The Compass Project Sanctuary Scholarship

The Compass Project is a fund that provides up to 20 asylum seekers, who are not eligible for student finance, with a sanctuary scholarship to study a university-level programme at Birkbeck, University of London.

If you have refugee status you are not eligible for the Sanctuary Scholarship as you are eligible for Student Finance. If you have Humanitarian Protection you may be entitled to financial support. Please check this online via the UKISA website before applying.

Successful applicants will receive:

• a full tuition fee waiver for relevant courses up to 120 credits (typically equivalent to one year of study)
• additional financial support to cover costs such as transport, childcare and books.

The Compass Project offers opportunities to those who would not otherwise be able to access university level education elsewhere. As a result, we prioritize applicants who meet the following criteria:

• those who have not previously studied a degree at a UK institution
• those who have not been in formal education for more than five years.

If you are interested in applying for a sanctuary scholarship, or helping someone who is, you can view our interactive workbook on how to apply. 

Update as of 1 April 2020:

As we are unable to host face-to-face events at the moment, we are instead inviting candidates to take part in a telephone clinic with a Compass Adviser. Please email the Compass Project to book in your phone call. 

We strongly advise you to do this, as engagement with Birkbeck is part of the criteria on the application form.