University of Sanctuary
Welcome to the UoC Sanctuary
The University of Chester is proud to welcome people seeking sanctuary (asylum seekers and refugees) into our community, recognising the wealth of experience and knowledge they bring.
The University of Chester is committed to its ongoing work in creating a welcoming culture of inclusivity and awareness. From 2022, UoC will be formally working towards University of Sanctuary status.
The Universities of Sanctuary initiative currently engages with sanctuary seekers, and the wider university and local community in multiple activities. These include learning and teaching, student support, delivery of events such as UoC Refugee week, research projects, partnerships with community organisations and through the University of Chester’s Sanctuary Award.
Sanctuary Scholarships
The University of Chester aims to make higher education a reality for students who are seeking sanctuary in the UK
University of Chester’s Sanctuary Award - students seeking asylum
Our Sanctuary Award offers a full tuition fee waiver to a student who is:
- An asylum seeker – a person who has made a claim with the UK for refugee status
- A person who has been granted some form of temporary status – such as limited leave to remain
- Dependants or partners of any of the above status groups, whose claim is dependent on a principal applicant
Please note: Spouses/civil partners must have been the spouse/civil partner on the date on which the asylum application was made. Children/step-children must have been aged under 18 on the date on which the asylum application was made.
In addition to the full fee waiver, Sanctuary Scholars will also receive the following support:
- Up to £2,500 per year in-kind financial support package to help with essential study costs such as laptop/printer, stationery, textbooks, specialist clothes/equipment etc.
- A link member of staff to talk to if there are any personal, financial or academic issues you have concerns about. Your entitlement will be the same as for any other student and will include support to enable you to identify and overcome barriers to achievement on your programme of study.
Applicants to the Sanctuary Award will need to:
- Have been offered a place (conditional or unconditional) on an undergraduate or postgraduate programme at the University of Chester (with the exception of NHS-funded programmes which are not eligible for this award) before applying for the Sanctuary Award.
- Be unable to access UK Government Student Finance (tuition fee loans or maintenance loans/grants) by virtue of their immigration status
- Be able to provide evidence that their asylum application is under consideration by the Home Office
Priority will be given to applicants who already live within easy commuting distance of the University of Chester.
The Sanctuary Award is payable in each academic year of the course. This is unless, as a result of an asylum application, you (or your parents or spouse/civil partner) are granted indefinite leave to enter/remain in the UK. If this happens, you must inform the University and the award will cease from the start of the next academic year, when you would be expected to apply for student finance instead.
Sanctuary Award 2024-25 Applications
Please complete the application form below and read the guidance notes to apply for this award. The deadline for applications is 24th May 2024
To find out more please get in touch with Sandra Hughes by emailing studentexperience@chester.ac.uk.
Useful resources
The resources below provide more information about external sources of funding and support for asylum seekers, refugees and forced migrants.
- The Helena Kennedy Foundation (HKF)
- Refugee Education UK
- Student Action for Refugees
- Chester Borough of Sanctuary
- Asylum seekers, refugees and forced migrants Cheshire East
- Race and Equality Centre (CHAWREC)
- Schwab and Westheimer
- Displaced Student Opportunities UK
- City of Sanctuary - Chester
Application Form
More information
If you would like to get in touch and find out more about our financial and wellbeing support for sanctuary students, please email: studentexperience@chester.ac.uk.