Education, training and employment for refugees and asylum seekers

University education is not free in the UK. If you have refugee status you are eligible for home fee status for tuition fees and to apply for student loans to help with tuition fees and living costs. If you have Humanitarian Protection status, you will need to live in the UK for three-years prior to your application to qualify for home fee status and to be eligible to apply for student loans.

Each course will have its own entry requirements. Universities tend to express their entry requirements in a variety of ways. The university’s website will also list the qualifications that you will need to study your chosen course. You can also email or call the admissions team at the university to ask whether your qualifications will be acceptable. If not, you may need to explore doing one of these qualifications at your nearest college before you can apply for university.

If you are claiming asylum you are allowed to study unless you have a “no study” bail condition on their Bail 201 letter. You can also study if it is over 6 months since you submitted your asylum claim to the Home Office and no decision has been made.

NOTE: If you are a child (18 and under) or an asylum seeker in care, you can enrol in education at any point and do not need to wait six months.