Sanctuary scholarship student in library

Get funding to cover tuition fees

Plus ongoing support

If you're seeking asylum and studying for an undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree, you could get a Sanctuary Scholarship to cover all of your undergraduate tuition fees.

You'll also get ongoing personal and financial support during your course so you can concentrate on your studies

There's usually one Sanctuary Scholarship available each year. However, we have currently awarded the maximum number of scholarships that we can award at any one time. This means that whether we award a Sanctuary Scholarship for 2025/26 is dependent on one or more of our current scholars' immigration status changing between now and the summer of 2025.

Therefore, while we are provisionally accepting applications for 2025/26, please be aware that we might not be in a position to award another Sanctuary Scholarship in 2025. If you apply, we will inform you by the end of June 2025 whether a scholarship is to be awarded in the next academic year and whether your application has been successful. In the meantime, you are welcome to also apply for similar scholarships at other universities to maximise your chances of success. 

What it includes

  • Full tuition fees for each year of an undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree (including a sandwich year)
  • Financial support towards study costs – for example books, IT equipment, travel costs or other costs that help you to study effectively

You'll also get personal support to help identify and overcome barriers to achievement on your course.

Eligibility

To be considered for the Sanctuary Scholarship, at least one of the following must apply:

  • You have submitted an application to the UK Home Office for asylum or humanitarian protection
  • You have been granted Discretionary or Limited Leave to Remain or some other form of temporary status as a result of an asylum application and are not eligible for funding from Student Finance England
  • You are the spouse/civil partner or dependant of someone who has submitted an application to the UK Home Office for asylum or humanitarian protection
  • You are the spouse/civil partner or dependant of someone who has been granted Discretionary or Limited Leave to Remain or some other form of temporary status as a result of an asylum application and are not eligible for funding from Student Finance England

Spouses/civil partners must have been your spouse/civil partner on the date they made an asylum application. If you're a dependant of someone, you must have been aged under 18 on the date they made an asylum application.

You must also:

  • Have a conditional or unconditional offer from the ºÚÁÏÈë¿Ú for entry in September 2025 onto an undergraduate degree course (excluding NHS funded and ICP courses)
  • Be attending a school, college, community or voluntary group, which can provide a reference in support of your application
  • Not need support for accommodation and living expenses and live within a suitable distance to easily commute to the University
  • Be unable to access UK Government student financial support because of your immigration status
  • Be able to provide evidence that the UK Home Office is considering your (or your spouse/civil partner/parent/carer's) asylum application
  • Be willing to act as a champion for the University to encourage future students to progress to higher education

See terms and conditions for full eligibility criteria.

Applying for the Sanctuary Scholarship

To apply, you must hold a conditional or unconditional offer to study an undergraduate degree starting in September 2025.

Details on how to apply for courses are on all course pages.

You'll need to complete a brief application to demonstrate how studying at the ºÚÁÏÈë¿Ú and being awarded this scholarship will prepare you for your future.

Asking for an application form

Once you hold an offer to study with us, email sanctuary@port.ac.uk to ask for a Sanctuary Scholarship application form.

Sending your application form

When you send your completed application form, you'll also need to include:

  • a copy of your ºÚÁÏÈë¿Ú offer letter
  • the name and contact details of a referee from someone at your school, college, community or voluntary group
  • evidence of your current immigration status

Deadline for applications

The deadline for 2025 Sanctuary Scholarship applications is 5pm on 30 April 2025

We'll let you know if your application is successful by the end of June 2025

If your circumstances change

You must let us know if you (or your parents or spouse/civil partner) are granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK as a result of an asylum application.

If this happens, your scholarship will end at the start of the next academic year. You'll then be classed as a home (UK) student and be eligible for UK Government financial support such as a student loan.

Getting other scholarships and bursaries

You may also be eligible for our Sanctuary Language Bursary and other UK student bursaries and scholarships.

See our scholarships and bursaries page for more details of what's available to home (UK) students. Or contact us by email at studentfinance@port.ac.uk or by phone on +44 (0) 2392 843014.

The  has details of scholarships and bursaries available at other universities for people seeking sanctuary.