Westheimer Scholarship 2026 in the UK | Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarship

Applications are now open for the prestigious Westheimer Scholarship 2026 in the United Kingdom. The scholarship is designed to support young people from asylum-seeking and refugee backgrounds who wish to pursue undergraduate education in health and social care-related fields.

The scholarship is funded by the Schwab & Westheimer Trust and aims to help students who are unable to access UK Student Finance continue their higher education journey. The program covers home tuition fees and associated study expenses for selected students.

The scholarship was established in memory of Ilse Westheimer, a refugee from Nazi Germany who later became a successful social worker and trainer of social workers in the UK.

Scholarship Details

• Host Country: United Kingdom
• Scholarship Name: Westheimer Scholarship 2026
• Study Level: Undergraduate Degree / Professional Qualification
• Funding Coverage: Tuition Fees and Study Costs
• Eligible Courses:
  • Medicine
  • Dentistry
  • Nursing
  • Pharmacy
  • Social Work
  • Health and Social Care
  • Related Health Professions
• Application Deadline: 29 May 2026

Scholarship Benefits

Selected applicants will receive:

• Full support for home tuition fees
• Assistance with associated study expenses
• Support in requesting “home fee” status from universities
• Educational opportunities for students from asylum-seeking backgrounds

The exact scholarship amount depends on the candidate’s individual situation and university location.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Westheimer Scholarship, applicants must:

• Be currently living in the UK
• Be under 30 years of age when the course starts
• Have applied for an undergraduate course through UCAS or already be enrolled
• Have an asylum-seeking or refugee-related immigration background
• Be ineligible for UK Student Finance
• Pursue a degree in an eligible health or social care field

Eligible immigration categories include asylum seekers, individuals with Limited Leave to Remain, Calais Leave, Discretionary Leave, Section 67 Leave, and UASC Leave.

Application Timeline

• Applications Open: 27 April 2026
• Application Deadline: 29 May 2026 (5 PM BST)
• Interview Period: July 2026

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the FAQs and guidance notes before submitting their applications.

About the Schwab & Westheimer Trust

The Schwab & Westheimer Trust was established to support the education of young refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. The organization works closely with Refugee Education UK to manage and support scholarship programs for displaced students.