STUDENTS SEEKING ASYLUM

We are committed to creating opportunities for all to study at the University of Winchester, particularly those in difficult circumstances.

The University of Winchester Sanctuary Scholarship Award offers a full tuition fee waiver and a bursary of up to £5000 per year to up to two students per year already living in the UK to undertake an undergraduate course in higher education 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 under an asylum, refugee, or other humanitarian route. 
 
Please note: Spouses/civil partners must have been the spouse/civil partner on the date which the asylum application was made. Children/stepchildren 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. This award does not include accommodation costs. 

Academic English support is also available for students for whom English is a second language throughout the year. A member of our Academic Success team can provide help with academic reading, writing, speaking, and listening, as well as vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and discourse. 

Eligibility

Applicants for the Sanctuary Scholarship 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. Potential applicants who have not already applied for a course can find information on courses available via our Course Finder or contact the Sanctuary team for more advice. 
• Not already hold the equivalent of a UK degree 
• 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 recent evidence that their asylum application is under consideration by the Home Office* 
 
Please note: The University of Winchester is required to ensure that all students studying at the University have a legal right to do so. As such we are required to record copies of your immigration status in the UK. If you are seeking asylum in the UK we will need to see evidence of your application, which can be proven with your ARC, and a copy of your Bail 201 form which specifies the conditions you are permitted to remain in the UK. We are particularly interested in any limitation on study. 

Priority will be given to applicants who already live within easy commuting distance (25-mile radius) of the University of Winchester, and all applicants must commit to living within this distance when they begin their course. 

The Sanctuary Scholarship Award is payable in three instalments in each standard academic year of the course. This is unless, as a result of an asylum application, you (or your parents or spouse/civil partner) are granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK. If this happens, you must inform the University and the award will cease from the start of the next academic year, when you would be expected to apply for student finance instead. 

How to apply

If you wish to apply for the Sanctuary Scholarship Award for 2026 entry: 

Once you have received your offer of a place on a course at the University of Winchester, please complete the online application form. 

Sanctuary Award Application Form (September 2026 entry) - Application Form 

Please note that BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, BN (Hons) Nursing (all pathways) and BSc (Hons) Nutrition and Dietetics are excluded from the Sanctuary Award. (This list is correct at the time of publishing but may be subject to review and alteration). 

If you are considering applying for BSc (Hons) Professional Policing, please note the College of Policing have additional requirements that you are required to meet to become a police constable. Further information is available from the College of Policing website and we would encourage you to review this information before submitting your application for a Professional Policing degree. 

Please note that the Sanctuary Scholarship Award is only available to applicants studying their first undergraduate degree and recipients are not eligible to receive other University of Winchester bursary support such as the Widening Participation Bursary, Care Leavers Bursary or Estranged Students Bursary. 

Since 2022, Ukrainian nationals have been able to apply to Student Finance for funding and are therefore no longer eligible for the Sanctuary Scholarship Award. We recommend Ukrainian applicants contact to discuss their financial needs and course enquiries for other queries about their application. 

For more information and help with getting to and paying for university, please visit the Refugee Education UK website. 