General information
School and College
In the UK, you can go to school between the age of 5 to 18 for free, regardless of your immigration status. You can also study at a sixth form/college also for free, wherever you are from, and whatever your immigration status. However, you must meet some residency and entry requirements (depending on the course). Check out this page to see what the requirements are.
University
With any of the types of statuses listed below, you are allowed to go to university (unless you have particular immigration bail conditions). However, you must meet entry requirements for the course, and depending on your immigration status, you must either fund your own study, apply for a scholarship or apply for a Government loan from Student Finance (the loans from the UK government that help you pay for your university tuition fees and living costs).
The main costs of going to university are the tuition fees and your living costs (such as accommodation, transport, food, etc). Here is information about what you are allowed to apply for, depending on each immigration status:
Asylum Seekers:
If you are an asylum seeker wanting to study at University, you have to fund your own studies and may have to pay overseas (international) fees, which are higher than home fees. However, it is the decision of the university whether they charge Home or International fees.
However, there are currently 85 universities in the UK that offer scholarships to help asylum seekers study. These scholarships include a fee waiver (removing the tuition fee) plus other support towards accommodation and study costs.
See the full list of university scholarships here
Get up-to-date information about new scholarships/study opportunities
Refugee, Humanitarian Protection, and Indefinite leave to remain
If you have refugee, humanitarian protection status, or indefinite leave to remain, you will be considered a ‘Home’ student, and charged Home fees (in the same way as other British students) and you can apply for Student Finance to cover these fees, and a maintenance loan to cover accommodation and any other study costs.
Limited Leave / Discretionary Leave to Remain
If you have this status and want to go to university, you can apply for Student Finance. However, you have to meet specific requirements. You must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years before beginning your course AND have lived in the UK for 7 years if you are under 18, or for half your life if you are over 18.
The details of this status and proving your eligibility to student finance with sufficient evidence can get complicated. If you need any help or support, you can contact [email protected]. We Belong is an organisation led by experts in access to HE for people with limited/discretionary status.
If you’re seeking asylum or from a refugee background and are interested in attending university in the UK, there are some steps you should follow:
1. Check your eligibility for student finance
Your eligibility to apply to student finance depends on your immigration status. In general, if you have asylum status, you are not eligible to apply for Student Finance (the loans from the UK government that help you pay for your university tuition fees and living costs). If you have Refugee Status or Humanitarian Protection, you can apply for Student Finance.
If you have discretionary or limited leave to remain, you will only be able to access student finance if you are:
- Under 18 years old and have lived in the UK for at least seven years before the first day of the first academic year of your course.
- Aged 18 years and above and have either spent at least half your life in the UK or at least 20 years in the UK prior to the first day of the first academic year of your course.
For a detailed explanation of student finance eligibility for refugees and people seeking asylum, visit the UKCISA website and the Refugee Education UK website.
2. Check the list of universities that offer scholarships
After checking the information above, if you know you cannot apply for Student Finance, you are able to apply for a scholarship (sometimes known as Sanctuary Scholarship, Article 26 Scholarship, or Equal Access Scholarship).
Over 80 universities in the UK now offer these scholarships for asylum seekers and refugees. Although it is not guaranteed because the numbers at each university are limited, you can maximise your chances by applying to more than one university and making sure they offer a scholarship that suits you.
Take a look at this scholarships list . This list is regularly updated by the organisation STAR (Student Action for Refugees).
To hear about scholarships opening dates and university opportunities, sign up to STAR Equal Access Mailing List
3. Check if you are eligible for a scholarship
From the scholarship list above, you will see that each scholarship is different in terms of the amount of funding and which statuses can apply, they are all slightly different. Some are only open to asylum seekers, others are open to other statuses. Check the eligibility section of the scholarships list and the University’s website. If you are not sure about anything, email the university and ask. Make a note of the scholarship deadline.
4. Apply for your course
Before you can apply for a scholarship, you must have an offer from university. The reason we recommend looking at the scholarships list first is so you can check if they have a scholarship, then search and apply for the course of your choice. To get an offer from university, there are two ways to apply:
Undergraduate: To apply for an undergraduate degree, you must apply on the UCAS website. UCAS is the system universities in the UK use to receive students’ applications for Undergraduate courses. The deadline to apply is in January.
You can apply for up to five universities through UCAS – make sure you apply to universities that have scholarships for which you are eligible. If you applied to universities that don’t offer scholarships, you can apply for more universities through UCAS Extra which is usually open until 30 June.
