Equal Access Scholarship (undergraduate)

The Equal Access Scholarship is a comprehensive funding opportunity offered by the University of York for asylum-seeking students who are seeking refuge in the UK and wish to pursue undergraduate studies. The scholarship provides both a full tuition fee waiver and a substantial maintenance award to support living costs for three years of undergraduate study. This scholarship specifically aims to support sanctuary-seeking students to access higher education, recognizing the unique challenges faced by asylum seekers in pursuing their academic goals. The scholarship covers all tuition fees for three years of an undergraduate degree program, ensuring recipients do not need to pay any fees. Additionally, it provides a maintenance award of up to £12,300 per annum for living expenses over the same three-year period. Two scholarships are available for the 2026/27 academic year, selected through a competitive application process that considers academic merit, personal statements, and supporting questions that assess motivation, research, and resilience. Eligible applicants must have applied for asylum before applying to university and must not have access to mainstream funding such as Student Finance England or local authority grants. The scholarship is open to students with various immigration statuses including Discretionary Leave to Remain, Indefinite Leave to Remain, Humanitarian Protection, or those awaiting asylum decisions. Recipients must make the University of York their firm choice and maintain satisfactory academic progress throughout their studies. The University also provides dedicated support services for sanctuary-seeking students through the Student Hub.