Sanctuary Scholarship

Support for students seeking asylum in the UK to help them integrate into our community here at Lancaster.

At a glance

Amount: Full fees, up to £5,000 per year living costs.

Introduction

At Lancaster University we are committed to offering all the opportunities of higher education to those seeking a place of safety and security. Our Sanctuary Scholarships are available to students who are seeking asylum in the UK and are not entitled to receive statutory student financial support from Student Finance England (Wales or Northern Ireland) or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland. Please note, that there is a limited number of Sanctuary Scholarships available each year.

What does the Lancaster sanctuary scholarship offer?

A place to live

Free accommodation on the University campus. 

Tuition fee waiver

100% tuition fee discount until such a time as you are awarded a status in the UK that allows you to apply for support from Student Finance England (Wales or Northern Ireland) or Student Awards Agency for Scotland.

Support to live

Up to £5,000 per year to support with living costs, non-repayable until such a time as you are awarded a status in the UK that allows you to apply for support from Student Finance England (Wales or Northern Ireland) or Student Awards Agency for Scotland.

Support to succeed

A guaranteed place on the Lancaster Success Programme, which includes one-to-one coaching and support.

Who can apply?

Scholarships are open to applicants that:

• Are holding an offer for a UG or PGT course at Lancaster starting in October 2025 or September 2026.

• Are unable to access mainstream funding (e.g. a Student Finance loan).

You will be eligible for this scholarship if you residency status is one of the following:

• Asylum Seeker: Currently seeking asylum in the UK.

• Refused Asylum Seeker: Your application for refugee status has been denied, but a fresh claim is in process.

• Limited or Discretionary Leave to Remain.

• Indefinite Leave to Remain.

You will also be eligible for this scholarship if your status meets one of the following. This will only apply if you already have a degree of the same level you wish to study at Lancaster (from a University outside of the UK, and therefore ineligible for mainstream student funding):

• Refugee Status, or the spouse or child of someone with refugee status.

• Humanitarian Protection Status, or the spouse or child of someone with this status.

• Section 67 Leave, or the dependent child of someone with Section 67 Leave.

• Calais Leave.

• Stateless Person Leave, or the spouse or child of someone with this status.

• Leave granted under the Ukraine Family Scheme, the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, or the Ukraine Extension Scheme.

Application forms should be submitted by Friday 20 March 2026.