Sanctuary Scholarships

What it gives

full tuition waiver · living costs · English tuition

up to £1,250

£1,250/yr study costs (first 3 yrs only) + full fee waiver + funded pre-sessional English course

Who it is for

asylum seeker (claim pending) · recognised refugee status · humanitarian protection · limited or discretionary leave · dependant of a person with status

Level of study: undergraduate

The student finance condition

Only if you cannot access student finance

This scheme is for people without access to government student finance — usually asylum seekers and some limited-leave categories. If you have refugee status and can access student finance, this is normally not for you.

How to apply

Express interest by emailing international@plymouth.ac.uk once applications open (2026: 6 Jan 9am – 28 Feb 11:59pm)
Assessment panel reviews applications March–April; unsuccessful applicants get feedback and may reapply the following year
Shortlisted applicants are interviewed in May and give a short presentation followed by panel questions
Three scholars are selected (one per Faculty) and complete legal/admissions paperwork over the summer
Scholars must complete a funded 6–8 week pre-sessional English course to reach IELTS 6.0 before term starts
Studies begin in September with induction

How they select

application form · interview

There is an interview here. It is a conversation about your situation and your study plans, not a subject exam: nobody tests the school syllabus or tries to catch you out. You can answer calmly, in your own words.

Dates

Can you apply now · as of 6 September 2026

Opens: January 2027

Where the date comes from: “closed 28 Feb 2026; next: Opens early January (2026: 6 Jan 9am)»

Deadline

11:59pm 28 February 2026 for entry starting 2026 (closed)

When applications open

Opens early January (2026: 6 Jan 9am), closes end of February (2026: 28 Feb 11:59pm); interviews in May, course starts September

How many places

3 (one per Faculty)

For how many years

Renewed for the following years of the course, as long as you keep studying.

Ask before you apply

We do not fill in the gaps for the institution. Here is what its own page leaves unclear — these are normal questions, everyone asks them.

What happens to the payments if I am granted refugee status mid-year?

Who to write to: international@plymouth.ac.uk

If this scheme is not for you

See the full list of schemes — it has a filter for your status and for whether student finance is available to you.
Check whether you are entitled to student finance — if it is, a scholarship stops being the only road.
Foundation year and Access to HE — routes for people who only have a school certificate.
Education hub — where to start if you have not chosen a route yet.

About the institution

University of Plymouth, Drake Circus campus, Plymouth, Devon. Priority is given to applicants already residing in the Plymouth area.

There are adults, but they are a minority. 20.2% of students are over 30 and 29.8% are over 25 — an average picture for a UK university.

In detail about University of Plymouth: all schemes, student ages, study modes →

Source

Every fact on this page we opened and read on the institution's own site, rather than taking it from an aggregator. Checked on: 22 August 2026.

The scheme page on the institution's site →

Excludes Medicine/Dentistry (unless on foundation) & courses with paid/overseas placements; £1,250 payment limited to first 3 years.