Students Seeking Asylum

Our Sanctuary Award supports up to two students per year seeking sanctuary in the UK to undertake a course in higher education. We will cover your fees and also help with additional costs with a bursary of up to £5000 per year. This award does not include accommodation costs.

Our Sanctuary Award offers a full tuition fee waiver and bursary to two students per year who are already living in the UK and who are:

• Seeking asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK, or a dependent or partner of someone seeking asylum
• A dependent or partner of someone who has been granted limited leave to remain or some other form of temporary status

Spouses/civil partners must have been the spouse/civil partner on the date 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.

In addition to the fee waiver we can help you cover the costs that come with studying (for example books, IT equipment, travel costs or other costs which will enable you to study successfully) up to a maximum of £5000 per year.

Applicants for the Sanctuary Award will need to:

• Have been offered a place (conditional or firm) on an undergraduate programme at the University of Winchester before applying for the Sanctuary Award
• Be unable to access UK Government Student Finance (tuition fee loans or maintenance loans/grants) by virtue of their immigration status
• Be able to provide evidence that their asylum application is under consideration by the Home Office

Priority will be given to applicants who already live within easy commuting distance of the University of Winchester.