In January 2025, following a lot of hard work behind the scenes from colleagues across our university community, we were informed that the University had successfully achieved University of Sanctuary reaccreditation.

University of Sanctuary is a national network of university staff, lecturers, academics and students working to make Higher Education institutions places of safety, solidarity and empowerment for people seeking sanctuary. We first achieved the Sanctuary award in 2020 in recognition of our initiatives, actions and efforts to welcome refugees and asylum seekers.

Feedback from our latest application commended our action plan which highlights a range of activities that we are currently working on to further improve our support in this area.

This includes:

  • developing stronger links with local community activity that is supporting displaced people living in our city and region;
  • working with other Universities of Sanctuary particularly within the GW4 network;
  • increasing financial support for Sanctuary scholarships;
  • continuing to support the CARA initiative;
  • continuing to provide taught units that address the issues of displaced people;
  • developing outreach activities that can support potential sanctuary students or displaced people living in our city and region.

We would like to say a huge thank you to all colleagues who were involved in the reaccreditation process.

Professor Jane White, Vice President (Community & Inclusion) and Chair of Sanctuary committee said:

Receiving confirmation that the University of Bath has been reaccredited as a University of Sanctuary was an occasion of mixed emotions. I am very proud of all that our university community does to support displaced people. But, of course, the reason that we are a University of Sanctuary is linked to the very sobering reality of challenges around the world. What is remarkable though is the fortitude and commitment of everyone that is involved in our Sanctuary work, and for that I am really grateful as it makes our university community all the better and all the stronger for everyone.

Updates on our current support and upcoming activities

The University is currently supporting two Sanctuary scholars and, in partnership with Cara (the Council for At-Risk Academics), two Cara Fellows—two promising female academics from Afghanistan and Sudan. Both Cara scholars are engaged in research aimed at improving conditions in their home countries and enhancing the UK's capacity to engage with these regions. Additionally, the University has committed to funding a third Cara Fellow, in response to the crisis in Gaza, and is in the process of identifying a suitable candidate from the region.

We're also excited to announce that we are able to offer an accommodation fee waiver for our Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship, which should help us to recruit Sanctuary students from all over the country. Previously, scholars were not supported with this cost which meant that we were restricted to recruiting students living within commuting distance. Thanks to our colleagues in Residence Life and Campus Services who made this possible.

Responding to the needs of our student Sanctuary community, the Advancement Office is creating an Emergency Sanctuary Fund. Managed through the Student Financial Support Fund, there will now be specific funds available to our refugee and asylum seeking students. The SU Amnesty and STAR groups are currently fundraising to support this initiative.

If you would like to support the University's Sanctuary work, please contact Beth Howson, Head of Philanthropy (Student Support).

Lastly, we are currently working on plans for Refugee Week 2025 which takes place from Monday 16th to Friday 20th June. We are working on a range of activities and events, so watch this space.