Sanctuary Scholarship

The Sanctuary Scholarship is a comprehensive funding opportunity offered by De Montfort University (DMU) to support asylum seekers in the UK who are unable to access student funding from the Student Loans Company and face international student fees. The scholarship provides vital financial support to enable these students to pursue undergraduate education. The scholarship offers a full fee waiver for the entire duration of the undergraduate course, plus an annual contribution of up to £3,500 towards living costs. Additionally, one scholarship recipient who is under the age of 25 on September 1, 2026 will be eligible for free accommodation in a DMU hall of residence for three years. Eight Sanctuary Scholarships are available each year for undergraduate students. Eligible applicants include those seeking asylum in the UK, dependents or partners of those seeking asylum, or individuals who have been granted Discretionary or Limited Leave to Remain as a result of an asylum application. Applicants must have applied to start a full-time undergraduate degree course at DMU starting in September 2026. The scholarship is designed to remove financial barriers and provide meaningful support to students from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds, enabling them to access higher education and build their futures in the UK.