A Palestinian student, Qusay Al-Reqeb, is appealing for support to fund his unconditional offer to study at the University of Glasgow in September.
The offer to study BSc Computing Science at the University of Glasgow comes to the twenty-one year old student after three years out of education due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Qusay, alongside thousands of other Palestinians, has been displaced from his home, and is currently living in a tent on the Gazan shore.
He hopes to make it across the border to Egypt for his safety, and to simplify his journey to Glasgow.
The financial impact of war has resulted in a loss of income for Qusay’s family, and he is seeking donations or sponsorship to fund his tuition fees and living costs, including through a GoFundMe set up by students at the University of Glasgow and the University of St Andrews.
Tuition fees at the University of Glasgow for the 2026/27 academic year according to Qusay’s offer letter are £33,210, and monthly living costs are estimated to be between £1,100 and £1,700.
When speaking to The Student about the financial barriers he is facing, Qusay said: “The annual tuition fees alone [are] an astronomical sum. I’m focusing on finding a humanitarian organisation to sponsor my studies.”
The University of Glasgow offers some financial support specifically for Palestinian students through the Dima Alhaj Scholarship, which provides full tuition fees, a stipend of £9,010 to cover living costs, university accommodation, visa and health surcharge costs, and a flight to Glasgow, but this is only awarded to one undergraduate student annually.
Whilst Qusay has been awarded with the World Changers Global Excellence Scholarship by the University of Glasgow, this £10,000 will not cover his tuition fees.
Qusay told The Student: “The war affected me in every way. I lost people dear to my heart who were martyred in the war, and I lost my home, my memories, everything I owned.
“I’ve practically lost my entire life; I’m living in a body without a soul. Perhaps this opportunity to attend Glasgow will be my last chance for an education … I want to help my family.”
The GoFundMe page has currently raised £9,380 of its £10,000 target, which Qusay has expressed gratitude for: “The people of Scotland are very kind and love to help people.”
This sum remains insufficient to support Qusay’s journey to Glasgow, and his tuition and living costs, but he “remains certain” that he will be able to fulfill his offer.
Image provided by Qusay Al-Reqeb.