University of Sanctuary Scholarship

The University of Sanctuary Scholarship is available to new postgraduate taught students taking up a place to study in October 2026, who have been granted UK Asylum status or Discretionary/Limited Leave to Remain as a result of an asylum application, and those with Humanitarian Protection, as result of an asylum application or through a dependants claim.

The scholarship includes:

A full tuition fee waiver on a one-year full time Postgraduate Taught Masters programme
University accommodation
£6,000 to support living and study costs

Eligibility

Immigration status: Eligibility will be based on the following permissions being granted by the Home Office and alignment with UNHCR guidelines:

• a refugee (subject to obtaining an appropriate permissions), or
• granted Refugee or Humanitarian Protection status, or
• discretionary Leave to Remain, or
• Limited Leave to Remain following an asylum application, individually or through a dependent's
• claim, or be seeking asylum within the UK
• Leave to remain must cover the duration of your studies

A recognised refugee in a third country who obtains the appropriate visa from the UK to study here for the duration of that degree programme.
This scholarship is restricted to students who are entirely self-funded*.
This scholarship is available to Home UK or overseas fee payers.
All applicants must have received a conditional or unconditional offer to study an eligible Postgraduate programme at the University of Essex before 2nd June 2026.
Students must register at the University of Essex in October 2026 for the first year of a 1-year full-time Masters course in academic year 2026-27 only, leading to the degree of: MA, MSc, or LLM.