Sanctuary Scholarships at SOAS 2026/27

SOAS Sanctuary Scholarships 2026/27:

The SOAS Sanctuary Scholarships were established in 2015 to support displaced people who may otherwise face barriers to accessing higher education, particularly those with precarious or limited immigration status. The scheme provides financial support to eligible students pursuing an undergraduate degree at SOAS.

Eligibility Criteria for the SOAS Sanctuary Scholarships 2026/27:

• Applicant must be applying for a full-time three-year undergraduate degree programme beginning in September 2026.
• Applicant must be a displaced person who falls into one of the following categories:
  • Asylum seeker who has submitted a claim for asylum in the UK or is actively appealing a negative asylum decision.
  • Person with Discretionary Leave to Remain or Limited Leave to Remain.
  • Person with Humanitarian Protection status, or the spouse or child of someone with Humanitarian Protection status.
  • Person with Refugee status, or the spouse or child of someone with Refugee status.
  • Dependant of a person belonging to any of the above status groups.
• Applicant must alternatively have come to the UK under one of the following schemes:
  • UK Refugee Resettlement Scheme (UKRS)
  • Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme
  • Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP)
  • Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS)
  • Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme (VCRS)
  • Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine)
  • Ukraine Family Scheme
• Applicant must be resident in the UK.
• Applicant must have been assigned Home Fee status.
• Applicant must have received an offer of study for a three-year undergraduate course beginning in September 2026.
• Applicant must meet all the conditions of the offer to be admitted to the degree programme and receive the scholarship.
• Applicant must not have previously studied at an equivalent or higher level.
• Applicant must provide evidence of their immigration status to SOAS by the scholarship application deadline.
• Applicant must provide evidence that their Student Finance loan application was rejected, if applicable.

Application Process for the SOAS Sanctuary Scholarships 2026/27:

• Applicant must apply for an eligible undergraduate programme through UCAS.
• Applicant may submit a scholarship application before receiving an offer of admission, but must have an offer of study to be considered by the Sanctuary Scholarship selection panel.
• Applicant must submit the scholarship application by 12 noon UK local time on 3 July 2026 through the SOAS admissions portal.
• Applicant must have applied for a course at SOAS to receive the login credentials required to access the admissions portal.
• Applicant must provide the required information in the scholarship application and online admission application.
• Applicant must demonstrate their rationale for choosing the degree at SOAS.
• Applicant must describe their learning trajectory, academic achievements, and obstacles overcome.
• Applicant must explain how the degree will support their future plans and intentions.
• Applicant must provide the required supporting references.
• Applicant will be assessed by a selection panel of at least three members based on the information provided in the scholarship and admission applications.

Value of the Scholarship:

• Full tuition fee waiver at the Home fee rate for a full-time undergraduate degree of three years' duration.
• £12,000 maintenance support per academic year towards living costs.

Notes:

• The scholarship is specifically intended to support displaced people and applicants from asylum-seeking or refugee backgrounds.
• The tuition fee waiver applies at the Home fee rate only.
• Applicants must meet the conditions of their undergraduate offer before being accepted onto the degree programme and receiving the scholarship.
• Applicants must provide evidence of their immigration status by the scholarship deadline.