Scholarships at Newman University, Birmingham

Since 2014, Newman University has been proud to be one of a growing number of universities to offer a Sanctuary Scholarship as part of the Helena Kennedy Foundation’s Article 26 Project, promoting access to higher education for people who have fled persecution and sought asylum in the UK.

From September 2021, Newman University will award two undergraduate scholarships per year to applicants from a forced migrant background who cannot access finance from Student Finance England because of their Home Office status. Successful applicants will be provided with:

• A Tuition Fee Waiver: The fee waiver will not usually extend to repeat years of study and is offered until such time as you are awarded status that entitles you to access statutory student support.
• Study and Travel Support: The Sanctuary Scholarship includes an annual bursary of £1200 per year to assist with study and travel expenses. The bursary is not means‐tested and is paid in two instalments (one per semester). The bursary will not usually be paid for repeat years of study.
• Personal Support: Support will be developed for each student to enable them to identify and overcome any potential barriers to achievement on their degree course.
• For applicants who do not live within a commutable distance of Newman University, consideration will be given to providing campus accommodation free of charge.

Students should only apply if they are able to support these costs themselves for the full duration of their university course.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must be:

• An asylum seeker / forced migrant or the partner/dependent of an asylum seeker / forced migrant; OR
• An asylum seeker/partner/dependent who has been granted Discretionary Leave to Remain (DLR) or some other form of temporary status

and

• Have a conditional or unconditional offer of a full-time undergraduate place to study at Newman University
• Currently attending a school, college, community or voluntary group which can provide a reference in support of your application
• Unable to access statutory student support because of your asylum or forced migrant status, or a dependent’s status.

Please note: Spouses/civil partners must have been the spouse/civil partner on the date 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.