Applications are now open for the Royal Holloway Sanctuary Scholarship 2026, an exceptional opportunity for students who have fled persecution and are seeking asylum in the United Kingdom to pursue higher education. This scholarship aims to remove financial barriers and support talented individuals in achieving their academic dreams.Register now for new programs at MK SCHOLARS

Offered by Royal Holloway, University of London, the Sanctuary Scholarship reflects the institution’s commitment to inclusivity and equal access to education. The program is specifically designed to empower asylum seekers and those with similar statuses by providing financial support and academic opportunities at one of the UK’s respected universities.

SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS

·       Full tuition fee reduction

·       £12,000 contribution towards living costs

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must:

·       Be an asylum seeker, the child of an asylum seeker, or hold Discretionary Leave to Remain

·       Be ineligible for funding from the Student Loan Company (tuition fee or maintenance loan)

·       Have the right to study in the UK

·       Hold an offer to study an undergraduate course at Royal Holloway

·       Provide evidence of having sought or intending to seek asylum, or be awaiting a decision on an application for international protection

AVAILABLE PROGRAMS

·       Undergraduate degree programs offered at Royal Holloway, University of London

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Applicants must submit the following:

1. Scholarship Statement (Maximum 1,000 words):
This statement should include:

·       Country of origin

·       Reasons for seeking asylum (political, religious, educational, etc.)

·       Current immigration status in the UK

·       Date of arrival in the UK and status of asylum application

·       Personal and family circumstances, including challenges overcome

·       Academic achievements and their significance

·       Reasons for choosing the selected degree program

·       Future goals and how the scholarship will support them

·       Any additional relevant information

Note: Applications exceeding 1,000 words will be automatically rejected.

2. Referee’s Supporting Statement:
This should include:

·       Applicant’s personal and financial circumstances

·       Barriers overcome in pursuing education

·       Suitability for the chosen course and realistic ambitions

·       Contributions to school/college and community

·       Expected benefits from the scholarship

·       Referee’s name, contact details, and relationship to the applicant

3. Immigration Documents:

·       Copies of relevant immigration or asylum-related documents

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

·       Apply for and secure an offer for an undergraduate program at Royal Holloway

·       Prepare your scholarship statement (maximum 1,000 words)

·       Request a referee to complete and submit a supporting statement

·       Upload all required documents, including immigration documents, via the applicant portal

·       Ensure all submissions are complete before the deadline

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

·       Applicants are strongly encouraged to share their scholarship statement with their referee to ensure consistency and strength in their application

·       Incomplete applications or those exceeding the word limit will not be considered

·       The scholarship is highly competitive and awarded based on merit and need

APPLICATION DEADLINE

20 April 2026