The University of Westminster Sanctuary Scholarship 2026 is a fully funded opportunity designed for asylum seekers and refugee status holders, offering full tuition fee waivers and financial support to pursue a Master’s degree in the UK.
If you’re looking for postgraduate scholarships that truly remove financial barriers, this sanctuary scholarship is one of the most generous available in 2026.
University of Westminster Sanctuary Scholarship Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
| Scholarship Name | University of Westminster Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026 |
| Location | London, United Kingdom |
| Level | Master’s Degree (Postgraduate, Full-time) |
| Eligible Applicants | Asylum seekers, refugees, or those with discretionary/limited leave to remain (from an asylum application), resident in UK, not eligible for Student Finance postgraduate loans |
| Benefit | Full tuition fee waiver + £1,000/month maintenance stipend for up to 12 months |
| Number of Awards | Two scholarships available for January 2026 entry |
| Not Eligible | Those with a prior Master’s degree; those who can get student loans; part-time, professional, conversion, Integrated Masters / MPhil etc. |
| Application Deadline | 3 November 2025 |
| How to Apply | Complete the application form; include supporting documents (transcripts, proof of immigration status); submit as PDF to scholarships@westminster.ac.uk |
What is the University of Westminster Sanctuary Scholarship 2026?
The University of Westminster Sanctuary Scholarship 2026 supports students who have sought asylum or hold refugee status in the UK and are not eligible for postgraduate financial support via Student Finance.
It offers a full tuition waiver, plus living costs, to ensure students can focus on their studies without financial hardship.
Scholarship Benefits
- Full waiver of tuition fees for the selected Master’s course.
- Maintenance grant: £1,000 per month over 12 months (i.e. up to £12,000 total) to cover living expenses during the study period.
Who is Eligible?
To apply, candidates must meet all the following:
- Course Offer – Must have an offer from Westminster for a full-time Master’s programme beginning January 2026.
- Residency & Immigration Status – Must be residing in the UK and hold one of:
- UK asylum seeker,
- UK discretionary leave to remain (from an asylum application),
- UK limited leave to remain (from an asylum application),
- UK refugee status.
- No Prior Master’s Degree – Applicants with a Master’s already are not eligible.
- Cannot Access Student Finance Loans – If you can receive taught postgraduate student loans from Student Finance, you do not qualify.
- Course Exclusions – Some programmes are not eligible, specifically:
- Postgraduate Diplomas,
- Professional courses (e.g. RIBA Part III, ACCA, CIMA, CiLEX),
- Conversion courses (e.g. Graduate Diploma in Law),
- Integrated Master’s, MPhil, etc.
Application Process & Deadline
Deadline: 3 November 2025 at 5 pm London time.
How to Apply
- Ensure you have an offer for the eligible Master’s course at Westminster starting in January 2026.
- Complete the Sanctuary Scholarship Application Form.
- Gather required supporting documents: academic transcripts, proof of immigration status (e.g. biometric residence permit / Home Office letter etc.).
- Submit everything in PDF format to mailto:scholarships@westminster.ac.ukby the deadline.
For more details, visit the official website here.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
- Make sure your immigration status documents are up-to-date and clearly show which category you fall under.
- Highlight in your personal statement or essays how the scholarship would impact your academic goals and how you will contribute to the Westminster community.
- Provide strong academic transcripts and, if possible, reference letters to back up your performance and readiness for postgraduate work.
- Check early whether any of your desired course types are excluded (professional, conversion, etc.).
Comparison with Other Scholarships & Why it Stands Out
While there are many postgraduate scholarships in the UK, what makes Westminster’s Sanctuary Scholarship 2026 particularly standout is:
- Full tuition + generous maintenance grant specifically for asylum/refugee status holders, which is less common.
- No requirement for IELTS (for many similar scholarships) — note: you’ll still need to meet the course’s language requirements, but the scholarship criteria do not explicitly require IELTS. (Confirm with Westminster if a specific course requires it.)
Important Notes
- Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee the award; the number of scholarships is limited. For January 2026, two awards are available.
- Applicants must remain eligible throughout the selection process; changes in immigration status or becoming eligible for Student Finance could affect your eligibility
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