Description
The University of East London (UEL) recognizes the profound challenges faced by individuals seeking asylum, many of whom experience financial hardship, legal uncertainty, and social vulnerability that significantly limit their access to higher education. In response to these systemic barriers, UEL has partnered with the Helena Kennedy Foundation to establish a dedicated scholarship route that ensures asylum seekers are not excluded from academic and professional development opportunities. This initiative reflects the University’s commitment to social justice, equality, and widening participation for marginalized groups. The scholarship is specifically aimed at prospective postgraduate students who are unable to access mainstream government student loans due to their immigration status. Many talented and highly motivated individuals in the asylum system are eager to pursue advanced academic qualifications but lack the financial means or legal eligibility to fund their studies. By covering full tuition fees for selected Master’s programmes, this scholarship offers an essential lifeline, enabling recipients to continue their educational journey while awaiting decisions regarding their immigration or residency status. Through this support, UEL fosters inclusion, empowers future leaders, and helps dismantle the structural obstacles that prevent asylum seekers from advancing their careers and contributing meaningfully to their communities.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the University of East London - Helena Kennedy Foundation Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship for the 2026/27 academic year, applicants must satisfy every one of the following requirements. These criteria ensure that the scholarship reaches individuals who are both academically ready and genuinely in need of financial and immigration-related support.
1. Immigration Status Requirements:
Applicants must fall into one of the approved asylum-related categories, confirming that they face restrictions that prevent access to traditional funding:
- Asylum Seeker: Individuals who have submitted an asylum application to the UK Home Office and are awaiting a final decision.
- Partner or Dependent of an Asylum Seeker: Those whose immigration status is linked to a parent, spouse, or guardian actively seeking asylum.
- Discretionary Leave to Remain (DLR) Holders or Similar Temporary Humanitarian Status: Applicants who have received temporary permission to remain in the UK after an asylum claim but do not qualify for permanent status or government financial support.
2. Academic Offer Requirement:
- Applicants must already hold a Conditional or Unconditional offer for a taught Master’s (Postgraduate) programme at UEL for the 2026/27 academic cycle.
- This ensures that only candidates who meet the university’s academic entry requirements and have formally applied for their chosen course are considered.
3. Financial Need & Ineligibility for Government Funding:
- Applicants must demonstrate that they are not eligible for mainstream student financial support, such as Student Finance England loans.
- This criterion is essential because the scholarship is specifically intended for individuals who are genuinely blocked from accessing standard funding due to their immigration status.
- Applicants must clearly show financial exclusion, as those who can access government loans will not be eligible.
4. Demonstrated Ability to Cover Living Costs:
- Because the scholarship only covers tuition fees, applicants must prove that they have the financial means to support: (a) Daily living expenses, (b) Housing/accommodation, (c) Food, transport, and essential needs
- This ensures that scholarship recipients can sustainably participate in their studies without relying on additional financial support from UEL.
5. Mandatory Immigration Documentation:
- Applicants must provide official, valid documentation from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) confirming their current immigration status.
- Accepted documents may include: (a) Home Office letters, (b) ARC card, (c) BRP (if applicable), (d) any other formal confirmation of asylum-related status
- Applicants must also give express consent allowing UEL to verify their immigration details directly with UKVI to ensure full compliance with legal and funding regulations.
Scholarship Value and Benefits
The University of East London Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship offers essential financial support to ensure that asylum-seeking students can pursue their Master's studies without the barrier of tuition fees. The benefits are clearly defined to maintain transparency and fairness.
1. Full Tuition Fee Waiver:
- 100% of Postgraduate tuition fees are fully covered, ensuring that the successful applicant does not need to pay any portion of their programme fees.
- This waiver applies to the entire duration of the Master’s degree, allowing students to focus wholly on their academic commitments without the burden of fee payments.
- The award is designed specifically for individuals who are unable to secure funding through Student Finance due to immigration restrictions.
2. Duration of Support:
- The scholarship remains active until the student obtains an immigration status that makes them eligible for mainstream Student Finance support (e.g., Refugee Status, Humanitarian Protection).
- If the student receives a positive immigration decision mid-course, they may transition to standard funding for the remaining duration of their programme.
- The scholarship ensures continuity during periods of immigration uncertainty, helping recipients remain enrolled and progress in their studies.
3. Important Restrictions and Clarifications:
- This is a tuition-only scholarship, meaning it does not cover: (a) Accommodation or housing costs, (b) Food, transport, or daily living expenses, (c) Study materials, laptops, fieldwork, or additional course-related costs
- Applicants must demonstrate the ability to support themselves financially during their studies because no living stipend, maintenance grant, or housing assistance is provided.
- There is no cash alternative available for any portion of the award.
Check also:
Cambridge MBA Scholarship 2026 (Boustany Foundation) | Partially Funded at the University of Cambridge, UK
Application Procedure
The application process is handled directly by the University of East London (UEL). Follow the steps below to ensure your application is complete and correctly submitted:
1. Secure an Offer:
- Apply for your preferred Postgraduate course at UEL through the official application portal.
- Ensure all required academic documents are included (transcripts, certificates, references, etc.).
- Wait to receive an official offer letter-either conditional or unconditional.
- This offer letter is mandatory before you can proceed to the scholarship application stage.
2. Submit Scholarship Application:
- Visit the UEL Scholarships webpage to access the online scholarship form.
- Fill out all required sections, including personal information, residency details, and course selection.
- Provide clear and accurate answers to all eligibility questions.
- Submit the completed scholarship form before the relevant deadline.
3. Provide Evidence:
- Upload valid UKVI documentation as proof of your immigration status (Asylum, Refugee Status, Discretionary Leave to Remain, etc.).
- Ensure the documents are: (a) Clear and readable, (b) Up-to-date and valid, (c) Uploaded in accepted formats (PDF/JPG)
- Applications without proper documentation will not be considered.
Selection Rounds and Timeline:
Applications for the September 2026 intake are processed in two evaluation rounds:
- Round 1: (a) Applicable for applications submitted from November 2025 to 12 April 2026. (b) Ideal for early applicants who want faster confirmation and more time to prepare.
- Round 2: (a) For applications submitted between 12 April 2026 and 2 August 2026. (b) This is the final window for scholarship consideration for the September intake.
Decision Notification:
- All applicants will receive an update via email.
- Notification timeframe: within 3 weeks of the closing date of the round in which they applied.
- Emails may include: (a) Scholarship award decision, (b) Requests for additional documents (if needed), (c) Next steps for successful candidates
For more info and to apply, please visit here.
Website URL
https://www.uel.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/scholarships-bursaries/postgraduate-scholarships-bursaries/postgraduate-scholarship-asylum-seekers