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
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.