Students from Ukraine have been offered five full scholarships to St Mary's University, covering 100% of all fees.

These five scholarships, which would be worth tens of thousands of pounds, are available to any person who was a citizen, resident, or student in Ukraine on February 23.

The news is the latest evidence of how the community, residents, businesses and organisations across Richmond and Twickenham has offered support, cash and donations of emergency aid to the people of Ukraine.

The available courses are intended for September 2022 enrolment, and if places remain, will also be open to students beginning courses in January or September 2023.

The scholarships are available for the following programmes for either full-time of part-time study:

- Two places for MA Catholic Social Teaching or MA Catholic School Leadership, for which distance learning is available.

- One place for MA Social Justice and Public Service.

- Two places on any St Mary's Master's Degree, including some course which also provide distance learning.

The university offers a number of distance learning Masters degrees, allowing successful applicants to the scholarships to complete their studies if they wish to remain in Ukraine or another country in which they have sought refuge.

Speaking of the scholarships, St Mary's Vice-Chancellor Anthony McClaran said: "As an institution, we believe in the transformative power of education.

"It allows people from all walks of life to change their outcomes through developing skills and accessing knowledge.

"We feel it is our moral duty to provide access to education for people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, to help the successful applicants to rebuild their lives after such an appalling upheaval.

"Students and staff across the university, and indeed throughout the higher education sector, have been deeply touched by the harrowing images of the war in Ukraine and the plight of civilians escaping the conflict.

"Students have raised substantial sums of money for refugees from Ukraine and students and staff have helped in other ways. We have also come to together as a community to hold vigils and pray for victims of the conflict.

"I am sure our entire community will be delighted to hear of the provision of these scholarships for victims of the war and welcome the successful applicants with open arms."

Full details for applying to the scholarships can be found on the St Mary's website here.