Westheimer Scholarship

The Westheimer Scholarship is open to young people from asylum-seeking backgrounds wishing to study for their first undergraduate degree or an equivalent professional qualification. The scholarship will pay home tuition fees* and associated study costs. The specific amount awarded will be dependent upon the candidate’s individual circumstances and university location.

*The trust will help successful candidates to request home fees from their chosen university. The final award of a Westheimer Scholarship will be dependent on successfully getting a home tuition fee offer.

Please make sure you meet the following criteria before applying:

1. Be 30 years old or younger.
2. Be an asylum seeker (or the dependent of an asylum seeker) living in the UK who is awaiting a decision or appealing a decision for asylum from the UK Home Office; OR a person (or dependent of a person) living in the UK who claimed asylum in the UK and has been granted Limited Leave to Remain or some other form of temporary status such as Calais Leave, Discretionary Leave to Remain, Section 67 leave, UASC leave.
3. A student wishing to pursue an undergraduate degree in social work, medicine, nursing, or related health or social care professions.

Applications for the 2025 intake will open on 1st April 2025, and close at 5pm BST on 9th May 2025. Interviews for successful candidates will be held from June 2025.

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document and Guidance Notes before beginning the online application form. 

Please note that there is no advantage for students who submit their applications first, so please take your time and fill in applications carefully. Applications must be made using the online form - however, should you wish to prepare your answers, you can do so using this Word version of the application form.

Background of the Westheimer Scholarship:

The Westheimer Scholarship - named after Ilse Westheimer - was established by former refugees who benefited from welcome and support in the UK when fleeing Nazi Germany. Ilse Westheimer was a very successful social worker, and trainer of social workers. As a result, the Westheimer Scholarship helps young asylum seekers (aged up to 30 years old) pursue higher education in social care, medicine, nursing, or related professions.