The University of Westminster has announced the availability of its Sanctuary Scholarship, a fully funded opportunity for students seeking to pursue a Master’s degree in the United Kingdom.

According to the institution, the Westminster Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship provides a full tuition fee waiver along with £1,000 for living expenses over a 12-month period.

This funding is directed specifically at students residing in the UK who do not qualify for traditional financial aid.

This initiative,  as stated, aims to support individuals seeking asylum or those with refugee status who are unable to access postgraduate financial support.

Scholarship Overview 

According to Scholarship Region, the Sanctuary Scholarship is part of the University’s commitment to support international students facing significant barriers to higher education.

The scholarship caters to those with refugee or asylum seeker status, ensuring they have access to educational opportunities despite financial constraints.

Eligibility Criteria 

To qualify for the Westminster Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship for the 2025 academic year, applicants must meet specific requirements.

These include holding an offer for a full-time Master’s course at the University of Westminster starting in September 2024 or January 2025. Additionally, candidates must reside in the UK and possess one of the following immigration statuses:

• UK asylum seeker
• UK discretionary leave to remain (due to an asylum application)
• UK limited leave to remain (due to an asylum application)
• UK refugee status

Notably, students who already possess a Master’s degree or those who can receive taught postgraduate loans from Student Finance are ineligible. Certain course types, such as Postgraduate Diplomas and professional qualifications, are also excluded from this scholarship opportunity.

Benefits of the Scholarship

The Sanctuary Scholarship offers substantial financial support, including a full tuition fee waiver and a monthly allowance of £1,000 for up to 12 months. This financial backing is geared to alleviate the economic burden on students, allowing them to focus on their studies and personal development.

Application Process 

Interested candidates can apply for the University of Westminster Sanctuary Scholarship by following a straightforward process. Applicants should first secure a place in a full-time Master’s degree program starting in September 2024 or January 2025.

They will then need to complete the Sanctuary Scholarship application form and submit it along with their academic transcripts. The completed application should be sent as a PDF attachment to scholarships@westminster.ac.uk.

The deadline for applications is set for November 22, 2024. The university encourages all eligible candidates to apply and take advantage of this opportunity.

The management of the University of Ilesa (UNILESA), Osun state, has announced that all Faculty of Education programmes are tuition-free from 100 level to graduation.

In a statement released on Sunday, the school authorities said students admitted to education programmes will only pay affordable incidental charges.

The statement said the decision aims to address the declining enrollment in education programmes and preserve the teaching profession.

The policy takes effect from the 2024/2025 academic session.

“The University of Ilesa, Ilesa, Osun State has made all programmes in the Faculty of Education in the University Tuition Fee Free from 100 level till graduation,” it reads in part.

“Therefore, students admitted to study education programmes in the University will only have to pay certain affordable incidental charges.

“The Authorities of the University arrived at this decision while expressing great concern over the general dwindling enrollment of candidates in all programmes in the Faculty of Education and the need to save the noble teaching profession from extinction.

Nsikak Akpan, the provost of Foreign Links Campus, Ile-Ife, Osun state, has completed his 150-hour marathon lecture and awaits the Guinness World Records (GWR) certification.

The doctorate holder started the 6-day teaching exercise at the school campus in the Moro area of the state.

In July, the scholar said he was embarking on the exercise out of passion for “teaching and desire to inspire” people.

Akpan, an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), said he wants his GWR attempt to become an “inspiration for all who dared to dream big”.

“… as I will reach the 150th hour. The whole world will erupt in applause,” he had said.

“As this dream had become a reality, proving that with perseverance and passion, anything is possible. And my story will become an inspiration for all who dared to dream big.”

He also revealed that the GWR had given him the green light to embark on his marathon lecture.

During the exercise, Akpan lectured the student audience on the ‘Relationship Between Man’s Environment and Health’. He completed the exercise on Sunday afternoon and awaits certification from the GWR.

The current record holder for the longest lecture marathon is Arvind Mishra. The Indian man taught scientific computation for 139 hours, 42 minutes, and 56 seconds in 2014.