There are many universities in the UK that offer scholarships for asylum seekers and/or refugees. A list of UK universities currently offering scholarships can be found in our university directory, along with information about eligibility criteria and tips to help you obtain funding. Click on the relevant box below for more information.

Student Action for Refugees (STAR) support students to run the Equal Access Campaign, which asks universities to create scholarships for asylum seekers so that they can join us at university as equals. Get in touch with STAR if you want support in running the campaign at your university. 

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) is an international scholarship programme that provides citizens of developing Commonwealth countries with funding to undertake postgraduate study at UK universities. Applicants must be a Commonwealth citizen, refugee, or British protected person and be permanently resident in a developing Commonwealth country.

Cara (the Council for At-Risk Academics) works in partnership with UK universities to support academics at heightened risk in the most crisis affected regions of the world, offering them temporary sanctuary in the form of PhDs and Post-doctoral placements to support continued academic engagement and development pending their return to their home countries.

The Refugee Survival Trust is a charity that provides grants to asylum claimants and refugees living in Scotland. The grants are available to help refugees in poverty and to help people access education and employment.

The British Red Cross provides short-term emergency support and expert advice on accessing financial support for refugees who are unable to access benefits or Home Office support. This can include help with finding grants for education, training and employment.

The Schwab & Westheimer Trust offers grants to promote and encourage the education of young asylum seekers and refugees. Grants can be up to £2,000 and can be used to help pay for course equipment and materials. The Westheimer Health and Social Care Scholarship helps young asylum seekers pursue higher education in social care, medicine, nursing or related professions by offering a scholarship ranging from £10,000 - £20,000 a year.

Hope for the Young offers grants, living allowances or educational resources for those who have no access to government funds. Funds are available for people aged 16 – 25, up to first university degree level.

Family Action provides educational grants for people over the age of 14 who wish to participate in, or continue with, a programme of further education.

The Carnegie Trust provides Undergraduate Tuition Fee Grants for students who are seeking asylum in the UK who wish to study at a university in Scotland.

The Fund for Human Need provides one-off emergency payments, usually to a maximum of £120, to refugees, asylum seekers or the homeless.

The Ruth Hayman Trust provides small educational grants up to £500 for students who have come to settle in the UK and whose first language is not English.

 

Oasis Cardiff provide free English classes for asylum seekers and refugees daily (Monday through to Friday). They also run IELTS preparation classes and provide advice, guidance, food, activities, courses and more. Email info@oasiscardiff.org or phone 02920 460 424 for more information.

The English Language Training Services (ELTS) at Swansea University offers free English classes to refugees who have arrived in Swansea, fleeing war and persecution in their home countries. The courses offered are low-level English classes for people who may not be able to access fee-paying courses.

The Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre offers classes teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). The ESOL programme is run by volunteers and is free of charge to all learners, including new arrivals and people who have been in Coventry for a while.

The Welsh Refugee Council provides interactive teaching sessions to asylum seekers and refugees at beginners to advanced level in Wales. This includes ESOL classes and pathways to employment and education.

Aim Higher: Access to Higher Education for Refugees and Asylum Seekers is a free online course that helps refugees and asylum seekers get the information and support they need to apply to and reach university in the UK.

Life in the UK Tests and Life in the UK Test Web are two free websites that help you to prepare and practise answering questions for the test required for British citizenship.

Trinity College London provides information about the Secure English Language Test (SELT) that must be passed when applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (to settle) or British Citizenship.

Central England Law Centre and Warwick Law in the Community have put together a new toolkit to help students with humanitarian protection access home fees and student finance.

The Refugee Council is a UK charity that offers help and advice to refugees in the UK. If you live in London you can make an appointment for advice. This service is based in Stratford, East London. You can make an appointment or get more help and advice by emailing refugeeadvice@refugeecouncil.org.uk or by telephoning 020 7346 1166.

The Welsh Refugee Council provides advice and guidance for refugees living in Wales.

The Scottish Refugee Council provides advice and guidance for refugees living in Scotland.

The ACAA is a charity that works to integrate immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers into western society. It provides ESOL classes across London and free Legal Advice, specialising in Immigration, Family and Property Law.  

Refugee Action is a UK charity that offers help and advice to refugees, including help with the asylum process, finding housing, poverty and homelessness. You can telephone 0207 952 1511 or email info@refugee-action.org.uk.

Refugee Education UK is a charity that helps young refugees, asylum seekers and survivors of trafficking to build more hopeful futures through education.

Asylum Aid works to secure protection for people seeking refuge in the UK from persecution and human rights abuses abroad. You can obtain help and advice by telephoning 020 7354 9264 or by emailing info@asylumaid.org.uk.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Portal for Refugees & Asylum Seekers has been set up by members of staff at the University of East London (UEL). It is a health and wellbeing portal aimed at providing refugees, asylum seekers, social care professionals and others with easy access to practical tools and resources.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) is the UK's national advisory body serving the interests of international students and those who work with them. Information and guidance is available for international students, refugees and migrants.

The Refugee Assessment and Guidance Unit (RAGU) offers support to refugees and asylum-seekers with higher level education and/or professional health qualifications, helping them into education and employment.

Breaking Barriers is a charity based in East London that supports refugees to find meaningful education and employment.

Paiwand is a non-profit charity organisation run by and for the refugee community. This is a charity and community organisation in North West London, originally known as Afghan Association Paiwand Ltd. For the last 20 years, they have helped refugees, asylum seekers and migrants to build their lives in the UK. The email address is info@paiwand.com and the telephone hotline number is 0208 905 8770