According to the McKinsey Women in the Workplace report 2022, white women hold 27% of management positions in the United States, while women of color hold only 14%. In C-Suite roles, the findings are much more striking. In the US, white women occupy 21% of these high-level positions and women of colour 5%.
That’s why many business schools are striving to enhance representation of women in the workplace through master’s degree grants meant to help women get jobs in management and build successful careers.
Here is a roundup of some of the best business master’s degree scholarships available for women around the globe.
1. American Association of University Women
Amount: $20,000
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) scholarship helps female scholars pursue higher education in the United States.
The fellowship offers financial assistance to women who are not US citizens but have obtained the equivalent of an American bachelor’s degree in their home countries. The fellowship’s goal is to give women the opportunity to further their education in the United States before returning to their home countries to start successful careers.
Successful master’s/first professional degree applicants will receive $20,000 in funding.
2. Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Zonta International’s Jane M. Klausman (JMK) Women in Business Scholarship program works internationally, awarding $5,000 scholarships to women from 37 districts.
To date, the scholarship has provided financial aid to 713 women all around the world. The districts range from the Republic of the Congo to Thailand, as well as Australia and Canada. The international scholarship is open to one applicant from each district.
At the time of application, candidates must be enrolled in an undergraduate program. The fellowship is open to women of all ages who want to pursue a postgraduate management study.
3. Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting
Amount: $1,000-$2,500
The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting (EFWA) scholarship offers mentoring and access to higher education in accounting to women. The charity seeks to empower women by encouraging them to pursue careers in accounting and providing equitable access to opportunities.
For women interested in graduate accounting scholarships, the fund offers one-year scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $2,500. Candidates are selected based on their extracurricular activities, academic accomplishments, and financial status.
4. British Council Women in STEM
Amount: full payment of tuition fees
The British Council Women in Science scholarship program collaborates with 19 UK universities to provide educational opportunities for women from the Americas, South Asia, East Asia, Western Balkans, Central Asia, Brazil, Egypt, Mexico, and Turkey.
The scholarship allows women who have completed a STEM undergraduate degree to continue their studies in the UK by pursuing a master’s degree in a STEM topic at a leading UK university.
The program’s goal is to empower women who want to advance their careers in STEM professions. The major purpose is to be a driving force for gender equality in STEM topics, as well as to increase chances for women through educational options.
Five female students are honored at partner universities in the United Kingdom. The scholarship amount may vary slightly, but scholars can expect to receive full payment of tuition fees as well as a substantial annual grant to help with or cover housing and living expenses.
5. FINCAD Women in Finance Scholarship
Amount: $20,000
In order to break down obstacles for women in finance, FINCAD’s scholarship assists women at the master’s degree level who want to work in financial asset management, market risk management, and derivatives finance within capital markets.
The annual award provides a woman with $20,000 to help fund her master’s degree in finance. FINCAD will pay half of the prize directly to the winner and half to their business school to help with tuition.
6. The 30% Club Scholarship
Amount: 50% tuition fee payment
The 30% Club scholarship partners with major business schools to offer up to 50% tuition fee reimbursements for female master’s applicants as part of a global movement to enhance the participation of women on boards and in leadership and management roles.
ESMT Berlin, a partner business school for master’s level degrees, offers one scholarship opportunity for up to $10,700 (€10,000). As part of their application, candidates must write a scholarship essay outlining a clear route toward leadership in their previous experience and objectives.
HEC Paris is also a member of the 30% Club and offers 50% tuition reimbursement for the first year of study in its two-year master’s programs.
