Darya was devastated when she discovered that she couldn't get a student loan. Even before she arrived in the UK, aged 16, from Afghanistan, she'd longed to get the qualifications and skills needed to make healthcare accessible to every community. But there was no way she and her family, who were going through the asylum process at the time, could fund a degree. Thanks to the Westheimer Scholarship, she was able to take up her offer to study Pharmacy at university.
“The Westheimer Scholarship is a golden opportunity for me. I feel blessed to be awarded this amazing scholarship. Before finding out about Westheimer award, I struggled a lot to carry on my education... I cannot describe my feelings in words on how pleased I am with this scholarship. It has given me what I had dreamt about. I am only 3 years away on fulfilling my dream. Nothing was possible if I wasn't a Westheimer scholar and this is all because of the kind trustees. To me and my family this scholarship is a miracle.”
Without access to student loans, many young asylum seekers rely on scholarships to make their university dream a reality. REUK works with the Schwab-Westheimer Trust to facilitate a number of these scholarships.
Scholarships for asylum seekers
This scholarship, for those up to the age of 28, is for both tuition fees and living costs (depending on individual circumstances). Applications open in the spring for admission in the autumn. You must have a firm offer to apply.
The Westheimer Scholarship is for young asylum seekers' higher education in health and social care, medicine, nursing or related professions
The Trust was established by former refugees who benefited from welcome and support in the UK when fleeing Nazi Germany. Today it is committed to providing educational support to young refugees and asylum seekers through scholarships and grants.
REUK partners with the Schwab & Westheimer Trust to promote and deliver their scholarships for asylum seekers
The Schwab & Westheimer Trust has worked with other generous donors to create new and different scholarship opportunities
This year, the scholarships offered will include:
- The Westheimer Scholarship (for an undergraduate degree in social work, medicine, nursing, or related health or social care professions)
- The Claus and Mary Moser Scholarship (for an undergraduate degree or equivalent professional qualification in engineering or accounting)
- The Ralph N Emanuel Scholarship (for an undergraduate degree with a clear humanitarian purpose)
- The Scholarships supported by the Marks Family Charitable Trust (for postgraduate degree programmes)
The scholarships are open for 2024 and will close on 10th may. You can use the Displaced Student Opportunities Portal and STAR's website to find out what other opportunities are available for 2024 and 2025.
If these scholarships aren't right for you, get in touch to find out about other options.
Other smaller grants are available if you need financial support to pursue your studies
Demand oustrips supply. Could you fund a scholarship for an asylum seeker?
Other scholarships are available through particular universities – click here to find out more. And contact our advice service if you'd like to discuss your particular situation and options.
The Schwab & Westheimer Trust makes smaller grants towards educational expenses. And there are other places you can apply to for support. Find out more here.
The Schwab & Westheimer Trust welcomes partnerships with donors who want to establish new funding opportunities for asylum-seeking students. Contact us to find out more.
Please read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document before beginning the online application form.
Please also read our online application form Guidance Notes before beginning an application.
Please note that there is no advantage for students who submit their applications first, so please take your time and fill in applications carefully. Applications must be made using the online form - however, should you wish to prepare your answers, you can do so using this Word version of the form.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate how their chosen degree will make a valuable contribution to society. Only exceptional candidates with proven academic excellence will be considered.
The scholarship will cover ‘home’ tuition fees (up to £9,500 per year). Applicants will need to demonstrate that they can cover their living costs whilst at university. The scholarship will be awarded to students who have an asylum seeking background and people who are not eligible for student finance will be prioritised.
The Scholarship Supported By The Marks Family Charitable Trust
Applications for September 2022 are now open.
The scholarship supported by the Marks Family Charitable Trust is open to students embarking on a postgraduate degree programme (Masters or Doctorate).
Please read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document before beginning the online application form.
Please also read our online application form Guidance Notes before beginning an application.
Please note that there is no advantage for students who submit their applications first, so please take your time and fill in applications carefully. Applications must be made using the online form - however, should you wish to prepare your answers, you can do so using this Word version of the form.
Applications for September 2022 are now open.
This scholarship helps young asylum seekers (aged up to 28 years old) pursue higher education in health and social care, social work, medicine, dentistry, nursing or other healthcare related professions. Up to three people a year will be supported with a Westheimer Scholarship to study for a first degree or professional qualification. The scholarship will pay home tuition fees* (see note below), and associated study costs. The specific amount awarded will be dependent on the candidate’s individual circumstances and university location.
The Westheimer Scholarship is an initiative of the Schwab Westheimer Trust which was established by former refugees who benefited from welcome and support in the UK when fleeing Nazi Germany.
*The trust will help candidates who are successful at interview to request home fees from their chosen university. The final award of a Westheimer Scholarship will be dependent on successfully getting a 'home' tuition fee offer.
The Westheimer Scholarship
Please read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document before beginning the online application form.
Please also read our online application form Guidance Notes before beginning an application.
Please note that there is no advantage for students who submit their applications first, so please take your time and fill in applications carefully. Applications must be made using the online form - however, should you wish to prepare your answers, you can do so using this Word version of the form.
The scholarship will pay home tuition fees* and associated study costs. The specific amount awarded will be dependent upon the candidate’s individual circumstances and university location.
Please make sure you meet the following criteria before applying:
1. Be an asylum seeker (or the dependent of an asylum seeker) who is awaiting a decision or appealing a decision for asylum from the UK Home Office; OR a person (or dependent of a person) who claimed asylum in the UK and has been granted Limited Leave to Remain or some other form of temporary status such as Calais Leave, Discretionary Leave to Remain, Section 67 leave, UASC leave.
2. A student wishing to pursue an undergraduate degree with a clear humanitarian purpose. The applicant will be expected to demonstrate this in their application.
Ralph N Emanuel Scholarship
Applications for September 2022 are now open.
*The trust will assist successful candidates to negotiate home fees from their chosenuniversity. The final award of a RNE Scholarship will be dependent upon receiving a 'home' tuition fee offer.
Up to three people a year will be supported by a Ralph N Emanuel Scholarship to study for a first degree or equivalent professional qualification.
Please read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document and Guidance Notes before beginning the online application form.
Please also note that there is no advantage for students who submit their applications first, so please take your time and fill in applications carefully. Applications must be made using the online form - however, should you wish to prepare your answers, you can do so using this Word version of the form.
Applications will open on 27th May 2022, and close at midnight on 26th June 2022. Interviews for successful candidates will be held in July 2022.
The Jane Goodman Charitable Trust Scholarship will support one individual to study for a first degree in Dentistry. The scholarship will pay home tuition fees*, and associated study costs. The specific amount awarded will be dependent on the candidate’s individual circumstances and university location.
This scholarship is suitable for you if:
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You are 28 years old or younger and;
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You are an asylum seeker (or the dependent of an asylum seeker) who is awaiting a decision or appealing a decision for asylum from the UK Home Office; OR a person (or dependent of a person) who claimed asylum in the UK and has been granted Limited Leave to Remain or some other form of temporary status such as Calais Leave, Discretionary Leave to Remain, Section 67 leave, UASC leave, and;
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You are are wishing to pursue an undergraduate degree in Dentistry.
Dr Jane Goodman, who trained at Guy’s Hospital, was an eminent paediatric dentist. She became one of the youngest ever paediatric dental consultants and held many roles in the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry, becoming President in 1995. She has impacted the lives of countless children around the world. The Jane Goodman Charitable Trust is keen to support a student whose career can have a similar impact.
*The trust will help candidates who are successful at interview to request home fees from their chosen university. The final award of a Westheimer Scholarship will be dependent on successfully getting a 'home' tuition fee offer.