Sanctuary Scholarships
If you cannot access Student Finance England — because you are an asylum seeker or have DLR — Sanctuary Scholarships are your main route into higher education. More than 20 universities run individual schemes. There is no central system: you apply directly to each university.
What are Sanctuary Scholarships?
Sanctuary Scholarships are awarded by individual universities to students who cannot access Student Finance England — primarily asylum seekers awaiting a Home Office decision, but also some students with Discretionary Leave to Remain (DLR) or humanitarian protection.
These scholarships typically cover tuition fees (making the student liable for home-fee rates rather than international rates) and often include a bursary for living costs. There is no central application system — apply directly to each university.
Who qualifies?
The primary group most schemes are designed for. Cannot access SFE — a Sanctuary Scholarship bridges this gap.
Eligible for SFE. Some universities offer additional scholarships on top of SFE.
A number of universities explicitly include Ukraine visa holders. Check each university's criteria.
Eligibility depends on the individual scheme — confirm with the university's scholarships office.
Foundation year — the grey zone
Most Sanctuary Scholarships do not automatically cover a foundation year. Three confirmed cases:
- Oxford Brookes — explicitly covers the Integrated Foundation Course for all four years, provided the student passes Year 0 and progresses to the degree.
- Sheffield — grey zone: foundation course students must contact Sheffield to discuss eligibility. Not automatically included.
- Gloucestershire (Michael Perham) — undergraduate and postgraduate taught degrees only. Foundation years are NOT covered.
Scholarships by university (as of 08 May 2026)
Amounts and conditions change year to year. Always check the live university page before applying.
| University | Tuition waived? | Bursary/stipend | Accommodation | Open to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Birmingham | Yes | £5,000/year | Yes (university-owned) | Asylum seekers, HP, DLR | |
| Imperial College London | Yes | £21,000/year + £1,500 grant | No | Refugees, asylum seekers, Ukraine Schemes | Postgraduate only |
| Birkbeck (Bonnart Trust) | Yes | £18,000 | No | Asylum seekers, refugees, Ukraine/Afghan schemes | |
| University of Glasgow | Yes | £5,000/year | No | Asylum seekers, refugees | |
| University of Bristol | Yes | Varies | No | Asylum seekers, HP | |
| University of Leicester | Yes | Bespoke package | No | Asylum seekers, DLR (4 awards) | |
| University of Cardiff | Yes (reduced to home) | Together at Cardiff Bursary | No | Asylum seekers | |
| Keele University | Yes | Study costs | No | Asylum seekers, forced migrants | |
| Oxford Brookes University | Yes | Included | No | Asylum seekers, refugees | Explicitly covers Integrated Foundation Course for 4 years |
| University of Sheffield | Yes + £10,300 living costs | £10,300/year | No | Displaced students | 5 awards/year; foundation students must contact to discuss eligibility |
| University of Gloucestershire (Michael Perham) | Yes (UG and PG taught only) | — | No | Students with forced migration status | Foundation years NOT covered |
| UCL | Yes (UPC Waiver) | No | No | Asylum seekers | Foundation only |
| University of Cambridge | Yes | Full funding | Yes (residential) | Students from educational disruption | |
| University of Edinburgh | Yes (pre-sessional) | Living expenses | Case-by-case | Asylum seekers and refugees | |
| University of Southampton | Yes | Maintenance support | No | Asylum seekers | |
| LSE | Yes | Maintenance | No | Asylum seekers | |
| Durham University | Yes | Varies | No | Educational disruption | |
| University of Leeds | Yes | Varies | No | Educational disruption | |
| Newcastle University | Yes | Maintenance | No | Asylum seekers | |
| University of Nottingham | Yes | Maintenance | No | Asylum seekers | |
| University of Warwick | Yes | Maintenance | No | Asylum seekers | |
| University of York | Yes | Maintenance | No | Asylum seekers |
Additional scholarships exist at many more institutions. Full directory: STAR (Student Action for Refugees).
How to apply
Draw up a shortlist of 3–5 universities where you want to study and which offer a Sanctuary Scholarship.
Confirm which immigration statuses are accepted, whether a foundation year is covered, and the current year's award value.
If your situation is unusual, a short email before applying can save you a wasted full application.
Most schemes run once a year with a fixed closing date. Missing the deadline means waiting another year.
- Assuming a sanctuary scholarship automatically includes a foundation year — most do not, or treat it as a grey zone.
- Missing individual university deadlines — most run once per year with a fixed closing date.
- Applying without checking the immigration status eligibility — some scholarships are for asylum seekers only, some for those with leave to remain, some for both.
- Not emailing the scholarships office before applying if your situation is unusual.
Frequently asked questions
Can asylum seekers apply for a Sanctuary Scholarship?
Yes. Most Sanctuary Scholarships are designed specifically for asylum seekers who cannot access Student Finance England (SFE). Each university sets its own eligibility criteria — check the individual university page.
Does a Sanctuary Scholarship cover a foundation year?
It depends on the university. Oxford Brookes explicitly covers the Integrated Foundation Course for the full four years. Sheffield is a grey zone — foundation students must contact the university to discuss eligibility. University of Gloucestershire (Michael Perham) does NOT cover foundation years.
How do I apply for a Sanctuary Scholarship?
There is no central application system. You apply directly to each university. Each has its own deadline, usually once a year. Email the scholarships office in advance, especially if your immigration status is unusual.
Can I get a scholarship if I have refugee status rather than being an asylum seeker?
If you have Refugee Status or Leave to Remain, you are likely eligible for Student Finance England (SFE). Sanctuary Scholarships can supplement SFE — for example, Birmingham offers £5,000 per year on top of SFE for students with HP or DLR.
Are there scholarships for postgraduate study?
Yes. Imperial College London offers £21,000 per year plus a £1,500 grant — postgraduate only. Birkbeck (Bonnart Trust) offers £18,000 covering both undergraduate and postgraduate.
Where can I find the full list of Sanctuary Scholarships?
The STAR (Student Action for Refugees) directory at star-network.org.uk maintains an updated list. Also contact universities' admissions and scholarships offices directly.