King’s College London Sanctuary Scholarship 2026-27
Host Institution: King’s College London
Funding Type: Bursary and Tuition Fee
Academic Year: 2026/27
Study Requirement: In-person, one-year programme starting in September 2026
Application Opens: Monday 2 February 2026, 10am UK time
Application Deadline: Tuesday 5 May 2026, 10am UK time
The King’s College London Sanctuary Scholarship 2026-27 provides financial and academic support for students at King’s with a background of forced displacement. The scholarship is open to asylum seekers, individuals with limited leave to remain in the UK due to an asylum claim, and those at immediate risk from, or displaced by, existing or recent conflicts in the UK or abroad.
Program Overview
The scholarship will support up to 12 students based in the UK or abroad. One scholarship is reserved in memory of Dr Maisara Alrayyes. In addition, one scholarship will be awarded by Bseisu Foundation and is reserved for a citizen of Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, or Syria who has successfully applied to a one-year Master’s in a STEM subject.
Applicants must have applied to an in-person, one-year programme at King’s that starts in September 2026. The page also states that more information about other eligibility criteria is available in the FAQ document.
What the Scholarship Includes
✓ Academic fee waiver
✓ Cost of living stipend of up to £20,000
✓ Additional support for successful applicants based on needs assessment
The page also notes that individual allocations will be confirmed in writing to each successful student upon allocation of the award. It further states that, for applicants receiving Home Office Asylum support or legal aid, the scholarship stipend may affect support, and applicants are advised to contact their legal advisor before applying.
Eligibility
• Applicants must be asylum seekers, individuals with limited leave to remain in the UK due to an asylum claim, or those at immediate risk from, or displaced by, existing or recent conflicts in the UK or abroad
• Applicants must have applied to an in-person, one-year programme at King’s that starts in September 2026
Application Process
There are two stages to the application. First, applicants must complete the scholarship application form. Second, they must send supporting documents by email.
The page also includes an April 2026 update for applicants who want to request an application fee waiver. It states that applicants must complete the application fee waiver form by Thursday 30 April. It also makes clear that applicants should not email the Admissions team directly for this purpose.
The source further explains that submitting a Sanctuary Scholarship application does not guarantee that an application fee waiver will be granted. All fee waiver requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions team and decisions are made at their discretion.
Award Conditions
• Successful applicants must accept their scholarship offer within 10 days
• Scholarships are conditional upon maintaining eligibility requirements, including visa status and admission to the selected programme
• Data provided during the application process may be shared with relevant departments for assessment and support purposes
Selection Process
Applications will be assessed based on eligibility, completeness, and the quality of responses to the personal statement application questions. Decisions will be communicated by email on Monday 6 July 2026.
Key Dates
• Application opens: Monday 2 February 2026, 10am UK time
• Application closes: Tuesday 5 May 2026, 10am UK time
• Decisions communicated: Monday 6 July 2026
