Applications are open for the Westheimer Scholarship 2026 in the United Kingdom. The scholarship supports young people from asylum-seeking backgrounds who are unable to access UK Student Finance and who wish to pursue undergraduate studies in health and social care-related fields.
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Get Your Copy →The scholarship is administered by the Schwab and Westheimer Trust and is specifically designed to help eligible students study courses such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, social work, and other related professions.
Successful applicants may receive support for home tuition fees and associated study-related costs while pursuing their first undergraduate degree or equivalent professional qualification in the UK. 1
Summary
- Scholarship Name: Westheimer Scholarship 2026
- Host Organisation: Schwab and Westheimer Trust
- Host Country: United Kingdom
- Study Level: Undergraduate
- Scholarship Type: Funded Scholarship
- Eligible Applicants: Young people from asylum-seeking backgrounds in the UK
- Eligible Courses: Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work, Health and Social Care, and related professions
- Funding Coverage: Home tuition fees and associated study costs
- Age Requirement: Under 30 years old at course start
- Application Deadline: 29 May 2026 at 5pm BST
- Interview Period: July 2026
- Application Mode: Online application
- Official Application Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKZ95jINrOAsswuS-G84ZRYnMvP-ASkbD8tJQgMBRJ6bfvSA/viewform
About the Westheimer Scholarship
The Westheimer Scholarship was established to support students from asylum-seeking backgrounds who face barriers to accessing higher education in the United Kingdom.
The scholarship is named after Ilse Westheimer, a former refugee who later became a successful social worker and trainer of social workers in the UK.
The scholarship programme aims to help young people who have experienced forced displacement pursue careers in healthcare, social care, and related professions that contribute positively to society. 2
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants may receive:
- Payment of home tuition fees
- Support for associated study costs
- Assistance in requesting home fee status from universities
- Pastoral and guidance support
- Educational support throughout studies
- Opportunity to pursue higher education in the UK
- Financial support for eligible undergraduate studies
The exact amount awarded may depend on:
- Individual circumstances
- University location
- Tuition fee arrangements
- Study-related costs
The final scholarship award is dependent on successfully obtaining a home tuition fee offer from the chosen university. 3
Eligible Degree Courses
The Westheimer Scholarship is intended for students pursuing degrees in health and social care-related fields.
Eligible courses may include:
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Social Work
- Health and Social Care
- Allied Health Professions
- Related healthcare and social care programmes
Applicants should ensure that their chosen course aligns with the scholarship focus before applying.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the Westheimer Scholarship 2026, applicants must generally meet the following requirements:
- Must currently live in the United Kingdom
- Must have applied for one or more undergraduate courses at UK universities through UCAS, or already be studying an undergraduate course
- Must be from an asylum-seeking background
- Must not have access to UK Student Finance
- Must be under 30 years old when the course begins
- Must be pursuing a first undergraduate degree or equivalent professional qualification
- Must be studying an eligible health or social care-related course
Eligible immigration statuses may include:
- Asylum seeker
- Limited Leave to Remain
- Discretionary Leave to Remain
- Calais Leave
- Section 67 Leave
- UASC Leave
- Other temporary immigration statuses without access to Student Finance
Applicants should carefully review the official eligibility guidance before applying. 4
Who Should Apply?
The scholarship is suitable for:
- Young asylum seekers in the UK
- Refugee-background students without access to Student Finance
- Students pursuing healthcare careers
- Students interested in social work and care professions
- Applicants facing financial barriers to university education
- Students committed to contributing to health and social care sectors
The programme is particularly valuable for students who want to build careers that positively impact communities and society.
Application Process
Applicants are required to submit their applications through the official online application form.
The application process may include:
- Online application submission
- Eligibility review
- Document verification
- Assessment of academic and personal background
- Shortlisting
- Interview process in July 2026
Applicants are encouraged to carefully complete the application and provide accurate information.
Required Documents and Information
Applicants may need to prepare:
- Personal details
- Immigration status information
- UCAS application details
- University admission information
- Academic background
- Personal statement or motivation information
- Details of financial circumstances
- Supporting documentation related to immigration or study status
- Any additional documents requested during the application process
Applicants should carefully review the official guidance notes before starting the application.
Important Dates
Applications Open
- 27 April 2026
Application Deadline
- 29 May 2026 at 5pm BST
Interview Period
- July 2026
Applicants are advised to apply early and avoid waiting until the final day.
Important Notes for Applicants
- Applicants must currently live in the UK.
- The scholarship is only for students without access to UK Student Finance.
- Applicants must pursue eligible health or social care-related degrees.
- Applicants must be under 30 years old at the start of the course.
- The scholarship supports first undergraduate degrees or equivalent professional qualifications.
- The final scholarship award depends on receiving a home tuition fee offer.
- Applications must be submitted through the official online form.
- There is no advantage in submitting applications earlier than others.
- Applicants should carefully read the FAQs and guidance notes before applying.
Official Application Link
Applicants should use the official Westheimer Scholarship application form below:
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Want to increase your chances of winning fully funded scholarships abroad? Learn the exact strategies, common mistakes to avoid, and proven application techniques used by successful applicants.
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