Scholarships for students from Gaza
Updated 15 July 2026
© Crown copyright 2026
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-students-travelling-to-the-uk-from-gaza/scholarships-for-students-from-gaza
There are students in Gaza who have full scholarships to study in the UK who are unable to travel to begin their studies this autumn because of the situation in Gaza.
Support with visas
As the Foreign Secretary set out in her Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament on 24 June 2026, the government will provide support to enable eligible students in Gaza to depart and take up their places at UK universities for the 2026 to 2027 academic year.
This includes support for dependants of those students who are able to meet the relevant requirements of the Immigration Rules.
The Home Office has put in place systems to support the visa process.
Full details on eligibility are given in the sections student eligibility and eligibility of dependents.
Chevening scholars and those with fully funded, verifiable, scholarships starting in the 2026 to 2027 autumn term have been prioritised, reflecting assurance that they meet the requirements of the Student visa rules, and given these students’ potential role in rebuilding Gaza in the future.
Support to exit Gaza
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will seek to support eligible students and their eligible dependants to try to exit Gaza and travel to the UK.
The delivery of this support is reliant on several factors that are outside of HM Government’s control, including co-ordination with international partners. Exit from Gaza for dependants of students eligible under the Immigration Rules can only be implemented in coordination with international partners on a case-by-case basis.
While HM Government’s support will be offered to all eligible students and their eligible dependants, their journey out of Gaza and onwards travel to the UK cannot be guaranteed, and timelines remain uncertain. There also may be practical and safeguarding impediments for any child dependant to travel, where not accompanied by a parent.
Given the situation in this region can change rapidly and with little warning, and the potential for alternative exit routes to open from Gaza, the government will keep the scope and delivery of support under review.
Student eligibility
To be eligible for HM Government’s support to try to exit Gaza and come to the UK under this approach, students must submit a student visa application, which will need to be sponsored by their university, and pay associated fees.
Students must:
- be aged 18 or over
- meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules
- have an offer for a course starting no later than 31 December 2026
- be supported by a fully funded and verified scholarship that covers both:
- course fees
- living costs
Universities must provide details of eligible students by 31 October 2026.
Eligibility of dependants
HM Government will also seek to support the eligible dependants of Chevening or fully funded scholarship students to try to exit Gaza. To be eligible to apply for this support, dependants of Chevening or fully funded scholarship students must submit a student dependant visa application and pay associated fees.
They must also:
- be a dependant, as defined in the Immigration Rules, namely the partner or spouse, or a child under 18, of a student who is either studying a PhD, doctoral qualification or research-based higher degree or holds a financial sponsorship or scholarship from a government, as defined in the Immigration Rules, and
- the student they are accompanying was or is being supported to exit Gaza under this process, and
- meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules, including to have verifiable funding in place (as set out in Appendix Finance of the Immigration Rules) to cover their living costs, up to a total of £6,120 for those studying outside of London, or £7,605 for those studying in London
Security checks
Robust security checks will be undertaken on all individuals who enter the UK through this process. Biometrics will be collected as part of the visa application process and prior to the final decision on granting entry to the UK as a student or student dependant.