligible programmes.

The scholarship selection process involved two stages of application followed by an interview. After being selected, I chose the University of South Wales because the programme aligned closely with what I wanted to study, and I had a positive and responsive experience during the admissions process.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I did not take IELTS or TOEFL. The University of South Wales provided an online English language assessment, which I completed as part of the admissions process.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the British Council Women in STEM Scholarship?

I first considered what I wanted to gain from postgraduate study and why the opportunity was relevant to my development at that stage.

I then focused on presenting a coherent picture of my interests, experiences, and motivation rather than trying to include every achievement. This helped me make the application more personal and focused on why I was pursuing the opportunity.

How is Your Experience at the University of South Wales?

My experience at the University of South Wales was academically engaging and gave me the opportunity to develop practical skills alongside my coursework.

I was introduced to new approaches to ecological surveys and field-based assessment, while the programme gave me opportunities to apply scientific concepts to real conservation contexts.

How Would You Describe the Academic Experience?

I found the programme rigorous while maintaining a strong connection to practical conservation.

What I particularly valued was the way it brought together ecological evidence, assessment techniques and management considerations. This encouraged me to think about conservation not simply as a scientific discipline, but as an area where evidence needs to inform practical decisions.

How Does the University of South Wales Support International Students?

I found the university environment welcoming and accessible as an international student.

Studying in a diverse community was particularly valuable. Interacting with people from different countries and backgrounds exposed me to experiences outside my own and made the transition to studying abroad easier.

What Did You Do During and After the British Council Women in STEM Scholarship?

During and after my MSc, I continued building practical experience in different areas of conservation. This included biodiversity assessment in Spain and ecological restoration and GIS work in Wales, which strengthened my field, spatial, and environmental analysis skills.

After completing my postgraduate studies, I began expanding these skills into technology- and data-driven environmental applications. I developed stronger quantitative capabilities through Supervised Machine Learning: Regression and Classification from Stanford University and explored environmental decision-making through programmes in ESG and sustainable investing from Wharton and Candriam.

I also undertook training through UNITAR on environmental accounting and the Sustainable Development Goals, and through the World Health Organization on Environment, Climate Change and Health.

These experiences led me deeper into remote sensing, Earth observation, environmental data analysis, and GeoAI. I now apply these skills in climate technology, working on environmental intelligence for agriculture, sustainability, and climate resilience at Sensegrass.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe the application benefited from having a clear connection between my academic background and the practical experiences that had shaped my interest in conservation.

Before applying, I had gained experience in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation at the San Diego Humane Society and habitat research in Bandhavgarh National Park. These experiences gave me first-hand exposure to both wildlife care and ecological field research.

They also helped me understand what I wanted to explore further through postgraduate study, allowing me to explain my motivation with specific examples rather than relying only on academic achievements.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

I would have started preparing the application earlier.

The process showed me the value of giving yourself enough time to step back from your experiences and decide which ones are most relevant to the opportunity. With more preparation time, I would have spent longer refining how I connected individual experiences to the broader direction I wanted to pursue.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Start by understanding the opportunity itself: what the scholarship supports, what the selection criteria are, and what you hope to gain from it.

When preparing your application, choose evidence that demonstrates those qualities rather than trying to mention everything you have done. Academic achievements matter, but research, volunteering, fieldwork, professional experience and independent initiatives can also demonstrate your potential.

I would also encourage applicants not to rule themselves out prematurely. If you meet the requirements and the opportunity genuinely fits your goals, apply and allow the selection process to assess your potential.