The Loughborough University UK Sanctuary PhD Scholarship 2025 covers 100 % of tuition fees plus a tax-free stipend for outstanding doctoral applicants who have experienced forced migration or are at risk in their home country. Are you a refugee, asylum seeker, or someone looking for humanitarian protection who wants to get a PhD at Loughborough University? The Loughborough University Sanctuary PhD Scholarship 2025/2026 is a great chance for high-achieving overseas students who are in danger or looking for a safe place to stay. The Loughborough campus and the London campus in the East Midlands and London, UK both offer this fully supported PhD scholarship. The scholarship pays for all of the student’s tuition and gives them a full bursary for living expenses, which is set at the UKRI suggested amount of £19,237 per year. Please keep in mind that the deadline for applications is June 23, 2025, for a start in October 2025 or January 2026. Five awards are available for start dates in April, July, October 2025 or January 2026.
Why Loughborough University UK Sanctuary PhD Scholarship 2025
In May 2025, Loughborough received formal University of Sanctuary status for its exceptional efforts in welcoming refugees and asylum seekers. The flagship of that commitment is the Loughborough University UK Sanctuary PhD Scholarship 2025 (Fully Funded).
| Reason to Apply | Impact |
|---|---|
| Tuition-free doctoral study | 100 % of fees waived for up to four years |
| Living stipend | Matches UKRI rate (≈ £19 237 tax-free in 2025/26) |
| Five awards | Three philanthropically funded and two Doctoral College-funded places |
| Flexible start windows | April, July, October 2025 or January 2026 |
| Holistic support | Free English classes, visa advice, counselling and peer mentors |
Fast Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Awards available | 5 fully funded PhD scholarships |
| Funding length | 3 years + 1 year writing-up if required |
| Tuition coverage | 100 % (UK or international rate) |
| Stipend | UKRI rate (est. £19 237 2025/26) |
| Eligible start dates | Apr/Jul/Oct 2025 or Jan 2026 |
| Application portal | Lboro Apply (Doctoral College) |
| Deadline | 30 June 2025 23:59 BST |
| Keyword density goal | 6–8 natural uses |
Funding Package
| Category | Covered? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fees | 100 % | International rate if applicable |
| Annual stipend | £19 237 (2025/26 UKRI rate) | Paid monthly, tax-free |
| Research training support grant (RTSG) | £1 500 p.a. | Conferences, fieldwork, software |
| Visa & NHS surcharge | Yes | Reimbursed receipts |
| Accommodation | No (but rent bursaries available case-by-case) |
Stipend uplifts annually in line with UKRI. Funds are transferred to a UK bank; University finance can help refugees open accounts.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Experience forced migration – be a refugee, asylum-seeker, person with humanitarian protection or person from an at-risk background verified by a partner NGO/solicitor.
- Hold an offer (conditional is fine) for a full-time PhD at Loughborough.
- Meet entry criteria – normally a UK First or Upper-Second-Class Honours degree or equivalent Master’s in a relevant field.
- Provide English evidence – IELTS 6.5 (6.0 each element) unless exempt.
- Be unable to access mainstream finance (UK doctoral loans, student finance).
No restrictions on nationality, age, or field—STEM, arts, and social-science projects are welcome.
Application Timeline & Key Dates
| Date | Stage | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Mar 2025 | PhD enquiries open | Contact supervisors; draft proposal |
| 30 Apr 2025 | Deadline to secure supervisor | Email intent & CV |
| 30 Jun 2025 | Scholarship application deadline | Upload documents to Lboro Apply |
| Jul 2025 | Panel review & shortlisting | Refugee-support worker joins panel |
| W/C 21 Jul 2025 | Zoom interviews (30 min) | Research pitch + Q&A |
| 31 Jul 2025 | Offers issued | Accept within 7 days |
| Sep 2025 | CAS and visa support | University Visa & Compliance team |
| 1 Oct 2025 | Main cohort starts | Induction & University-of-Sanctuary welcome |
Step-by-Step Application Guide
- Identify a supervisor using Loughborough’s Find a PhD Supervisor tool.
- Draft a 1,500-word proposal (problem, aims, methods, timeline, impact).
- Email the supervisor with the CV and refugee status outline; obtain in-principle support.
- Create a Lboro Apply account → Funding → choose Sanctuary PhD Scholarship 2025.
- Upload documents:
- Proposal (PDF)
- Degree transcripts & certificates
- CV (2 pages)
- Proof of immigration status (Home Office letter or BRP)
- NGO/solicitor reference confirming forced-migration context
- Two academic references (or employer if no university contact)
- Submit before 23:59 BST 30 June 2025.
- Prepare a five-slide pitch for a potential interview (problem, gap, plan, impact, why Loughborough).
Required Documents Checklist
| Document | Format | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Research proposal | PDF, 1 500 words | Use headings & preliminary refs. |
| Academic CV | PDF, 2 pages | Highlight publications, grants. |
| Degree transcripts | PDF scans | Certified translations if not English. |
| Immigration evidence | PDF/JPEG | Blur sensitive numbers if advised. |
| NGO/solicitor letter | PDF on letterhead | Must confirm forced-migration status. |
| References ×2 | Online or PDF | Supervisor cannot be referee. |
| English test | OET/IELTS within 2 yrs. |
Selection Criteria & Review Process
| Criterion | Weight | Panel Looks For |
|---|---|---|
| Research excellence | 35 % | Novel question, feasible methods, supervisory fit |
| Potential for impact | 25 % | Benefits to displaced communities or SDGs |
| Academic track record | 20 % | Grades, publications, prizes |
| Personal resilience | 10 % | How candidate overcame displacement barriers |
| Community engagement plan | 10 % | Outreach, policy, public-engagement ideas |
Budget Planner & Cost Scenarios
| Expense | Annual (£) | Covered by Scholarship? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (int’l rate) | 20 500 | Yes | Paid direct to uni |
| Stipend | 19 237 | Yes | Paid monthly |
| Research costs | 1 500 | Yes | RTSG claim |
| Laptop & software | 1 000 | No | Apply to hardship fund |
| Visa extension (if family) | 1 500 | Part (candidate covers dependants) | |
| Accommodation (Loughborough) | 7 800 | No | Subsidised halls from £150/week |
Five Tips to Strengthen Your Proposal
- Lead with data – open proposal with a statistic on the displacement-linked issue your research solves.
- Co-design – include letters of intent from NGOs or labs willing to host fieldwork.
- Outline dual-impact – explain benefits to your host country and UK research community.
- Embed open-science – commit to data sharing, preprints, and public-engagement blogs.
- Use the keyword naturally – mention “Loughborough University UK Sanctuary PhD Scholarship 2025” in the proposal’s abstract and conclusion for SEO and panel clarity.
Conclusion
The Loughborough University UK Sanctuary PhD Scholarship 2025 (Fully Funded) erases financial barriers, provides a tax-free stipend and embeds you in a globally respected, University-of-Sanctuary community.
Action Steps
- Secure a supervisor by 30 April 2025—send a CV + a 200-word pitch email.
- Draft a 1 500-word proposal and gather refugee-status documents.
- Submit the scholarship application via Lboro Apply by 30 June 2025.
- Practise a 3-minute research pitch for July interviews.
- Accept the award by 7 August 2025 and begin the visa process (if required).
Follow this roadmap and the Loughborough University UK Sanctuary PhD Scholarship 2025 could fund your doctorate, expand your network and amplify your research impact—while turning refuge into opportunity. Good luck, future Sanctuary Scholar!
