Achieve your full potential
If you're seeking asylum or have refugee status, you may find it more difficult to go to university — but we're here to help.
We're committed to providing equal opportunities to higher education for people seeking sanctuary. This page highlights the support we can give you to help you achieve your ambitions and meet your full potential.
Financial support
For course fees and living costs
The Sanctuary Scholarship is for students seeking asylum.
It covers all of your tuition fees for each year of your undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree, plus personal and financial support.
This scholarship It isn't based on your income and you don't need to pay it back. There's one Sanctuary Scholarship available each year.
To improve your English skills
If you need to improve your English skills before starting your undergraduate degree with us, you could get a free place on a pre-sessional English course.
Our pre-sessional English language courses are available on campus or through distance learning.
Support while you're here
A designated adviser
A designated member of staff will advise and guide you on your support needs during your time at university.
When you start your course, they'll make sure you have all the information you need to access the student support services including help with academic, disability and wellbeing needs.
Your designated adviser can also:
- do a 'health check' on your finances
- help you create a budget and plan your spending
- give advice on how to access hardship funds and other sources of funding
- help with Home Office issues
- provide wellbeing support, including referral to counselling
- signpost you to other student support services, including support with applying for Student Finance if you become eligible for further support during your studies
Contact us
To find out how to get support if you're seeking sanctuary, contact us by email at sanctuary@port.ac.uk or by phone on +44 (0) 2392 843072.