The Sanctuary Scholarships scheme is open for applications for 2023-2024 study
The University of Warwick is located on the outskirts of the city of Coventry which is recognised as a 'City of Sanctuary'. The 'City of Sanctuary' movement is committed to building a culture of hospitality and welcome, especially for those seeking sanctuary from war and persecution. The University of Warwick is committed to creating a culture of welcome for people seeking sanctuary within, and beyond, our campus, and was successfully awarded University of Sanctuary status in 2017.
You may also be able seek support from cara.ngo, who help academics from any country in the world, on any continent, who are being forced to flee.
Scholarships are available to students who are seeking asylum in the UK and are not entitled to receive statutory student financial support from Student Finance England (Wales or Northern Ireland) or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland.
Please note that there are limited numbers of Sanctuary Scholarships and not all applications will be successful.
The successful applicants will receive:
Full Tuition Fee Support - Students will be offered a non-repayable 100% tuition fee waiver until such time as you are awarded status that enables you to access student finance.
Maintenance Support - Students will be awarded a non-repayable grant equivalent to the maximum government Maintenance Loan for 2023-24, £9,488* for students living away from the parental home (e.g., mature student/adult) and £7,987* if they are living in the parental home (dependants) towards living costs and course-related expenses, until such time as you are awarded status that enables you to access student finance.
Awarded scholars also will be considered for additional funding equivalent to the Warwick Bursary, this will be managed by the Student Funding Team.
*We are awaiting confirmation of government guidance and regulations for 2023-24 and expect to update this page shortly.
Applicants who do not meet the full criteria will not be considered for an award.You must ensure that you meet one of the Asylum eligibility criteria outlined below in order to apply and all three of the Education eligibility criteria. You must be able to provide documentary evidence to verify your circumstances in relation to each criteria.
Section 1: Asylum eligibility criteria
You must meet ONE of these:
You have sought asylum in the UK or were included as a dependant (spouse/child) on an application for asylum. Please note: Spouses/civil partners must have been the spouse/civil partner on the date on which the asylum application was made. Children/step-children must have been aged under 18 on the date on which the asylum application was made.
OR
You have received a decision on your claim for asylum, which has resulted in an award of DLR (Discretionary Leave to Remain), LLR (Limited Leave to Remain), Humanitarian Protection, or some other form of temporary status.
Section 2: Education eligibility criteria
You must also meet ALL THREE of these
1. You must also hold a conditional or unconditional offer (or be awaiting a decision) for one of the following courses starting in September 2023:
The Sanctuary Scholarships scheme is open applications for 2023-24 study.
Receipt of your application will be acknowledged by email and the application will only be accepted if it is accompanied by a referee's supporting statement and signature. We may contact you and/or your referee to request further information or supporting documentation if required. You will be contacted within 6 weeks of applying to advise you of the outcome or progress of your application.
Please note that there are limited numbers of Sanctuary Scholarships and not all applications will be successful.
Please read the guidance notes fully before completing the application on-line form and before contacting the University with any further questions about the application form, as you may find your answer in these notes. Guidance notes are to help you complete the application form for the UG Sanctuary Scholarship
Where an application has been submitted via UCAS, Warwick must be your firm choice in order for a funding offer to be made.
Warwick Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarships are payable in each academic year of your course until such time as you (or your parents or spouse/civil partner) are granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK, and you become able to access UK Government Student Financial Support (Tuition and Maintenance loans). Your award will then cease from the start of the next academic year.
if you are awarded a Sanctuary Scholarship but do not meet all your academic conditions, your scholarship offer cannot be deferred. If you defer your course entry start date in order to achieve your offer conditions, you will have to apply again for Sanctuary Scholarship for your new year of entry.
If you meet your academic course conditions but are not awarded a Sanctuary Scholarship, you can still start your studies on a self-funded basis.
Please ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria in full and read the guidance notes before completing the application form.
Additional information
Contextual offers: You will need to apply to your course at Warwick first and then for a Sanctuary scholarship. We know that grades can be influenced by a range of factors, so to make the processes fairer, we offer contextual admissions on undergraduate courses for refugees and asylum seekers – meaning we may offer a reduced grade requirement or remove other additional requirements.
National Asylum Support Service (NASS): If you are currently in receipt of National Asylum Support Service (NASS) we recommend you seek advice from your immigration solicitor, as receiving this scholarship could have implications on your ongoing NASS entitlement.
Bank accounts: At this time we are only able to make Scholarship payments into a bank account. You may find our webpages on opening a UK bank account useful.
