A Palestinian student awarded a full scholarship to study at the University of Cambridge is unable to leave Gaza due to the UK government’s visa requirements.

Malak Hani, 19, graduated from secondary school with the second-highest score in the Palestinian territories and was accepted to study History and Politics at Downing College.

However, Hani lives in western Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli military campaign, where visa processing is impossible due to the closure of local application centres.

Hani told The Telegraph: “I am stuck… losing another year without education would be very hard on me… I may lose my life first.”

As she awaits help from the UK, Hani teaches displaced children in makeshift classrooms. “I have every reason to believe the UK will help us, I truly believe the doors will open soon.”

Also speaking to The Sunday Times, she said: “It has always been my dream school. I am hopeful that I can take my place there this fall.”

Under the government’s immigration rules, international students must provide biometric data in person. With the visa centre in Gaza shut and exit routes blocked, students are unable to meet this requirement. The nearest safe places with offices are Jordan and Egypt, but the students need British government intervention to enable them to leave Gaza.

The University and Downing are in regular contact with Hani and are supporting her application. They are making representations to the relevant government departments on behalf of the affected students.

Professor Graham Virgo, Master of Downing College, told The Sunday Times: “Malak received an unconditional offer from Downing College to read History and Politics in a very competitive admissions round in December 2024. She impressed her interviewers with her intellect and breadth of knowledge and we are really pleased to see that she has been awarded the Rowan Williams Cambridge Studentship from the University.

“Given the incredibly challenging circumstances under which Malak has applied to Cambridge, it is humbling to see how she has managed to keep focused and academically driven. To sit her online admissions interview, Malak carried a large heavy solar battery on her back and walked for two kilometres across Gaza to reach a friend’s house who had access to the internet but no electricity.

“Downing hopes to welcome her to the College in October and we urge the Government to intervene and assist in getting students safely out of Gaza as other countries have done,” Virgo continued.

Hani is one of at least 40 Palestinian students who have received offers to study at UK universities this year, including several recipients of the government-backed Chevening Scholarship.

None of the scholars have been able to reach the UK. Several other European countries, including France, Ireland, and Italy, have arranged for similar students to be evacuated.

In May, the affected students wrote an open letter to Foreign Secretary David Lammy requesting government assistance. They reportedly did not receive an official response.

Academics working with the students have questioned the in-person biometric requirements. Dr Nora Parr, a researcher at the University of Birmingham who is assisting the group, said: “Unless there is direct action from the Government, there is no possibility the students will be able to travel.”

The Foreign Office has acknowledged the situation but declined to comment on individual cases. A spokesperson said: “We are aware of the students and are considering the request for support. Clearly the situation on the ground in Gaza makes this challenging.”

Lord Simon Woolley, Principal at Homerton College, posted on LinkedIn: “I’ve written to the Government, who have assured me they are working to resolve the situation. Many people are working tirelessly behind the scenes to get these young students out.”