Postgraduate: To apply for a postgraduate degree you do not need to apply on UCAS. You can apply directly through the university’s website. While deadlines for postgraduate applications are flexible, it’s better to apply early to ensure there is time to apply for a scholarship!
5. Apply for a scholarship
Once you have an offer/been accepted to study at a University, it’s time to apply for a scholarship to cover the funds of your study.
Normally, you have to apply for the scholarship on the university website directly. You can find the link for each university in the scholarships list.
Each university have their own application system and guidelines. Make sure you follow their advice and give yourself enough time to complete your application and prepare any personal statements/references needed.
Video: Applying for university on UCAS
Video: Applying for Sanctuary Scholarships
Over 80 universities offer scholarships, bursaries and fee waivers for people who have claimed asylum in the UK. Each scholarship has different eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and levels of financial support. A list of scholarships has been compiled and updated by STAR.
Click here to view the full list of Sanctuary Scholarships
Sign up to STAR’s Equal Access mailing list to stay up to date on scholarship deadlines and new opportunities.
Some students might need a different type of scholarship, for example they want to study a course not covered by a Sanctuary Scholarship. Below is a list of ‘private’ funding sources, independent from universities.
These scholarships are offered by organisations and can be used to support study at the university of your choice. They have different requirements so make sure you check their advice individually.
For more funding options please click here.
Westheimer Scholarship
Three scholarships for asylum seekers aged 28 or under to pursue an undergraduate degree in social care, medicine, nursing or related professions. Applications are open between April and June each year.
Marks Family Charitable Foundation
A scholarship for students from asylum-seeking backgrounds who are embarking on a postgraduate degree programme. The scholarship covers ‘home’ tuition fees (up to £9500 per year). Applications are open between April and June each year.
The Ralph N Emanuel Scholarship
Three scholarships for an undergraduate degree with a clear humanitarian purpose. The specific amount awarded will be dependent upon the candidate’s individual circumstances and university location. See website for full eligibility criteria.
The Jane Goodman Charitable Trust Scholarship
One scholarship for an undergraduate degree in Dentistry. The scholarship will pay home tuition fees and associated study costs. The specific amount awarded will be dependent on the candidate’s individual circumstances and university location. See website for full eligibility criteria.
The Black Heart Scholarship Programme
The Black Heart Scholarship Programme awards several annual bursaries to qualified candidates to advance their educational goals and life aspirations. The process is open to all stages of education from preparatory education to postgraduate schooling and the bursaries can be applied to the costs of formal (classroom/school) education or experiential education (field/community).
The UNITE Foundation Scholarship
Free university accommodation for care leavers and estranged students aged 25 or under, holding home fee status and undertaking an undergraduate degree.
Helena Kennedy Foundation HE Awards
Awards of up to £2,250 for students in publicly-funded further education institutions to continue their studies at certain ‘badged’ higher education institutions. Open to applicants who are experiencing barriers to continuing their education and are able to demonstrate severe financial hardship.
RIBA John and David Hubert Bursary
A bursary of up to £6,000 for students who have experienced forced displacement and who are enrolled in a professional qualification in architecture validated by the RIBA as either a Part 1 or a Part 2 course in the UK.
Hornby English Language Teaching Scholarships
The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust is offering a scholarship for a one-year Masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at the University of Warwick. The scholarship is open to experienced teachers who are themselves refugees, or have previously held refugee status, and are currently teaching English to refugees or asylum seekers in the UK.
The Aziz Foundation Scholarships
Aziz Foundation Scholarships cover the cost of fees for Masters degrees at partner institutions for individuals with career aspirations in Media & Journalism, Technology, Sustainability / Environment, Law, Policy (excluding Health Policy), and Creative Content. Scholarships are open to those who qualify for home fee status and are active in a Muslim community.
Some students might need smaller grants or funding to study a course to prepare them for university or employment. These organisations offer grants of varying amounts to support educational costs.
Make sure to check the criteria and closing dates of each bursary to see if you are eligible for support.
Up to £5,000
- The Leathersellers’ Company Student Grants Scheme: Grants of up to £5,000 per year for up to 4 years for students who are enrolled on a full-time degree course at a UK university. The scheme is open to students at least five years leave to remain who can show a commitment to the UK.
- Hope for the Young: Grants of up to £4,500 for refugees, asylum-seekers, and undocumented young people who have no access to government funds, or to those who are facing extreme financial hardship.
- Lawrence Atwell’s Charity: Grants of up to £1,500 for young people aged 16-26 living in England and Wales from low-income backgrounds, to help them gain vocational, accredited qualifications.
- The Richard Stapley Educational Trust: Grants of up to £1,300 for postgraduate students aged 24 or over. Applicants should have been accepted on to or applying for a course of study for a degree in medicine, dentistry or veterinary science taken as a second degree, or for a higher degree (master’s, PhD, or their equivalent) in any subject.
Up to £1,000
- The Ruth Hayman Trust: Grants of up to £1,000 to support the education and training of adults who have come to settle in the UK, and whose first language is not English and cannot afford the full fees for their studies.
- Trinity College London Language Access Fund: Grants (up to £250 for individuals or £2,000 for groups) to help cover the costs of Trinity’s language qualifications. Candidates must be nominated by their teacher or tutor, centre staff member or another appropriate person who is familiar with their background.
- Fund for Human Need: Emergency payments of up to £120, with priority given to those who are destitute or have no income or benefits.
- The Josephine Wolf Trust: Small grants for young people (priority to under 18s, but applications from over 18s will be considered) to help them work towards their career and education goals.
Scotland only
- Undergraduate Tuition Fee Grants – The Carnegie Trust: The Carnegie Trust provides grants for students who are required to pay tuition fees themselves due to prior study or their residency status, including people who are seeking asylum.
London only
- The Mary Trevelyan Hardship Fund: Grants or loans of up to £1,000 available to students in London who have found themselves in unexpected financial difficulties during their studies.
- Sir William Boreman’s Foundation: Grants of up to £3,000 to promote the education of young people under the age of 25 who live in Greenwich and Lewisham, particularly those from a low-income or otherwise disadvantaged background.
- The Walcot Foundation: Grants of up to £1,500 for non-childcare costs and up to £4,000 for childcare costs to help with the costs of a first degree or a vocational (work related) qualification for individuals living in Lambeth.
Further education only
- Learner Support: If you’re aged 19 or over, on a further education course and facing financial hardship, you may be able to apply for Learner Support.
- Family Action Educational Grants: Grants of up to £300 for students over the age of 14 who are studying a course (including access and pre-access course) at a Further Education College affiliated to Family Action.
- Helena Kennedy Foundation DISCOVER Bursaries: Bursaries for students who are in the first year of a two year level 3 study programme at one of the listed further education institutions.
If you have arrived in the UK through the Ukraine schemes (the Ukraine Family Scheme, the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme or the Ukraine Extension Scheme), you are eligible for student loans and home fee status.
Whether you qualify for student finance also depends on your university or college, your course, if you’ve studied a higher education course before, and your age. Therefore, your situation will firstly be assessed by Student Finance. Read more on the GOV.UK website.
You may also be eligible for a Sanctuary Scholarship. Where scholarships explicitly include individuals on the Ukraine schemes, they are highlighted in the list. If you are unsure, you can contact the universities directly to find out if your application will be considered.
REUK have developed an Education Welcome Pack (available here in English, Pashto and Dari) for an introduction to schools and education in the UK. They are currently in the process of translating this document into Ukrainian.
Education without Backpacks has free educational resources for children in Ukrainian, English and Russian on their website.
The Ukrainian Institute London has some useful links on their website, also, and says that they will be updating their page with information on how to get children enrolled into schools in the UK.
Student Action for Refugees (STAR) has a resource/info page for students from Ukraine who may be affected by the crisis in Ukraine.
Welcome: a guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK
If you have arrived in the UK through the Afghan Relocations or Assistance Policy (ARAP) or the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) schemes, you are eligible for student loans and home fee status. Whether you qualify for student finance also depends on your university or college, your course, if you’ve studied a higher education course before, and your age.
Read more on the GOV.UK website.
You may also be eligible for a university scholarship. You can view the scholarships that include people with indefinite leave to remain here: STAR scholarships list. If you are unsure, you can contact the universities directly to find out if your application will be considered.
We have also collected information for students affected by the crisis in Afghanistan.
REUK have developed an Education Welcome Pack (available here in English, Pashto and Dari) for an introduction to schools and education in the UK. They are currently in the process of translating this document into Ukrainian.
Welcome Pack for arrivals on the Afghanistan locally employed staff scheme
