ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ

ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ Joins UK Universities to Transform Crisis Response and expand Refugee Inclusion in Higher EducationLink opens in a new window

 The University of ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ has joined forces with a group of ten UK universities and sector organisations to launch the Global Response Platform (GRP), a new, sector-wide approach that will enable higher education institutions to coordinate actions in response to crises affecting students, academics and higher education systems overseas.

The founding universities of the initiative are Cardiff University, Birkbeck College, Abertay University, University of the Arts London, the University of Leeds, the University of London and the University of ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ,  with discussion underway with a further 20 UK universities to join the initiative in the coming months. Universities UK (UUK), the British Council, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and Cormack Consultancy Group – which led the successful Ukraine Twinning initiative –  will be represented as part of an advisory group.

, a UK NGO working on refugee access to higher education across 10 international contexts, will host the coordination of the Global Response Platform’s activities.

ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ is a University of SanctuaryLink opens in a new window

ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ has been recognised as a University of Sanctuary since 2017.

Higher Education Institutions in the UK have a proud and radical tradition of supporting refugees and people in the asylum system.

#The University of Sanctuary award recognises commitment to creating a culture of safety, solidarity, and empowerment for people seeking sanctuary within, and beyond, university campuses.

"As a refugee, I have never felt I am different from the other students here at ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ. I have always been supported by the department and my supervisors and that proves why, among other factors, ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ is among the pioneering universities in the world."

Sanctuary Scholar, Education Studies

"Coming from a war-torn country, accessing world-class research facilities and state-of-the-art laboratories was like a dream coming true for me.Additionally, the caring support network starting from university staff to my personal supervisor has been uncanny. ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ has zero tolerance policy for discrimination of any kind and the fact that it has dedicated funding for refugees speaks out and loud for that."

Sanctuary Scholar, Life Sciences

Scholarships

Sanctuary ScholarshipsLink opens in a new window

Since 2015, ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ has supported students seeking sanctuary in the UK through Sanctuary Scholarships, offering 4 undergraduate, 3 Master’s, and 2 PhD awards annually. Applicants should consult our Sanctuary Scholarships webpages for award details and eligibility criteria for each level of study.

In partnership with the British Council, ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ hosts HESPAL scholars to help develop future academic leaders in Palestinian universities.

We work with the The Amjad and Suha Bseisu Foundation Link opens in a new windowand  to reduce financial barriers for students from the Middle East.

Global ScholarshipsLink opens in a new window

ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ collaborates with governments, embassies, employers, and foundations to support the best and brightest international students from around the world to study at ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ.

Explore UK-wide study options for refugees and asylum-seekers at , hosted by Refugee Education UK, STAR, and Universities of Sanctuary.

Masters in Education Reconstruction

In 2023, an between ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ, the Ukrainian Leadership Academy, and Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science. More recently an MoU with the Ukrainian Catholic University has been signed, and ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ is co-delivering a full Master's in Education Reconstruction in 2025/26 and 2026/27.

In 2025, a new version of the programme hosted 15 Ukrainian veterans: see the articles published by and the department of .

For further reflections from the organisers on the impact and significance of this programme, see the following articles: , , and .

Academics at Risk

The Institute of Advanced ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ (IAS) at the University of ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ, in collaboration with Cara (the Council for At-Risk Academics), the British Academy and other organisations, has been offering to refugee academics for many of years, to support them in preparing for research or academic posts in UK universities. Cara also works with the Doctoral College to offer 2 PhD Scholarships to at risk postgraduate researchers each year.

ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ SU have multiple societies that support refugees, including:

STAR is a national student network that raises awareness of refugee issues, campaigns for refugee rights, and supports refugees through local volunteering.

Amnesty ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ is a student society raising awareness of global human rights issues. Its campaigns focus on women’s and children’s rights, minority rights, refugee rights, and the protection of human dignity, encouraging students to speak out against injustice.