University of Sussex Sanctuary Scholarship 2026: Full Tuition + £16,440/Year for Forced Migrants in the UK

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For forced migrants living in the UK who have dreamed of going to university but assumed the cost made it impossible, this scholarship exists specifically for you.

The University of Sussex Sanctuary Scholarship is one of the most comprehensive financial support packages available to asylum seekers, refugees with temporary leave, and their dependents in the UK. It covers your full overseas tuition fee — which can run into tens of thousands of pounds per year — plus £16,440 annually toward your living costs, guaranteed university housing, and a free sports membership.

This post explains exactly who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what to expect from the process realistically.

What Is the University of Sussex Sanctuary Scholarship?

The University of Sussex is a leading UK research university located in Brighton, East Sussex — one of England’s most culturally diverse and welcoming cities. In recognition of its work supporting displaced people, the university has been awarded the title of University of Sanctuary, a national designation given to higher education institutions that demonstrate a genuine commitment to welcoming forced migrants.

The Sanctuary Scholarship is a direct expression of that commitment. It exists because forced migrants and asylum seekers in the UK face a specific and cruel financial catch: they are often classified as overseas students for tuition purposes — meaning they face the highest tuition fees — while simultaneously being ineligible for Student Finance England loans because of their immigration status. The result is that many talented, eligible people simply cannot afford to attend university despite having an offer.

This scholarship closes that gap entirely.

What the Scholarship Covers

This is one of the most complete undergraduate scholarship packages available in the UK for this specific group:

The £16,440 annual living allowance is significant. It is designed to cover accommodation, food, transport, and day-to-day living costs while you study. Combined with free housing continuation and the full tuition waiver, this scholarship removes virtually every major financial barrier to completing a degree at Sussex.

Over four years, that is potentially £65,760 in living cost support plus full tuition — making this one of the most generous scholarship packages of its kind in the UK.

Who Is Eligible

The eligibility criteria for this scholarship are specific. Read every point carefully before applying.

You must have received an offer of a place on an undergraduate degree at the University of Sussex starting in September 2026. Foundation year, Year 1, and Year 2 applicants can all apply — but students progressing into their final year are not eligible.

You must also meet at least one of the following immigration status conditions:

• You have submitted — or are the dependent of someone who has submitted — an application to the UK Home Office for recognition as a refugee, or
• You have been granted a temporary form of leave to remain in the UK as a result of an asylum application (such as limited leave to remain or humanitarian protection) and are not eligible for Student Finance England, or
• You are a partner or child of an asylum seeker, or an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child

And you must meet both of the following additional conditions:

• Your household income must be under £35,000
• You must be unable to access UK government student financial support due to your current immigration status

Who Is Not Eligible

You are not eligible if any of the following apply:

• You are not currently residing in the UK
• You have applied for or received refugee status or temporary leave in a country other than the UK — this scholarship is specifically for people going through the UK asylum system
• You are applying to a university other than the University of Sussex
• You are progressing into the final year of a degree already underway at Sussex
• You are studying an online course
• You are enrolled in any of the excluded courses listed below

Excluded courses you cannot apply to if studying:

• Certificates and Diplomas (including PGCE)
• Courses at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS)
• Social Work degrees (if receiving an NHS bursary)
• Online courses
• School Direct teaching courses
• Courses offered at partner institutes, such as the International Study Centre (ISC)

How Many Scholarships Are Available?

Only three scholarships are available in total across both undergraduate and Master’s studies combined. This is a small number; competition will be real, and every part of your application needs to be strong.

How to Apply

Step 1: Apply to the University of Sussex and receive an offer of a place on an eligible undergraduate degree starting in September 2026.

Step 2: Accept your offer of a place on the eligible course.

Step 3: Apply for the Sanctuary Scholarship through the University of Sussex’s scholarship application process. You must have accepted your offer before you can be considered.

Step 4: Provide evidence of your immigration status as part of your application. This is a firm requirement — the university needs documentation to confirm your eligibility under the forced migrant criteria.

Deadline: 1 June 2026 at 23:59

Do not miss this deadline. With only three scholarships available across undergraduate and postgraduate study, late applications will not be considered.

Honest Assessment: What You Should Know

This scholarship is genuinely life-changing for the right person. For a forced migrant in the UK who has received a Sussex offer but cannot access student finance, this award removes every major financial barrier. Full tuition plus £16,440 per year plus guaranteed housing is a complete package — not a partial gesture.

The competition is intense. Three scholarships across both undergraduate and postgraduate applicants means the pool is extremely tight. Your application needs to be complete, well-evidenced, and submitted well before the deadline.

Documentation is everything. Your eligibility hinges on your immigration status. Make sure your supporting documents — Home Office correspondence, leave to remain documentation, household income evidence — are ready and organised before you start the application. Missing or unclear documents are likely to end an otherwise strong application.

Sussex is a strong university for this. Beyond the scholarship, the University of Sussex has invested genuinely in supporting sanctuary students — not just financially but through dedicated support services, community networks, and a campus culture that the university has publicly committed to making inclusive. The Sanctuary title is not decorative.

Brighton is a good city to be in. It is one of the most diverse, progressive, and welcoming cities in England, which matters when you are navigating a new country while managing an asylum process.

About the University of Sussex

The University of Sussex is a Russell Group-affiliated research university founded in 1961. It is consistently ranked among the UK’s top 25 universities and has particular strengths in international development, psychology, law, business, and the sciences. Its campus is located on the edge of the South Downs National Park, between Brighton and the village of Falmer — accessible by train in under ten minutes from central Brighton.

Sussex has a long history of social and political engagement. It was among the first UK universities to publicly commit to welcoming forced migrants, and the Sanctuary Scholarship is one of the most tangible expressions of that commitment.

FAQ

Do I need to be a refugee to apply? Not necessarily. You can apply if you have submitted an asylum application, have been granted temporary leave to remain, or are a dependent of someone in either situation. Full refugee status is not required, but you must be going through the UK asylum process specifically.

Can I apply if I received refugee status in another country before coming to the UK? No. The scholarship is specifically for people who have applied for or received asylum status through the UK Home Office. Applications made in other countries do not qualify.

Is this scholarship available for postgraduate study too? Yes, the three available scholarships are split across undergraduate and Master’s applicants. This post covers the undergraduate version specifically.

What is the annual living allowance? £16,440 per year for up to four years of undergraduate study.

Does the scholarship cover my tuition in full? Yes. It provides a full overseas tuition fee waiver, which is the highest tuition fee category at UK universities.

What is the household income limit? Your household income must be under £35,000.

When is the deadline? 1 June 2026 at 23:59. No late applications will be accepted.

What documents will I need? Evidence of your immigration status, such as Home Office correspondence, your leave to remain documentation, and household income evidence. Prepare these in advance.

What happens if I am in my final year? Can I still apply? No. Students progressing into the final year of their degree at Sussex are not eligible.

Where can I find more information? Visit the official scholarship page at sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/undergraduate-scholarships, search for the Sanctuary Scholarship 2026.

For more information and application: 

Visit the official website of the University of Sussex Sanctuary Scholarship 2026