University of East London Article 26 Postgraduate Scholarship for people seeking Asylum in the UK – 2026/27 Entry

Background

The University of East London recognises that people seeking asylum in the UK are likely to be some of the most vulnerable in our society. The University is working with the Helena Kennedy Foundation to support such people to access higher education. Successful applicants will be awarded 100% tuition fee support until they are awarded such immigration status that enables them to access support from Student Finance England. The scholarship is non-repayable.

Eligibility criteria

Please ensure that you meet all of the following eligibility criteria before making an application. You must be:

• An asylum seeker or the partner/dependant of an asylum seeker
• An asylum seeker/partner/dependant who has been granted Discretionary Leave to Remain (DLR) or some other form of temporary status as a result of an asylum claim
• Hold a conditional or unconditional offer for a taught postgraduate course at UEL for 2026/27 entry
• Unable to access mainstream student funding
• Not require additional support for living costs
• Provide documentation from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to confirm your immigration status and give UEL consent to check this with our Premium Account Manager at UKVI.

If you do not meet the above criteria, please do not apply as your application will not be considered. 

Application process 

1. An application form is available on our website and eligible students will be invited to apply. The scholarship is merit-based and it is therefore important to consider the guidance provided below as the selection panel will base their assessment on: 

a. Your personal and family circumstances and the barriers that you have faced in continuing your education in the UK in view of your immigration status in the UK 

b. Your future career plans – why you have chosen this course and how the scholarship will help you to achieve your ambitions

c. Your financial circumstances and how you will meet your living costs

d. Include additional support that you may require from the University. 
 

2. The University will notify successful students of the provisional outcome within six weeks of the advertised deadline. Scholarships will only be confirmed once an unconditional offer is confirmed by our Admissions team. All communication will be sent by email. 

3. Applications will be assessed on a first come basis until all the funds have been exhausted. No applications will be considered after this. The decision of the panel is final.

Applicants must disclose any personal connection to the University. Please let us know if you know anyone who works at the university or if you have a family member employed here. It’s important that this information is declared as part of your application.

Fee-waiver details

4. Successful students will have a 100% fee waiver credited to their tuition fees account. 

5. The fee waiver is only available for the normal duration of the course, it will not be renewed or extended beyond this term to cover resit/repeat modules.

General terms and conditions

6. Award holders must keep the University’s International Compliance up to date with their visa status and comply with requests for updates by this team. 

7. If an awarded student decides to change programmes, the student will be entitled to keep the scholarship provided that the new course and mode of study meet the eligibility criteria. All changes must be approved by the Director of Student Recruitment and Marketing.

8. If an awarded student decides to withdraw, the scholarship will terminate at the date of withdrawal. UEL reserves the right to revoke the scholarship and claim back any fee waiver incorrectly made to the student. 

9. The scholarship cannot be exchanged for an alternative award. 

10. The scholarship should be used in the year advertised. If a student defers their start date, the scholarship may be deferred for by a maximum of one year at the discretion of UEL. If the student defers their start date for more than one year, they will no longer be eligible for the scholarship. 

11. Once a period of study has commenced, should a scholarship holder suspend their studies through the appropriate channels, their scholarship will similarly be suspended and will recommence on the resumption of studies. This can be held for a maximum of one year, starting from the date of their suspension. 

12. If the student’s status changes during their study, as a result of information not being provided at the point of application, and the student becomes ineligible, the University reserves the right to revoke the scholarship and claim back any fee waiver incorrectly made to the student. 

13. The Article 26 Postgraduate Scholarship may not be held in conjunction with any other scholarships. 

14. If a student breaches the University regulations and withdraws from study, the scholarship will be terminated immediately, and no further support will be available. If the student returns to study at a later date, the scholarship will not be re-awarded. The University reserves the right to revoke the scholarship and claim back any fee waiver incorrectly made to the student. 

15. The University reserves the right to verify applications and request additional evidence. 

16. A complaint is normally a specific concern related to a procedural error, irregularity, or maladministration in admissions procedures or policies. If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of the administration of your scholarship, please contact us in the first instance so that an informal resolution can be sought. This may be done in writing by emailing studentfunding@uel.ac.uk.