The University of Leeds is offering humanitarian scholarships to displaced Gazan citizens

The University of Leeds is offering humanitarian scholarships to citizens of Gaza who have been displaced as a result of the ongoing conflict in the region.

The scholarships will provide Gazan citizens the opportunity to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level at the University.

They will be available to Gazan citizens who are living in countries outside of Palestine and the UK, with applications opening in early 2025.

According to the University of Leeds, the scholarship will cover the full cost of tuition fees, as well as £12,000 in payments given directly to students for accommodation, study and living expenses.

It will also include £2,500 towards the cost of students’ travel to the UK, their visa, and NHS surcharge for healthcare, as well as full membership to The Edge, the University’s gym and sports centre.

The University of Leeds clarifies that applying for the scholarship is not an application to gain a place on a course. To apply for a course, prospective students must follow the instructions on the correct course page via the University’s Course Search website.

Citizens of Gaza can apply for this scholarship if they have an offer or if they have applied to a three or four year undergraduate degree – including foundation degrees – starting in the 2025/26 academic year.

Applications for this scholarship do not include postgraduate research or PhD study.

The University has outlined the criteria which all prospective students must meet, in order to be eligible to apply.

Applicants must be Gazan citizens, or have been a citizen of Gaza before the escalation of the conflict in October 2023.

Applicants must currently be living outside of Gaza or Palestine and not in the UK.

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Additionally, applicants must normally pay for their own tuition fees and living costs, and would normally pay fees as an international, or overseas, student.

The University clarifies that whilst prospective students must have already applied to study a course at the University of Leeds, they do not need to have received their offer before they can apply for the scholarship.

On the University website, Leeds has said: “Our students and staff have been deeply affected by events in Israel and Gaza and many are concerned about the safety of those in the region, including family and friends.

“For many years, the University has supported displaced students and staff from around the world, helping them to settle safely in Leeds through Sanctuary Scholarships and working with the Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara).

“Throughout the terrible events in Israel and Gaza, colleagues from across the institution and LUU have been working together to provide support for all students and academics affected by the conflict.

“Alongside other Russell Group universities, the University of Leeds has been exploring other ways of supporting those directly displaced by the conflict in the region.”

The University of Leeds already provides Sanctuary Scholarships to support forced migrants who are in the UK to study at Leeds.

It reports that two additional Sanctuary Scholarships are now available specifically for Gazan students who may not be in the UK.

Once at Leeds, all Sanctuary Scholars receive support and regular check-ins with the Educational Engagement team to ensure they are settling into life in Leeds.

The University says it is working towards securing University of Sanctuary Status.

Writing about this initiative on the University website, it has said: “Good progress has been made towards this with the intention to submit an application for consideration in early 2025.

“A working-group has also been created to explore pathways for supporting Gazan universities and students via initiatives and partnerships with other universities and agencies with expertise in the region.

“We will continue to identify opportunities to support all staff and students through this unimaginable crisis.”

The University has reported that any criteria or features of the humanitarian scholarship for citizens of Gaza are subject to change until applications open.

Applicants can register their interest in the Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship here.