Tuition fee status
If you hold UK asylum seeker status the University will charge the Home level of tuition fees instead of the Overseas fee level.
Undergraduates
If you become an undergraduate student and you have refugee status, humanitarian protection or granted leave under the Ukraine Schemes, you will be offered the same means-tested support we offer other financially vulnerable groups. This includes:
- a guaranteed place in University accommodation for 365 days a year for the duration of your course. This includes the vacation periods and if you need to return for short periods between private housing contracts.
- a non-repayable bursary of £1000 per academic year plus £1000 to help with start-up costs and a further £1000 on graduation (a maximum of £7,000 over a 5-year programme including a placement year). Terms and Conditions apply.
- means-tested bursaries and scholarships including the Gold Scholarship programme, the Bath Bursary and Income Related Scholarships, subject to eligibility criteria being met. One of the Gold Scholarships awarded each year will be reserved for a refugee applicant.
You may be eligible to apply at any point during your course. Please refer to the UKCISA page for further details on the various categories mentioned above.
Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship
If you are an asylum seeker living in the UK, you may be eligible for this scholarship to cover your fees and a bursary of up to £5000 per year.
Postgraduates
If you are applying to become a postgraduate taught student and you have Refugee or Humanitarian Protection status you will be eligible for the same support as is provided to Home postgraduate taught students. That is access to government loans and to other University and external funding opportunities, subject to eligibility criteria being met.
If you are an Asylum Seeker in the UK and applying for a postgraduate taught programme, you can apply for a Sanctuary Scholarship which provides a fee waiver covering the full cost of tuition fees, and a bursary towards living costs. Sanctuary Scholarships are limited each year and there is no guarantee you will be made an award.
We also have a limited number of free Duolingo English language tests available for postgraduate taught and research offer holders who hold one of these statuses.
If you are applying for a PhD at Bath, please research the different funding opportunities.
Who to contact for help and advice
For more information on all the above and other help and advice please contact Imroze Sahota or Joanna Newman in Student Support. If you are a refugee, asylum seeker, have humanitarian protection and/or Discretionary Leave to Remain, Imroze or Joanna will provide personal support throughout your programme and ensure you are aware of the support offered across the University such as from the Skills Centre and Careers Service. They can be contacted by phone or email or if you are a current student you can book an appointment online via MySkills.
University and Refugees booklet
University of Sanctuary
The University of Bath supports the principles and aims of the City of Sanctuary network. We have a University of Sanctuary Award, which recognises the work that we have done to make our university one that is welcoming and accessible to forced migrants who have sought sanctuary in the UK. Read more about Sanctuary at Bath.
Further resources
Student Action for Refugees (STAR) is a national charity of 26,000 students welcoming refugees to the UK. They volunteer at local refugee projects, campaign to improve the lives of refugees and educate people about refugees and asylum. If you are a current student at the University of Bath then you can join the Bath STAR group. Find out more information via the Students’ Union.
Bath Welcomes Refugees is a charity for refugees and asylum seekers. They provide help with resettlement into the UK including English language classes and interpreters, benefits and budgeting advice, assistance with transport and a monthly social gathering.
The Bristol Refugee Rights Welcome Centre is a support service and social space for asylum seekers as well as new refugees. They provide help with legal matters and the UK asylum process, health and housing advice, English language classes, and interpreters.
Refugee Education UK is a national charity which helps young refugees, asylum seekers and survivors of trafficking. It offers information and advice in accessing higher education.
The Schwab & Westheimer Trust is a national charity which provides financial assistance towards education for asylum seekers and refugees. This includes scholarships for young asylum seekers to pursue higher education in health and social care, medicine, nursing or other health related professions.
Article 26 promotes access to Higher Education for people who have fled persecution and sought asylum in the UK.
The We Belong organisation provides advocacy, support and assistance to young migrants in the UK, including advice on eligibility for student funding.
RefuAid is a charity that support access to language tuition, education, finance and meaningful employment for forced migrants.
Trauma Foundation South West provide free psychotherapy and support for those that have suffered through torture, oppression and war.
Refugees at Home is a UK charity which connects those with a spare room in their home to refugees and asylum seekers in need of somewhere to stay.