An Open Futures Sanctuary Scholarship provides new, UK-resident students who have been displaced from their homeland or place of residence for political, economic, ethnic, environmental, or human rights pressures, the opportunity to study for free.
Applications are now open, with 12 scholarships available in 2023/24. A scholarship covers up to 360 credits of OU undergraduate credit-bearing study, paying for the full tuition cost of these credits, up to 120 credits each seasonal academic.
Successful recipients of a scholarship will also receive a free starter pack of equipment to ensure they are ready to study. The starter pack will include a laptop with Microsoft Office, a laptop case, a keyboard and mouse, a printer, printer ink and paper.
Last year, one such recipient was Maria, who escaped from the war in Ukraine with only her laptop and her guitar and is now retraining for a career in IT through the OU.
“I used to be a lawyer in Ukraine, but then the war started, and I was stuck in a blockade for three weeks,” explained Maria.
“The time without signal, electricity and water made me revaluate all principles and I promised myself that if I stayed alive, from now on I will do only the things I truly like. So, when I escaped and came to the UK, I knew it was my chance to make some changes.”
In Kyiv, Maria was working as a lawyer in the IT department of a large company and was planning to switch to a more technical role but was nervous about such a big career change and having to retrain. However, the unexpected war changed her plans, and she seized the opportunity to start again.
Luckily as soon as her boyfriend heard about the situation in Ukraine, he immediately applied for a visa for Maria.
“My boyfriend who is studying with The Open University saw a news item about the Sanctuary Scholarships and convinced me to apply.”
“I felt so incredibly lucky and grateful when I heard I had been awarded a scholarship,” said Maria. “Having a degree in IT will be of great benefit and essential when applying for the job roles I am interested in. A degree will increase my chances of working for a larger company or even possibly setting up my own business.”
Maria has found solace in her studies and hopes it will give her greater opportunities in the future:
“Studying makes me feel that I am achieving something every day,” explained Maria. “This feeling encourages me to live and believe in better future for me and my family. It’s already helped me at work, as I have found it easier to communicate with my colleagues as they are English speaking developers.
“Thank you for making this possible for me and giving me something positive in my life.”
The Sanctuary Scholarship is part of a £3 million support package to help disadvantaged groups study during the cost-of-living crisis.
Applicants who are unsuccessful in being awarded a Sanctuary Scholarship will be offered the opportunity to study a 30 credit Open University Access module, starting in October 2023 for free.
Learn more, including full details about eligibility, and apply for your place before midnight, 12 July 2023.
