Displaced students

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.

Student finance for those with refugee or humanitarian protection status

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:

• Limited leave to remain (LLR) or Discretionary leave to remain (DLR) gives someone permission to stay temporarily in the UK, and they will have a letter from the UK Home Office to confirm this.
• Ukrainian students studying in the UK who are granted leave under the Ukraine Family Scheme, the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, or the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme will be eligible for home fee status if they also meet specific residency criteria. Find out more about support for Ukrainian students in the UK.

For a full list, check the UKCISA website.

Student finance for those with temporary immigration statuses

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.

What this status means for student finance

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:

• be waiting for a decision on your asylum claim
• have been granted refugee status
• have been granted temporary UASC leave until age 17.5 if your asylum claim was refused

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.

What this status means for student finance

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.

The Right to Remain Young Asylum Guide

Find out more about the different stages of a young person’s asylum journey in this helpful guide.

If your immigration status changes

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. 

We ask about your nationality (or dual nationality where relevant). If you are a refugee or have settled or pre-settled status, you can also indicate this here. Where relevant, you will also be asked to share information about visas.

We ask for your current home address, and any previous addresses for the past three years. You will also be asked to confirm your ‘residential category’ – this includes statuses such as refugee, Settled in the UK, and humanitarian protection. If your status is not listed, select ‘Other’.

You can enter the school, college or university where you are studying, or have studied in the past. If your place of education is not listed, you can enter it as free text and provide the address. Once you have saved this, you can add the details of the qualifications you took there. If you cannot provide evidence of achieved qualifications or you left a course before completion, we strongly recommend talking to the university or college before making your application.

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. 

Read the personal statement guide for students who are refugees, asylum seekers or have limited leave to remain.

With your permission, your reference can discuss your displacement. For example, they can explain how this has impacted your educational journey or exam results, or any other challenges you have experienced.

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.