Studying In The UK As an Asylum Seeker

Overview

As an asylum seeker, you can go to university, yet in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland there will be charges of fees for an international/overseas rate, and you are generally not eligible for student finance. The rules are different in Scotland. Do keep in mind that the above assistance is provided by STAR.

The primary costs of the university include living costs and tuition fees, which include accommodation, food, transport, course costs, and so on.

As an asylum seeker, you will likely have to pay your tuition fees at an overseas or international rate. Depending on the university course and the specific university chosen, the costs may vary. Living costs can also vary; this will depend on the location as well as whether the individual applying needs to pay for accommodation as well as additional factors.

Asylum-seeking students and refugee students should budget for around £1,000 per month as a minimum to cover living costs.

There are ways to finance university scholarships as an asylum seeker, such as:

University scholarships.

Many different universities offer scholarships to those who are unable to access student finance due to their immigration status. These will all have varying titles but are often called ‘Sanctuary Scholarships, Article 26 Awards, or Equal Access. These also typically pay tuition fees and can sometimes grant additional funds for living costs.

Private scholarships

There are a few different scholarships that are available to those who are unable to get funding in other ways to be able to study in the UK. These include the following:

• Grenfell scholarship.
• Brittan Scholarship.
• Westheimer Scholarship.
• Marks Family Charitable Foundation Scholarship.

Eligibility Criteria For Funding

The individual programme will dictate their eligibility for funding. It is always best that the applicant contact the funding agency directly for funding information. Generally, however, individuals need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

• The individual, their partner, or a dependent must be an asylum seeker. Alternatively, the individual must be a temporary resident with DLR status or other temporary status for asylum seekers, dependents, or partners.
• The individual has to be enrolled in a school, college, volunteer organisation, or community that can provide a reference for their application. Or, the individual can identify a local or national charity that can support the funding application.
• Mainstream funding sources such as grants from municipal governments, government benefits, student loans, and government benefits are all unavailable to the individual.
• Unconditional or conditional offers of admission to a programme at a university are a requirement for being eligible to apply for a scholarship.

Additionally, be aware that individuals applying to study at a university will need to fulfil the financing requirements of the organisation they are applying to study at. Many universities and colleges may only accept applicants who live within a reasonable commuting distance.

Overview

Applying for university in the UK will have a different process depending on whether you are applying as a postgraduate or undergraduate.

If applying as an undergraduate, it is necessary to apply on the UCAS website. The deadline for applications is January each year. Applicants can apply to up to five different universities through the UCAS applications portal.

It is important that, at this point, the student ensures that the universities they are applying to have scholarships for which they are eligible. If the applicant is unable to meet the deadline for applications in January, they might be able to apply through UCAS Extra, which typically remains open until June 30th.

Students applying from 2023 will be able to benefit from a new section of the application that allows students to share information regarding their circumstances with the college or university. This includes informing the institution about their status as a refugee, asylum seeker, or having limited leave to remain in the UK.

Having this information enables the institution to quickly and easily connect the individual with the appropriate support for their needs. This also enables the institution to ensure that asylum seekers or refugee students have all the information they need.

Alternatively, those who wish to apply for a postgraduate course can apply via the university website directly. Deadlines for postgraduate applications tend to vary; however, it is advisable to ensure that there is plenty of time for the applicant to apply for their scholarship.

Scholarship Applications

Applying for a scholarship will vary depending on the university that the applicant is applying to and the scholarship. However, most of the time, it is essential for the individual to apply for a university course before they can apply for a scholarship.

It is pivotal that the student check the university deadline for applications and give plenty of time to fill out a scholarship application. This is because scholarship applications can be time-consuming to complete.

STAR has some tips for applying for a scholarship. These include:

• Research the university and the scholarship to ensure it is appropriate for you.
• Attend information sessions offered by the university and read online resources.
• Read the application guidance before applying, ensure you have a full understanding of all steps, and complete it plenty of time before the deadline.
• Should you have any questions, always ask the university you are applying to.
• Many universities ask for a supporting statement that explains how the scholarship will help to support future goals, elaborates on barriers to continuing your education, shows how you are prepared for university, and shares your achievements.
• Be sure to have a reference for your application.