Studying As an Asylum Seeker In The UK: Is It Possible?

Routes available if you live in London:

• The Bay Tree Centre: Education provided for girls
• DOST: This organisation runs face-to-face activities that include maths, English, and science homework as well as physical activities like football, kickboxing, volleyball, and swimming
• CARAS – ESOL English language skills for young people
• Springboard Youth Academy: ESOL is provided on a seasonal basis to improve English language skills
• Young Roots: one-on-one mentoring online with a focus on improving English skills

Routes available if you live outside of London:

• Refugee Council: Group activities that focus on ESOL and maths on a referral basis, centering on under-18s but also available to under-21s.
• Hope for the Young: Provides education grants and mentoring projects
• The Children’s Society: An online befriending scheme for 14-21 year-olds
• RefuAid: Provides access to tuition for English language skills, finance, and meaningful employment

Taking on some of these opportunities will help improve your application and improve your English skills. Not only will they help for university applications for asylum seekers but they are also a great way to make friends and lead a social life regardless of your background

Overview

As an asylum seeker in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, you will be charged university tuition fees according to the ‘international/overseas’ rate which is more expensive than the domestic rate. However, this is slightly different for Asylum Seekers in Scotland.

It is also important to note that, as an asylum seeker applying to study at a university in the UK, you will not be eligible for the standard student finance loans from the government that domestic applicants have access to. This means you will need to find other methods of paying to study in the UK.

Despite these restrictions, there are still a number of options available that can make a difference if the tuition fees are too expensive for you.

Paying to Study at University in the UK

Studying at university is expensive, especially for those paying as an ‘international/overseas’ student. Specific tuition fees vary depending on the university and the course so it is best to check with admissions offices at the universities you want to apply to.

The location of your university also has an impact on the living costs of studying in the UK. Studying at a London university will come with higher living costs than studying at universities in places like Birmingham or Loughborough, for example. On average, you may need to budget around £1,000 per month for your living costs so it is crucial to understand your costs and budget accordingly.

We recommend that you dedicate some time to figuring out what you will need to spend money on and to budget accordingly. Be realistic with expenses as it is better to budget too much than too little. It is best to start with ‘fixed costs’ like rent and food before thinking about ‘luxury costs’ like money for drinks and clothes.

Scholarships for Asylum Seekers in the UK

We would advise that you explore the sponsorships on offer at each of the universities you want to apply to. Most universities have various scholarships available to applicants including Sanctuary Scholarships, Equal Access Opportunities, and Article 26 Awards, to name a few. The Student Action for Refugees website is a good resource to find out what scholarships each university has available.

It is also a good idea to check charities to see if they offer scholarships or bursaries for asylum seekers who are finding it hard to pay for their courses.

Free Education for Asylum Seekers in the UK

There may also be some opportunities to study for free if you are an asylum seeker applying to study at a UK university. The Refugee Study website has a list of these courses, a directory for scholarships, and the eligibility criteria for each course. Otherwise, use the resources listed above for access to education groups and mentoring opportunities.

Overview

There are four key steps when it comes to applying for asylum in the UK. Most asylum seekers must then wait for 6 months before applying to universities within the UK so it is important to carry out your asylum application as soon as possible.

The four main steps to claim asylum are as follows:

1. To understand your eligibility and explore visa options depending on your reasons for moving to the UK
2. Undergo a screening process with an immigration officer to decide whether the UK can consider your asylum claim
3. An interview with a caseworker where you can explain your story
4. Wait for your decision whilst keeping in contact with your caseworker and notifying authorities if you change any of your circumstances

The Application Process and Key Deadlines

Applications to UK universities are made on an online system called UCAS and all the key dates are tied to it. It is important to make a note of the following deadlines because if you miss them then you will have to wait another year until you can make fresh applications:

• 16th May: UCAS becomes available for the academic year
• 16th October: Early entry deadline for applicants to Oxford and Cambridge, as well as most dentistry, medicine, and veterinary science courses
• 31st January: Entry deadline for all applicants
• 28th February: UCAS Extra opens for any applicants who have not received an offer from their five chosen universities. This allows the applicants to add extra choices one by one until an offer is made
• May: Deadline to choose your first and insurance offers. The exact date can vary
• 30th June: Final date to apply with your choices
• 5th July: Clearing opens and applicants can begin to search for the universities and courses they might like to have as backups before results day
• Results day can vary each year but this is when places are confirmed and clearing is processed

To help alleviate stress, it is best to have researched the universities and courses you would like to apply to before UCAS opens, allowing you to put more effort into your application.

Tips on Writing Your Personal Statement and References

Your personal statement is an opportunity for you to showcase why you deserve a place on the course you are applying for. Here are some ideas to include in your personal statement:

• Whilst qualifications will already be logged on your application you may want to highlight some modules you particularly succeeded in
• Work experience goes a long way on a personal statement as it shows that you have gone beyond the subjects studied at school and thought about how they can be applied outside of an academic setting
• Research the courses you are applying to and read some of the first-year material and say what you think of it to show that you are passionate and committed to the subject
• Hobbies and interests are a good way to show some individuality but keep these brief as you will have a character limit

Remember to keep your personal statement formal and check it over multiple times for any errors. It is also best not to focus too much on particular universities as this may put other universities off so try to strike a healthy balance.

Support from University Admission Offices

Every university has a designated admissions office and their job is to assist applicants with the process of applying to university. Simply go to the university site and navigate to the admissions page to find out how you can get in touch. They will be able to answer any queries you might have when it comes to applying for their courses.