Refugees into Higher Education
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The Higher Education System and the Availability of Courses
In this section of the Resource Hub, our aim is to bring together resources relating to the Higher Education system in the UK and details of the availability of courses. Resources that we are looking in this section include the provision of a pathway the refugees, asylum seekers and migrants can look to follow when looking to access UK Higher Education. This will include providing details of bursaries and scholarships and fee waivers; detailed support and guidance; as well as information on how to apply and general guidance.
We also aim to include access to higher educational resources that are free to access; for example open accessed journals; free academic e-books; and academic resources in various formats available online including core websites; key working papers; multimedia resources; etc. Ideally, all of these resources should be of an academic standard and produced by reliable institutions or authors.
How to find out about courses
This link below provides a table with a list of different universities that currently offer courses and bursaries for different forms of immigration statuses.
How to apply for courses
Full guidelines and details are available on the Article26 website.
Apply through UCAS. An offer via UCAS for a place at one of the universities on this list is essential. Information about the different degree courses available and information about eligibility column to denote different forms of immigration status. Each university has additional eligibility criteria that applicants need to meet to apply. To find this out check each individual university website and for specific questions ask the universities directly.
Resources published by Article26.
University of Sheffield: helps refugee students throughout the whole stages of their academic studies from application up until finding work opportunities after graduation. They also provide advice and support regarding finance, housing and student life.
Where to get guidance
- Article26: Provides advice and information on how to access to Higher Education
- Star Network: Provides information and advice on how to access university
European Network of Information Centres in the European Region (ENIC) and National Academic Recognition Information Centres in the European Union (NARIC): provides information about:
- the higher education sector in general in the United Kingdom
- provides information on recognising qualifications
- Share Network: Connects a variety of actors involved in refugee resettlement. Network members have a shared commitment to refugee resettlement and refugee protection, by ensuring robust solutions are created for refugees. They also ensure that refugees resettled to Europe receive integration support that provides them with the tools to become fully participating citizens.
- London Met's Refugee Assessment and Guidance Unit (RAGU): provides careers advice, guidance and employability skills development training for all refugee health professionals.
- Futurelearn: Provides a free online course with all the information and support needed on how to access the higher education system for refugees and asylum seekers.
- Refugee Study: Scholarships, grants and free courses for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants
- Refugee Support Network: supports young people affected to access and progress in education. Their 'Higher Education Programme', is a support service that is specialised for young refugees and asylum seekers who are having problems accessing higher education.
Information on Finance - Tuition fees and loans, bursaries, scholarships etc.
General guidance and information on tuition fees in the United Kingdom:
Tuition fees for international students vary from university to university and depending on the course but are usually at least £10k per year for undergraduates and probably more for postgraduate students
- Part-time courses cost less per year
- International students can NOT receive any financial support from the governmental side
- BUT there is financial support if you are caring for an adult dependant or child and these loans DO NOT have to be paid back.
Bursaries and Scholarships
Most universities offer a wide range of scholarships and funding options to their students so it is necessary to check the university's website and speak to their consultation services. Many countries and governmental organisations offer scholarships so it is advisable to look into that option too. Furthermore, there are many bodies that offer different types of scholarships so it's worth running a thorough search on the internet.
Good places to start include:
- UK Council for International Student Affairs
- SI-UK
- Scholars for Development
- Top Universities
- The Scholarship Hub
Certain organisations have specialised in providing help to refugees and asylum seekers:
- Helena Kennedy Foundation
- STAR Student Action for Refugees (providing a list of all scholarships aimed at asylum seekers)
Loans
The option of a loan shouldn't be considered lightly as you risk falling into debt and the interest rates on loans (especially student loans) are usually very high.
There are many companies and banks offering loans so you should take your time and consider all different options before taking a loan.
Good pages to compare loans: Go Compare or Money Saving Expert.
In some cases, a credit card might be the cheaper, better option than a loan.
