The Scholarship Supported By The Marks Family Charitable Trust

The scholarships supported by the Marks Family Charitable Trust are open to asylum-seeking background students with proven academic excellence embarking on a postgraduate degree programme (Masters or Doctorate). Candidates must be able to demonstrate how their chosen degree will make a valuable contribution to society.

The scholarship will contribute towards course tuition fees (approximately £9,500 per year but exact awards will vary by candidate). The Trust will assist successful candidates to negotiate home fees from their chosen university. The final award of a Marks Scholarship will be dependent upon receiving a “home” tuition fee offer.

Applicants will need to demonstrate that they can cover their living costs whilst at university. The scholarships will be awarded to students who have a refugee or asylum seeking background; people who are not eligible for student finance will be prioritised.

Please make sure you meet the following criteria before applying:

1. Location: you must be currently living in the UK.
2. University: you must have applied, or be in the process of applying, for a postgraduate degree (Masters or PhD) at a UK university.
3. Immigration status: you must have an asylum seeking background (e.g. your immigration status is the result of an asylum claim in the UK).
4. Degree course: you must be pursuing a course which will have a clear contribution to society.

Applications for the 2026 intake will open on 27th April 2026, and close at 5pm BST on 29th May 2026. Interviews for successful candidates will be held in July 2026.

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.