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Useful Resources on Entitlements in Higher Education

How does your status affect your application to university?

Asylum Seeker:

– While decision is with the Home Office, have to pay international fees (classed as an international student) at most institutions
– No access to student loans or grants, or NHS bursaries
– Almost all are denied the right to work so live on Home Office Support (around £36 a week) which is not sufficient to pay for education

Discretionary Leave:

– International fees are charged at the majority of universities
– No access to student loans or grants, or NHS bursaries
– Right to work granted

Humanitarian Protection:

– Home fees charged
– Entitled to apply for a student loan, bursaries etc
– May be entitled to additional support specific to that university
– Right to work granted

Refugee Status:

– Home fees charged
– Entitled to apply for a student loan, bursaries etc
– May be entitled to additional support specific to that university
– Right to work granted

** It is important to check the exact requirements of each university as they vary increasingly in their policies on bursaries, fees, admissions etc.

** If your status/leave to remain in the UK changes during your studies your eligibility to pay ‘home’ or ‘international’ fees will change

 A short guide on access to further education in England for asylum seekers and refugees can be found on the Refugee Council website

 Background information can be found on the STAR Campaign for Equal Access website

 ‘Education for All’: A guide for universities is comprehensive guide for universities, published in 2014. It using case studies from the real experiences of Article 26 students and contains a whole host of information about the asylum process, a student’s rights and entitlements whilst they are seeking asylum.

 Information from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) Fee status in England: High Education