Launched in 2022, the Humanitarian Scholarships are enabling people, who have refugee status outside the UK, the opportunity to continue their academic careers at postgraduate level.
The scholarships are open to students across the world who have Refugee or Asylum Status or Humanitarian Protection as recognised by the 1951 UN Convention on the Status of Refugees.
Through the scholarships, the University has supported two students with refugee status outside the UK who have graduated: one with an MSc in Finance and Investment Management (from Venezuela), and the other an MSc in Telecommunications and Wireless Systems (from Afghanistan).
Already, the scholarships have had a significant impact. One recipient said:
“[This scholarship] has been a transformative force in my life. The field of telecommunication engineering plays a crucial role in connecting people, communities, and regions, especially in humanitarian contexts where reliable communication networks are essential for disaster response, healthcare access, and social development. I can [now] actively contribute my expertise to address critical challenges and bridge the divide in underserved areas.”
The Humanitarian Scholarship forms part of the University’s response to ongoing humanitarian crises. The University offers a number of scholarships for people who have fled persecution and arrived in the UK through its Asylum Seekers’ bursary. The University is also a part of CARA (Council for At-Risk Academics), which provides urgent help to academics in danger, those forced into exile, and those who choose to continue working in their home countries despite the risks.
For refugees, access to higher education, let alone postgraduate education, can be particularly challenging or impossible. By supporting the Humanitarian Scholarships, you will help to ensure individuals with academic potential have the opportunity to study and further themselves personally, academically, and professionally.
The scholarships will:
- Enable access to education through a taught master’s course for one year with tuition fees waived
- Provide a bursary to cover accommodation and living costs
- Provide language support and visa applications.