Aber Sanctuary Scholarship

We are delighted that from the 2022/23 Academic Year, Aberystwyth University have been offering Sanctuary Scholarships.

Applications for 2024 are open from Monday 5th February 2024 Aber Sanctuary scholarship 2024-25

The deadline to submit an application Monday 8th April 2024, by 2359 GMT at the latest.

 

We are a diverse and inclusive community and recognise our role in breaking down barriers that may prevent individuals from achieving their aspirations.

Our Sanctuary scholarships are for those from forced migrant backgrounds who face a barrier to accessing university because Home Office regulations surrounding their immigration status prevent them from accessing funding from Student Finance.  Sanctuary Scholarship only applies to those currently domiciled in the UK.

We will be offering for this coming year two Sanctuary Scholarships.

About the scholarships

Each Undergraduate scholarship:

  • Will provide shortlisted scholarship applicants who apply before the deadline with free English language testing if they need evidence of English for their chosen course.  Applicants who apply after the deadline will not be automatically eligible for free English language testing.
  • Is available for degree courses or International Foundation Certificate plus degree course combinations with a normal maximum duration of four years.
  • Covers the full cost of the tuition fees for a maximum of the normal duration of the undergraduate taught programme for which the applicant has been admitted, until such time as they are awarded a status that entitles them to access student finance.
  • Covers the full cost of an International Foundation Certificate (if required) for the normal duration of the course.
  • Provides £8,000 per year towards living cost expenses.
  • Provides a free place (single room in a shared, self –catering apartment) in one of our Halls of Residence for scholarship students who wish to stay in University accommodation. Family accommodation is not available.
  • Provides English language support (if required) in the form of a 12 or 6-week Pre-sessional Course with free accommodation and an allowance towards living costs, for scholarship students who do not require an International Foundation Certificate.
  • Includes a designated member of staff to provide support, guidance and opportunities throughout your studies.

The scholarship is not available for our Veterinary Science courses or Postgraduate Research study.

Each Postgraduate scholarship:

  • Will provide shortlisted scholarship applicants who apply before the deadline with free English language testing if they need evidence of English for their chosen course.  Applicants who apply after the deadline will not be automatically eligible for free English language testing.
  • Is available for taught postgraduate courses only.
  • Covers the full cost of the tuition fees for a maximum of the normal duration of the taught postgraduate programme for which the applicant has been admitted, until such time as they are awarded a status that entitles them to access student finance.
  • Provides £8,000 per year towards living cost expenses.
  • Provides a free place (single room in a shared, self –catering apartment) in one of our Halls of Residence for scholarship students who wish to stay in University accommodation. Family accommodation is not available.
  • Provides English language support (if required) in the form of a 12 or 6-week Pre-sessional Course, with free accommodation and an allowance towards living costs.
  • Includes a designated member of staff to provide support, guidance and opportunities throughout your studies.

The scholarship is not available for Postgraduate Research study.

Eligibility

The Aberystwyth Sanctuary Scholarship is open to those who do not have access to student finance and hold one of the following immigration status in the UK:

  • You are an asylum seeker; or
  • You have been granted discretionary or Humanitarian Protection leave to enter or remain (with forced migration background); or
  • You are the partner/dependent of an asylum seeker/discretionary/Humanitarian Protection leave to enter or remain (with forced migration background).

AND

  • You have received a conditional or unconditional offer from Aberystwyth University to study a full-time undergraduate degree or International Foundation Certificate or postgraduate taught masters course.
  • You can provide a reference in support of your application from an organisation such as a school, college, community or voluntary group.
  • You have submitted an application to Aberystwyth University’s Sanctuary Scholarship by the deadline.

 

Caveats and exclusions

  • The scholarship is for September entry only: the award cannot be deferred to a different intake.
  • The scholarship is for Year 1 entry of an undergraduate degree course at Aberystwyth University or International Foundation Certificate or to commence a postgraduate taught course.
  • The scholarship cannot be used for any externally funded courses that are more than 4 years in duration (e.g. Veterinary Sciences).
  • The scholarship can only be used for full-time study.

How to apply - applications for 2024-25 have now opened.

Before you apply, you must have received a conditional or unconditional offer from Aberystwyth University to study a full-time undergraduate degree or International Foundation Certificate or postgraduate taught masters course.

When completing the Sanctuary Scholarship application please read the guidance notes.  Please submit your Sanctuary Scholarship application via the online form.

With your application, you need to provide a copy of your Application Registration Card (ARC) OR alternatively you need to complete an Immigration History Consent FormPlease send the relevant evidence as an attachment to sanctuary@aber.ac.uk.

A reference from your referee needs to be provided.  They should be someone in the UK who knows you well. The referee could be from a refugee support group, volunteer organisation, caseworker, support adviser, or education or health professional.  Their reference should be on headed paper and the referee should have an official email rather than a yahoo/gmail or similar type of email address.  Please send this as an attachment to sanctuary@aber.ac.uk

The deadline to submit your application form, evidence and supporting documents is Monday 8th April 2024, by 2359 GMT.

Interviews will take place in May 2024 in person (or virtually if the applicants prefer).