The Sanctuary Scholarship

This scholarship offers funding and support for asylum seekers and refugees who are not able to access student finance to study undergraduate courses at UWE Bristol.

For each academic year, UWE Bristol will be offering two scholarships to support asylum seekers and refugees who are not able to access student finance to study undergraduate courses at UWE Bristol.

The scholarship will include:

  • full tuition fee waiver for the duration of the course
  • £5,000 annual bursary for the duration of the course as a contribution towards study costs
  • access to support from UWE Cares.

Eligibility

You can apply if you:

  • are an asylum seeker or meet one of the other immigration status requirements listed in the terms and conditions
  • are unable to access UK Government student financial support for higher education because of your immigration status
  • have a conditional or unconditional offer for a UWE Bristol undergraduate programme of study.

For further details on eligibility and the scholarship please read our terms and conditions (PDF).

If you have refugee status or humanitarian protection and are eligible for UK student finance, you are not eligible for the Sanctuary Scholarship. You will be offered the same means-tested support we offer to other financially vulnerable groups through UWE Cares, including the UWE Cares Enhanced Bursary. You can find more information at UWE Cares.

Application process

The application form will be assessed by a diverse panel of representatives from across the University, including academics with expertise and experience of working with refugee and asylum-seeking communities.

Applications for the Sanctuary Scholarship 2025 are now open. Please apply using the online application form. 

Apply now

You should read the Application guidance notes (PDF) before completing your application.

Key dates

  • Sunday 8 June 2025 – closing date for applications.
  • Friday 25 July 2025 – candidates notified of final award decisions.

Contact us

For any queries regarding the UWE Bristol Sanctuary Scholarship, please email EDIprojects@uwe.ac.uk.