Sanctuary PhD Studentships

About the project

The University of Reading is pleased to offer a PhD studentship for sanctuary seekers to recognise the educational disruption suffered by displaced people, and to support those affected in accessing postgraduate research studies.

What is on offer?

Funding is available, which covers:

Studentships can be held on a full-time or part-time basis. Funding is for four years full-time or six years part-time. This scheme is not open to applicants for the By-Distance mode of study.

• PhD fees at the Home fees rate;
• a stipend (or living allowance) which usually aligns with the minimum UKRI rate (in 2026/27, this is £21,805 per annum);
• a Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) allowance of £1,000 per annum (for research and training costs such as conference attendance).

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply, you must:

You must also:

Please note that not every immigration status listed above (e.g. discretionary or limited leave to remain) automatically qualifies an applicant for Home Fees status.

Applicants unsure of their fee status will need to contact Postgraduate Admissions for more information.

• have been granted Refugee or Humanitarian Protection status, or
• have been granted a form of leave (leave to remain, limited leave to remain, discretionary leave to remain, humanitarian protection) as the result of an asylum application or human rights application, or
• have been granted settlement in the UK through the ARAP or ACRS schemes for Afghan refugees or
• have entered the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme or the Ukraine Sponsorship (Home for Ukraine) scheme and have been resident in the UK since your leave was granted.
• qualify for Home Fees status at the point of application
• have applied to study full or part-time on campus for a PhD programme at the University of Reading to commence in September 2027
• currently reside in the UK
• not be in receipt of any other studentship funding
• not be a current PhD student enrolled on a PhD programme at the University of Reading.

How to apply

This scheme is currently closed for applications for entry in October 2026.

• Apply for a place on a PhD programme at the University of Reading via the online RISIS portal by 26 February 2027 . You must upload confirmation that you hold an eligible immigration status as part of your application via RISIS. For information on how to apply for a place on the programme, please visit our website .
• Complete the short online Sanctuary PhD Studentship application form .

The Selection Process

Eligible applicants are chosen for awards by random selection.

Successful applicants will be notified by email after the application deadline.

Further queries

Queries, except those relating to immigration and fee status, can be directed to the Doctoral Studentships Support Officer, Dr Lucy Fletcher .

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive student community. It supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBTQIA+ rights equality.

The University of Reading Equal Opportunities policy applies:

The University of Reading is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and non-discriminatory treatment for all members of its community regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race (to include colour, nationality, ethnicity or national origin), religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

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Research areas