If you're applying to higher education as a refugee, asylum seeker or with an insecure immigration status, there may be support available to help you. This page has been created in collaboration with Refugee Education UK, STAR Network and We Belong.
Depending on your particular circumstances and the university or college you want to attend, the support you can access in higher education will look quite different. We strongly recommend doing your research and contacting universities and colleges before applying. The information on this page will help guide you through what you should look for.
This video from Refugee Education UK and the University of Sussex helps to explain how you can apply for university if you are a refugee or asylum seeker in the UK.
Most UK students fund their studies through a tuition fee loan (except in Scotland) and a maintenance loan – usually referred to as ‘student finance’. However, eligibility to access student finance may be restricted for those with certain immigration statuses, so it is important to do your research before you apply to make sure you can get the financial support you need to study.
It is important to enter the correct details on your application and keep universities and colleges updated with any changes so they can assess your status correctly and make sure you have the right information and advice.
If you are eligible, we strongly recommend applying for student finance as early as possible. In some cases, you need to provide evidence and documentation and it may take extra time to assess your application.
If you experience unexpected financial problems while studying, always speak to your university or college immediately to see if they can help. You can also find more help and advice on the UKCISA website.
There are two main tuition fee statuses, and the university or college will decide which applies to you:
'Home' status
To be eligible for ‘home’ fees in the UK, students should usually be:
'Overseas' status
If students are not eligible for ‘home’ status, they will usually be charged ‘overseas’ fees. Typically, this includes:
This is different in Scotland – students who are unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC – see below), children of asylum seekers, and those with limited leave to remain are granted access to ‘home’ fees. Find out more on the SAAS website.
Some universities and colleges elsewhere in the UK also have a policy to charge ‘home’ fees to some groups (e.g. those seeking asylum) so we strongly recommend speaking to them directly to understand your situation.
For full details about home and overseas status and eligibility, we recommend you always check the guidance on the UK Council for International Students' (UKCISA) website.
Where you live and plan to study in the UK can affect your eligibility for tuition fees and student finance. Full details can be found on the UKCISA website and relevant student finance pages by following the links below:
Young people needing help with understanding their fee status may be able to get free legal advice from Coram Children’s Legal Centre.
Some universities and colleges (including some distance learning providers) offer scholarships to displaced students, so do your research and check what’s available. A number of charitable organisations also provide support for asylum seekers to access higher education.
You can find scholarships and bursaries on the Displaced Students Opportunities Portal, and a list of scholarship opportunities in the UK for displaced students on the Student Action for Refugees (STAR) website. You'll also find advice on how to apply, and a mailing list to stay up-to-date with application deadlines and new opportunities.
Read UCAS’ guide to scholarships, grants and bursaries
If you're eligible for student finance, you need a UK bank account to receive your payments. The Refugee Council’s guide to opening a bank account will tell you all you need to know and how to get started if you are a refugee or have leave to remain in the UK. Copies in other languages are available, including Arabic, Farsi, Tigrinya, Pashto, and Kurdish.
Displaced Student Opportunities UK helps displaced people find study opportunities and support at university or college.
You can find information about scholarships and bursaries, English language courses, and other activities to help you prepare for higher education.
A refugee is someone who has fled their country, and has been given permission to stay in the UK. They will have been granted official ‘refugee’ status and have a letter from the UK Home Office to confirm this.
Someone with humanitarian protection has permission to stay in the UK for humanitarian reasons and will have a letter from the UK Home Office to confirm this.
Full details about refugee and humanitarian protection statuses are available on the UK Visas and Immigration website.
If you have been awarded official refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK, you are typically considered a ‘home’ student and eligible for student finance and tuition fees.
You may have been awarded a temporary immigration status that could change during your application or studies. This can include:
For a full list, check the UKCISA website.
People with limited or discretionary leave to remain are usually considered as ‘overseas’ students and not eligible for student finance. They are also charged the higher tuition fee for overseas students.
However, some universities and colleges may use their discretion to charge those with an insecure status the equivalent of 'home' fees, or you may be able to access a scholarship or support from a charitable organisation.
Those who have been a UK resident since being awarded indefinite leave to remain as a bereaved partner are usually eligible for student finance without the requirement for three years ordinary UK residency.
In Scotland: Students with limited leave to remain who meet the eligibility criteria are classed as ‘home’ students in Scotland, and eligible for financial support. Find out more on the SAAS website.
We recommend you check your specific immigration status on the UK Visas and Immigration website.
An asylum seeker is someone who has applied for refugee status and is currently awaiting a decision from the UK Home Office.
Asylum seekers are not usually eligible for student finance. However, some universities and colleges may may use their discretion to charge those with an insecure status the equivalent of 'home' fees, or offer a scholarship.
There are also charitable organisations who provide support for asylum seekers to access higher education – find out more on the Displaced Students Opportunities UK website or read the ‘Need more support’ section below .
If you are granted refugee status after application, you may be eligible to apply for student finance.
In Scotland: Children of asylum seekers who meet the eligibility criteria are classed as ‘home’ students in Scotland. Find out more on the SAAS website.
An ‘Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Child’ (UASC) is someone who has arrived in the UK under the age of 18 who is applying for asylum in the UK without a parent or guardian.
You might:
If this sounds like you, it is important to let the university or college know. There is additional support to help those who have been in care to access and succeed in higher education, including help with funding and accommodation. You can share your care background on the UCAS application, in the ‘Diversity and inclusion’ section. Read UCAS’ guide to applying to higher education if you have been in care
If your status changes during the UCAS application, it can be confusing, especially regarding the tuition fee status and eligibility for student finance. Let the university or college know immediately so they can give you the right advice. Don’t wait until the course begins or you may experience difficulties.
