Scholarship scheme to help refugee students

Applications for the University of Reading’s Sanctuary Scholarships scheme are now open, offering financial assistance to those hoping to start or continue their education in the UK.

There are 12 scholarships available for sanctuary seekers (people with refugee, humanitarian protected or asylum seeker status) for 2023 entry. The range of scholarships include undergraduate and postgraduate level, as well as support for pre-sessional academic English courses.

Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: “No one studying to further their education and improve their life opportunities should be disadvantaged because they’ve had to flee their country in order to stay safe.

“The Sanctuary Scholarships scheme is our way of helping people who have had to do just that, and is one of many ways we offer our support to refugees and all sanctuary seekers here at Reading.”

The schemes available include free tuition on Reading's summer English language courses, bursaries for undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and combined scholarships and bursaries specifically for refugees.

Applications for eligible students are now open and the deadline for submissions is 11:59pm on Friday 26 May.

Scholarship students

Since 2020, the University has given scholarships to 26 new students through the Sanctuary Scholarships scheme.

Adam (not his real name) was a recipient of a Sanctuary Scholarship. Adam travelled to the UK seeking refugee status in 2019 after the situation in his home country became too dangerous for himself and his family.

He said: “It was a changing point in our lives. We had already been through so much. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to pursue the type of work I wanted without a degree, and I was starting to become fearful for our futures.

“When I received the funding, it changed everything. It felt like the pressure had finally been lifted after so many years.”

The University of Reading is committed to welcoming and including sanctuary seekers across its teaching, research and community activities.

Learn more about the University’s work to welcome sanctuary seekers.