Masters and PhD for refugees

Updated: 12 April 2026

In short

Masters loan up to £12,858. UKRI PhD funding — full stipend of £20,780/year plus tuition fees paid. CARA — grants for persecuted academics. A taught Masters takes 1 year.

£12,858

Masters loan

postgraduate loan

£20,780

PhD stipend

UKRI per year

CARA

Grants

for academics

1 year

Masters

taught Masters

Masters degree

Postgraduate Loan — up to £12,858

A government loan for Masters study. It covers both tuition and living costs. You receive the money in three payments over the year. You start repaying only when you earn more than £21,000 a year. You pay 6% of the amount above the threshold. After 30 years any remaining balance is written off.

Who qualifies

Refugees — eligible immediately, no 3-year wait. Humanitarian Protection — also immediately. Asylum seekers — not eligible for the Postgraduate Loan. 30-month leave (asylum route) — usually yes.

How to apply

Apply on gov.uk/postgraduate-loan. You need: eVisa, course details, and bank details for the transfer. Apply early — processing takes several weeks.

PhD — doctoral research

UKRI funding — full scholarship

UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) is the main source of PhD funding. It covers: tuition fees (paid in full) + a stipend of £20,780/year (2025/26 rate). Lasts 3-4 years. This is NOT a loan — you do not repay it.

Who qualifies for UKRI

Refugees and those with Humanitarian Protection are eligible for full UKRI funding (fees + stipend). Since 2021 the rules were expanded — previously refugees only received fees. Asylum seekers are not eligible for UKRI funding.

Where to find PhD positions

findaphd.com — the largest PhD vacancy database. Filter by "funded". Also try: jobs.ac.uk, university websites, and direct contact with a supervisor (research lead).

CARA — help for persecuted academics

CARA (Council for At-Risk Academics) helps scholars and researchers who face persecution because of their academic work or beliefs. They provide: grants for living costs, positions at UK universities, and mentoring and support. They work with people from any country. You do not need refugee status — being "at risk" is enough. Apply at cara.ngo.

Other funding sources

University scholarships

Many universities offer their own Masters scholarships. Check the "Scholarships" or "Funding" section on each university website. Applications usually happen at the same time as course applications.

Sanctuary Postgraduate Awards

Some universities have Sanctuary scholarships specifically for postgraduate study. List available at star-network.org.uk. Also open to asylum seekers.

Hope for the Young

An organisation that helps young refugees with postgraduate funding. Grants for tuition and living costs.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Masters cost?

The Postgraduate Loan covers up to £12,858. It is a loan — you repay after finishing, only if you earn more than £21,000 a year. After 30 years the remaining debt is written off. Refugees are eligible immediately, no waiting period.

Can an asylum seeker study for a Masters?

The Postgraduate Loan is NOT available for asylum seekers. But some universities offer Sanctuary scholarships for postgraduate study. CARA also helps persecuted academics regardless of immigration status.

How do I find a funded PhD?

Search on findaphd.com and jobs.ac.uk. Filter by "funded". UKRI-funded PhDs cover fees + stipend. Also contact supervisors directly — sometimes there are unadvertised positions.

What is CARA and who do they help?

CARA (Council for At-Risk Academics) helps scholars who are persecuted for their academic work or beliefs. They provide grants, help find positions at UK universities, and offer mentoring. Apply at cara.ngo.

Do I need IELTS for a Masters?

Usually IELTS 6.5-7.0 for Masters. PhD requirements can be more flexible. Many universities accept a Pre-sessional English course instead of IELTS. If you studied in English before — some universities accept this as proof.

🎓 Find a PhD — FindAPhD →