Late last semester, the University welcomed five scholars from Gaza as part of its Humanitarian Postgraduate Scholarship programme. The scholarship programme provides pre-entry guidance, full and partial scholarship funding, and transition support when the scholars arrive to help them to settle in quickly and to develop a sense of belonging at the University.
Working closely with the UK Government, our Widening Participation team supported the scholars through the process of travelling to the UK to begin their programmes at Liverpool as part of a wider national initiative that has seen 40+ students leave Gaza and take up scholarships at UK universities.
Israa, who is now studying English, told us that: “Being in Liverpool feels like a dream come true after two years of trying to come here from Gaza. And although it might sound like a cliché, Liverpool already feels a bit like home.”
Batoul, studying International Business, reflected on his initial impressions of the University and the city: “I am grateful for the support I have received since arriving at the University of Liverpool, I have been made to feel welcomed and comfortable from the very first moment. My experience at the University has been incredibly positive—the atmosphere is pleasant, and the city is calm and lovely, which has helped me settle in and feel that I am in the right place”.
Majd, studying Engineering, added: “Arriving from a different context, I anticipated that the transition would be overwhelming. Instead, kindness and support from the University staff, students, and even the wider community here helped me settle into both my studies and daily life more smoothly.”
The University has welcomed scholars into a range of departments including Architecture, Engineering, English, Management and Medicine. Their transition into university life has been supported by a wide network of staff across the institution, as well as by the Liverpool Guild of Students who led an initiative for displaced medics, which brought a medical student to Liverpool to undertake a year of medical placements with the Medical School.
About the initiative, Liverpool Guild of Students President Othman Ibrahim said: “94% of hospitals in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, we have a moral duty to support Palestinian students, and particularly medical education. I am delighted that I have had the opportunity to represent our students through spearheading the ‘Displaced Medical Student Initiative,’ which was started this year to host one Gazan medical student. I am also deeply grateful to all colleagues in the School of Medicine, Widening Participation Team, and International Advice and Guidance Team who have worked hard to set it up in a short timeframe. I hope that it can continue and expand in the future to support more students from Gaza and those fleeing conflict anywhere in the world.”
This year, the University was awarded University of Sanctuary status by City of Sanctuary UK, reflecting its efforts to make the institution a place of safety, solidarity and empowerment for people seeking sanctuary.
Speaking after the University received University of Sanctuary status in September 2025, Professor Richard Black said:
“The University of Liverpool is a truly inclusive institution, and we take pride in the life-transforming opportunities we provide for all our students, regardless of their background or circumstances…
“Students who have benefitted from our Sanctuary scholarships speak powerfully about their transformative impact….I am immensely grateful to those who have contributed their energy, enthusiasm and external funding to help make this possible”
The Humanitarian Scholarship is open for applications from March 2026 for postgraduate programmes commencing in September 2026.