Sanctuary Award

The Sanctuary Award is a scholarship program offered by Cardiff Metropolitan University to provide equal opportunities for people seeking sanctuary in the UK. Since 2017, the University has offered these scholarships as part of its commitment to being a welcoming, safe and friendly environment for forced migrants. The scholarship provides comprehensive financial support including a full fee waiver for undergraduate or postgraduate courses, plus additional assistance for study costs, travel, meals, and personal support through mentorship. Cardiff Metropolitan University was the first university in Wales to be recognized as a University of Sanctuary in 2018. The program specifically targets asylum seekers, individuals with discretionary leave to remain or humanitarian protection, refugees, and those in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine/Ukraine Family scheme. Each scholarship covers all tuition fees for the duration of the course, provides assistance with local travel to campus, includes a daily on-campus meal allowance, offers personal support from a dedicated mentor, and provides a laptop loan for the duration of study. The scholarships are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs. This initiative aims to remove financial barriers to higher education for forced migrants and support them to meet their full potential and ambitions. The University also extends special consideration to asylum seekers not receiving scholarships by charging them local student fees rather than higher international student fees. The scholarship is highly competitive with limited places available each year.