University of Exeter Sanctuary Scholarship 2026

The Sanctuary Scholarship scheme enables individuals seeking asylum and refugees who are not able to access student finance to study at the University of Exeter.

• Table of Content
• About University of Exeter
• University of Exeter Undergraduate Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of University of Exeter Undergraduate Scholarship
• Requirements for University of Exeter Undergraduate Scholarship Qualification
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

University of Exeter Undergraduate Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of University of Exeter Undergraduate Scholarship

• Undergraduates – a full tuition fee waiver plus a grant for living costs of £11,500 for each year of study. An Access to Exeter Bursary of £2,300 per year is also awarded.
• Doctorate Students (STEM disciplines) - a full tuition fee waiver plus an annual living cost grant of £20,780*. A research allowance of £5,000 per year will also be paid.  All funding will normally be for a maximum of 3.5 years.
• Doctorate Students (HASS disciplines) - a full tuition fee waiver plus an annual living cost grant of £20,780*. A research allowance of £750 per year will also be paid. All funding will normally be for a maximum of 3 years.

This amount will increase for 26/27 in line with the UKRI recommended stipend level.

Requirements for University of Exeter Undergraduate Scholarship Qualification

Sanctuary Scholarship applications will be considered from students applying to the following programmes:

• Full-time undergraduate degree programmes
• Full-time Doctorate level programmes (eg PhD, EngD, EdD, MPhil)

The following programmes are not eligible for Sanctuary Scholarship funding:

• BMBS Medicine – this is due to a cap imposed by the NHS on the number of home students we can recruit to the programme.  Any change to the fee status of a student during their studies would put the University in breach of this cap
• Any taught or research Masters programmes (eg MA, MSc, MRes, MbyRes)

As well as meeting the academic requirements for your chosen programme of study you will also need to demonstrate one of the following:

• You have submitted a claim for asylum within the UK and are awaiting a response (this includes submission of a fresh claim) or
• You have been granted Limited Leave to Remain (formerly Discretionary Leave to Remain) on the grounds of seeking protection in the UK and are not eligible for funding via Student Finance England or
• You have been awarded ‘Humanitarian Protection’ or Refugee status in the UK but are not eligible for funding via Student Finance England or
• You have left care in the UK and are assessed as international for tuition fee purposes and are not eligible for funding via Student Finance England or
• (For applicants to postgraduate research programmes only) You have been granted refugee status* by the UK Home Office or
• You are the family member of someone with one of the immigration statuses listed above with ‘in line’ or ‘dependent’ status

If you have been granted a visa under any of the Ukraine schemes and are currently resident in the UK, you will be eligible to apply for funding via Student Finance England, and so will not be eligible for this scholarship.  

The University of Exeter have produced eligibility criteria to help you understand whether you meet our definition of a sanctuary seeker. The criteria are intended to capture the majority of situations, but University of Exeter appreciate that there are highly individual circumstances that might not be captured. If this is the case, please do get in touch with University of Exeter for further clarification.

Documents Required for Application

In addition to your details, you’ll need to upload proof of your immigration status, personal statement, references and for research students your research proposal.  

• Immigration status: This can be your most recent Home Office letter or share code.
• Personal statement: Make your statement personal to you and your plans. In 500 words, tell us why you want to study your subject specifically at the University of Exeter.
• References: Your references should be from someone who is aware of your education history and can testify to your academic ability, ambition and potential. Referees are ideally from your most recent place of study.
• Research students: Upload your research proposal.  

Check also:
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027
Global Korea Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

1. Apply for Admission at the University of Exeter.
2. Apply for the University of Exeter Sanctuary Scholarship.

Contact: Jim Price [email protected]

For more information, kindly visit University of Exeter scholarship webpage.