List of Universities of Sanctuary

The following institutions have been recognised as Universities of Sanctuary due to their commitment to creating a culture of welcome for people seeking sanctuary within, and beyond, their campuses.

To find out more, or if your institution would like to apply for a Sanctuary Award, e-mail [email protected]

Year Awarded
University of Sheffield*
University of Edinburgh 2017
University of Warwick 2017
University of Hull 2018
University of Winchester 2018
University of Bradford 2018
York St John University 2018
Cardiff Metropolitan University 2018
University of East Anglia 2018
University of Leicester 2018
University of Exeter 2019
University of St Andrews 2019
University of Manchester 2019
University of Bristol 2019
University of South Wales 2020


* the University of Sheffield declared itself a University of Sanctuary as part of the emergence of the movement in Sheffield. The University of Sanctuary stream has since been fully established and there is now set criteria and we ask Universities to submit an application for assessment by a panel (see the Awards section above or the handbook available in the Resources section).

Disclaimer:  Universities of Sanctuary are awarded by the City of Sanctuary UK organisation, the local CoS group and partners in good faith and we cannot be held responsible for places of sanctuary who have been awarded but no longer subscribe to our values and principles.