This will depend on your individual circumstances, such as the length of time you have been in the UK. Speak to your university or college – they will be able to offer the best advice.
If you have applied for a scholarship or bursary, you should also contact the provider about any changes so they can give you the right advice on your next steps. We strongly advise you do not give notice on your current accommodation before you know for certain that you will be able to start your course and have somewhere to live.
In Scotland: Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children who meet the eligibility criteria are classed as ‘home’ students in Scotland. Find out more on the SAAS website.
Find out more about the different stages of a young person’s asylum journey in this helpful guide.
If you are age 17 or under: When you turn 18, your status may change – see the section on Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) above for more details. If this happens, you must tell the university or college immediately because it might affect your tuition fee status and eligibility for student finance.
You can share information about being a displaced student in your UCAS application. In the ‘More about you’ section, you will see the following question:
Do you have official refugee status or limited leave to remain, or are you seeking asylum?
Select the status that most closely represents your circumstances. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t exactly match your status because the university or college will contact you if they need more information.
This question helps universities and colleges identify applicants who may benefit from support. They may contact you to discuss your circumstances or send more information about the support they offer to displaced students.
You can share any other circumstances or support needs you may have in the application. This helps universities and colleges to make sure you are supported in the right way. This might include:
Read all about support for a range of individual needs in higher education.
This information is treated sensitively and only shared with those responsible for arranging support and helping you with your application (e.g. the student support team).
The university may get in touch to discuss how they can support you, but we always recommend you contact them directly before you make your final choices. Not all universities offer the same type and level of support; for example, some may have no provision to support students who are seeking asylum. To make sure you make the right choices for you, research your options thoroughly to ensure you can access the support you need.
You are always in control of the support you receive when you share your circumstances. If you decide you don’t need to use the support offered, you can choose not to accept it. If you change your mind later on, or if your circumstances change, it’s ready for you.
Find out more about sharing a displaced status in the UCAS application on our FAQs page.
When universities consider your achievements, it helps them to know if you've faced any particular circumstances or challenges that may have impacted your education or results – such as being a refugee or asylum seeker. By looking at your achievements in context, they may adjust their usual offer to give you a fair chance to access your chosen course.
Some students wonder if they should mention their experience of displacement in the personal statement. This is a personal decision and you should only discuss it if it's relevant to your application, for example if it has influenced your choice of course or career. We've worked with Student Action for Refugees (STAR) and their group of Equal Access Activists to help you use the personal statement to identify your key strengths and transferable skills as you apply to university or college.
This blog article by Refugee Education UK, features the case study of Aarash - an asylum seeker student.
Read more about scholarships for displaced students in this blog by STAR Network.
If your education has been disrupted, you may have gaps in your knowledge or skills, and some students who have been displaced are unable to evidence the qualifications they have already taken. If you are unsure how this may affect your application, it is best to speak to the admissions team at the university or college before making your application – they will tell you if you need to take additional exams or an access course. In some cases, they may suggest a foundation degree to help you prepare for an undergraduate degree.
Many universities and colleges also offer workshops and study skills support throughout the year, and sometimes you can attend summer schools or take online courses to prepare for higher education study. The student support team will be able to tell you more about what’s on offer.
You can find details of support opportunities on the Displaced Student Opportunities Portal but check with the university or college directly.
In the UK, a disability includes learning differences (e.g. dyslexia), mental health conditions and long-term illnesses, as well as physical and sensory disabilities. You may not identify as ‘disabled’ but it's important to know there is a wide range of support to help you during your studies. If you do not have a diagnosis but suspect you have a disability, it is worth speaking to the student support team.
You can share a disability or condition in the UCAS application – this helps the university or college know who may benefit from more information about support services.
Read the UCAS guide for disabled students.
Whether you have a specific mental health condition, or just need some help through difficult periods, most universities have a mental health and wellbeing team or mental health adviser, who can tell you more about the resources and service they have. There is no need to worry they will judge you or treat you differently as these are trained specialists who will help you find the support you need. The services and support they offer are confidential and you will always be in control of what support you choose to accept.
As a displaced student, you may have experienced some very challenging situations or be struggling to settle into life in a different country or culture. Universities and colleges are ready to offer support and know you might need a bit of extra support from time to time.
You can share a mental health condition or challenge on the UCAS application and you don’t need to have a diagnosis. It’s a good way to let the university know you might need some support – and they will be happy to let you know what’s available.
Read the UCAS guide to mental health and wellbeing support in higher education.
If you’re worried about how you will meet new people and settle in, you’re not alone – lots of students feel this way at first. However, it might feel more overwhelming if you are new to the UK and trying to navigate a different culture and education system – and sometimes a new language.
Look out for clubs and societies where you can meet new people with similar interests – the students’ union is a good place to find this information. In some universities and colleges, you may find a STAR (Student Action for Refugees) group – find a group on the STAR website.
Before you start your course, check if there is a mentoring or ‘buddy’ scheme where you are matched with a current student who can help you understand how things work and show you around. Sometimes there are groups and forums, such as Facebook groups where new students can join and meet other new students before they start their course.
To study at undergraduate level in the UK, you need to demonstrate proficiency in English language to study. This usually means you need to have passed GCSE English language (usually grade 4 or above) or an alternative English language qualification. The university or college will be able to advise on what they will accept.
Refugees can access free IELTS tests to help access higher education. Visit the IELTS website and contact them for more information.
If you need further information or advice about higher education study as a refugee or asylum seeker, the following organisations can help: