Teesside Sanctuary Award

About this award

You may be eligible to have your course fees paid and receive a contribution to other study costs if you are currently seeking asylum or if you are dependent on someone seeking asylum in the UK.

The award covers your course fees and a learning bursary of up to £600 a year to support with other study costs including travel, IT equipment and books. The learning bursary is paid in two instalments in each academic year. The first is paid once you have enrolled on your course, and the second at the start of semester two. There are three undergraduate awards and two postgraduate (not doctoral) awards available.

Eligibility

To apply for one of these awards your current immigration status in the UK must fall into one of the below:

• you are currently seeking asylum in the UK, or are a dependant, spouse or civil partner* of someone seeking asylum in the UK
• you hold Limited Leave to Remain, or other form of temporary immigration status granted as a result of seeking asylum in the UK, or you are the dependant, spouse or civil partner* of someone who falls into this category.

* Your spouse or civil partner must have been your spouse or civil partner on the date that your asylum application was made. Dependent children or step-children must have been aged 18 or under on the date that your asylum application was made.

You must be able to provide up-to-date documentary evidence of your current immigration status in the UK, for example, BRP card, ARC card, BAIL 201 letter, or other forms of immigration documents confirming your temporary immigration status and showing that you have no restriction on your right to study in the UK.

You must also:

• have been offered a place (conditional or unconditional) on a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate course at Teesside University before applying for the award and before the scholarship application deadline date
• meet any required English language conditions as part of your course offer (you will be advised if you are required to take an English language test as a condition of your offer)
• be unable to access UK government student finance (tuition fee loans or maintenance loans/grants) by virtue of your immigration status
• have immigration history that does not show that you have reached ‘appeal rights exhausted’ following an unsuccessful asylum claim (you will need to provide your written consent for us to contact UKVI to obtain a full immigration history)
• live within easy commuting distance of Teesside University
• not require support for living expenses or accommodation.

If you receive a positive decision on your asylum application and you (or your spouse or civil partner) are granted Refugee Status, Humanitarian Protection, or another form of leave to remain that allows access to student finance, you must inform the University as soon as possible so that your circumstances and continuing eligibility for the sanctuary award can be re-assessed.

You would be expected to apply to Student Finance England, for tuition fee loans or maintenance loans/grants from the start of the academic year immediately after the date you (or your spouse or civil partner) are granted Refugee Status or Humanitarian Protection, or another form of leave to remain that allows access to student finance.

The above criteria is subject to change at any time, in line with any relevant Home Office changes.

How to apply

Awards are made at the discretion of the Scholarships Panel, who may consider your financial background, prior academic performance, as well as other information provided through your application and at any subsequent interview.

The closing date for applications is 16 May 2025.

Apply now

About the donor

Teesside University is committed to the economic, social and cultural success of our students and local communities. The University embraces diversity and opposes prejudice and injustice.