Birkbeck was recognised as a University of Sanctuary for its significant work with the Compass Project, an award-winning initiative launched in 2016 to break down barriers and support students from a forced migrant background to navigate the process of applying to higher education study.

The recognition makes the College the first higher education institution in London to receive the award, reflecting its ongoing commitment to the sanctuary community.

Matt Innes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said, “The founders of the College made it their mission to provide learning opportunities for those who would otherwise have been excluded from education. For nearly two hundred years, this ethos of open access to study at Birkbeck has underpinned our work and the support to our sanctuary communities is very much aligned with that. To be named a University of Sanctuary, and indeed the first London university to receive this award, is both an incredible achievement and an honour; and I commend all of our teams and partners for working tirelessly to deliver programmes to support our refugee students.”

For further information about the Compass project and more news coverage click here.