Sanctuary Scholarships

This is a competitive process and applications will be judged using the selection criteria below:

• The applicant has provided a clear rationale for applying for a course at the University of Sheffield.
• The applicant has clearly articulated future ambitions these goals relate to the degree they have applied for.
• The applicant has outlined personal circumstances that have presented a challenge to academic progress and has detailed how any barriers have been overcome successfully. Please note, you do not need to give detailed information about the events that led to you seeking asylum.

This will include answering some questions about your studies and the scholarship. Your answers will then be sent to a panel of senior University staff, who will assess all eligible applications.

This is a competitive process and applications will be judged using the selection criteria below:

• The applicant has provided a clear rationale for applying for a course at the University of Sheffield.
• The applicant has clearly articulated future ambitions these goals relate to the degree they have applied for.
• The applicant has outlined personal circumstances that have presented a challenge to academic progress and has detailed how any barriers have been overcome successfully. You do not need to give detailed information about the events that led to you seeking asylum.

To be eligible for the scholarship, you are required to meet the criteria below:

• You have been granted humanitarian protection or limited leave to remain in the UK or be a dependant or partner of someone with humanitarian protection or limited leave to remain or you or your parent/guardian or partner are an asylum seeker and have submitted a claim within the UK for refugee status and have not yet received a decision from the Home Office on that application.
• You have applied for asylum on arrival in the UK, and before you have applied for a place at university.
• You currently attend a school, college or community/voluntary group that will provide a reference in support of your application.
• You hold an offer from the University of Sheffield to study an undergraduate or postgraduate taught course starting in September 2026. Students who require a foundation or conversion course as part of their offer to study at the University should contact us to discuss their eligibility.
• You do not hold a qualification equal to or higher than the one you are applying for. Contact the Student Fees and Funding team if you have withdrawn from a previous course.
• You are ineligible for other University scholarships, for example, Access to Sheffield Scholarships or a University bursary for undergraduate studies.
• You are not eligible to receive support from a UK funding agency, for example, Student Finance England.