How I Secured a Fully Funded Master's at Anglia Ruskin University, United Kingdom Through the British Council Women in STEM Scholarship

Hello, I’m Moumita Islam. I am an Architect from Bangladesh. I recently completed my Master’s in Construction Project Management, and I’m currently pursuing a PhD in Architecture and Planning.

British Council Women in STEM Scholarship Details

I received a fully funded British Council Women in STEM Scholarship for the 2024/25 academic year from Anglia Ruskin University to study a Master's in Construction Project Management. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, visa and health insurance fees, accommodation and living allowance, a career development bursary, and IELTS support. Total: £39,564. The career development bursary and IELTS support are provided by ARU, while the rest is provided by British Council.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

I was offered the GREAT Scholarship at Glasgow Caledonian University but ultimately chose the WiSTEM Scholarship.

Educational Background

I grew up in Abu Dhabi, UAE, studying in an English-medium school. I scored a GPA of 5.00 out of 5.00 for my Secondary School Certificate. I then came to Bangladesh to study Architecture as I wanted to be involved in both the creative and built environment sectors. I was awarded a merit-based waiver multiple times during my five-year Bachelor's degree and passed with the highest CGPA of my batch. Since Architecture is a creative discipline, the main emphasis is placed on Design Studio, our core course. As part of Design Studio, we design projects and present them to a panel of critics for jury. It builds our presentation, digital, aesthetic, public speaking, and critical thinking abilities. The multitude of skills gained helped me shape my career in construction. As someone who experienced the ultra-urbanism in the UAE and the sensitive tropical architecture in Bangladesh, I wanted to bring a perspective to help the construction industry in my home country and thus decided to pioneer the digitalization of the traditional architectural process.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Universidade da Coruña?

How Did You Find Information About British Council Women in STEM Scholarship and Anglia Ruskin University?

Through online research.

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

I took the IELTS. I took a few mock tests to understand the format, then prepared using online sample tests.

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

I didn’t prepare for this specific scholarship; I prepared generally to apply for a master’s abroad. Firstly, I had to gain relevant professional experience. Most scholarships for master’s level require at least 2 years of experience. The important thing is how you use your experience to your advantage. Applying for scholarships that value your experience and leadership in your field is crucial. So, I prioritized standing out in my work. Instead of working solely as an employee who does what’s told, I took a different approach. I transitioned an architectural office from a traditional workflow to a BIM-implemented method. I instructed and helped two architectural offices to transition into more digitally progressive BIM workflows and became the BIM Manager and Digital Lead.

How is Your Experience at Anglia Ruskin University?

I had a very meaningful time studying at ARU. The education structure is quite different from what I’m used to. Here we are encouraged to form our own opinions and exercise critical thinking rather than being told what to do. The institution also emphasizes research in the industry, which inspired me to enter the research field. My thesis supervisor and my course director were tremendously helpful and encouraging during my time. As a professional architect and BIM Manager, I was more used to the hands-on practical aspect of design rather than the research side. So, it was quite eye-opening and meaningful to learn about all the advancements in our sector happening through research, making me enthusiastic about how I can contribute to it.

ARU also provided me with a Career Development Bursary, with which I was able to attend a Summer Course at Bauhaus University in Weimar, Germany on “Design Thinking- Ignite Creativity and Solve Problems”. This was an amazing experience to get together with people from many different backgrounds to collaborate and solve a large-scale urban systemic issue using human-centered, interdisciplinary solutions.

I was also able to secure an internship at ARU during my time as Events Accessibility and Participation Planning Coordinator, where I got to research how social mobility impacts event engagement. I designed a framework to track and measure event engagement by creating engagement channels across different focus groups. It gave me hands-on experience in doing research and making a practical impact according to it. I was also involved in organizing the inaugural We Are Global Women Forum, which opened doors for me and strengthened my commitment to inclusivity and representation.

How Do You Rate Anglia Ruskin University Academically?

I would rate it very highly. Anglia Ruskin University places high priority on practical learning and critical thinking. It also introduced me to research methods and showed how far construction research has advanced, giving me new purpose and interest in the field. They also have very strict standards towards academic credibility and originality of work, which is highly appreciated.

How Does Anglia Ruskin University Support International Students?

The institution hosts a large population of international students and supports them well.

What Did You Pursue After the British Council Women in STEM Scholarship?

I’m currently preparing to pursue a PhD at Universidade da Coruña in Spain under the same supervisor as my Master's dissertation, since she is a pioneer in the field of research I was conducting. She recommended me directly when I showed interest in the research field.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think I was awarded for leading BIM digital-transformation training across two architecture practices and for my commitment to inclusivity, representation, and excellence in STEM research. The construction industry as a whole is a very male-dominated industry in Bangladesh. I was able to stand out with my own initiative and approach to become a BIM lead. I instructed, advised, and transitioned the digital process of architecture. Despite working under award-winning architects during my time as a Junior Architect, I didn’t want to remain an assistant in design but rather find my own position as a digital lead and help transition and advance the process.

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

I would apply a year or two earlier. I think a lot of us are unaware of the scholarships available, and we think scholarships are something unachievable for us. Many of us, including myself, used to undervalue ourselves due to our background and systems that make us think that Scholarships only favor the highest possible academic merit, causing many to not even try if they lack perfect grades. Global funds and volatile geopolitical conditions can cause many changes, so I think applying as early as possible is best. You will never be a “perfect” candidate if you keep postponing your application to achieve that perfection, especially since the criteria for each scholarship differ and are out of your hands.

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

Look for scholarships and courses based on your interests. British Council Women in STEM Scholarship values what you have done for your community, for your field, and for equality and diversity in the sector. Show how you can be a role model for other women in the field and break into male-dominated fields so others can follow. If you are a leader and want to be an example to other women and encourage them as an ambassador, this is a very good scholarship for you. Be clear about your goals and how you can impact your community and your career through your efforts and the scholarship. This isn’t just a merit-based scholarship; it’s more about how you plan to give back and empower others and what you have done so far to showcase it.

I am the first woman in my family to pursue a Master’s degree and a PhD. I encourage all my fellow women to have more confidence and courage to pursue their dreams of higher education and career goals.