Equal Access
People seeking asylum do not have the same right to university education as their British born peers. As a student network STAR believes that this is wrong and that we are in a unique position to challenge this injustice.
STAR is campaigning to ensure that asylum seekers have Equal Access to higher education and can join us at university as equals.
Read here about the STAR Network’s Campaign Progress
“Everyone has the right to education… and higher education shall be equally accessible to all…” – Article 26 (1), Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Barriers to higher education
Fees & living costs
Asylum seekers and some refugees are classed as overseas students and must pay fees of up to £20,000 per year instead of the “home fee” rate of £3,225. Asylum seekers cannot afford these fees or living costs because they are not allowed to:
- Apply for student loans
- Apply for grants and most bursaries
- Work in the UK
Admissions policies
Asylum seekers and some refugees do not have permission to reside in the UK for the duration of a university course and therefore fail the admissions tests for many universities
Information and advice
Many refugees and asylum seekers do not have access to good information and support about their rights to education and the application process
Campaign Aims
STAR is calling on the Vice-Chancellors of universities in England and Wales to:
- Accept asylum seekers as home students for fee purposes or offer to remit tuition fees in full
- Provide bursaries and grants each year to asylum seeking students
What your STAR group can do
- Find out about your university’s policy
- Get your Student Union’s support
- Raise awareness among other students
- Write to your Vice-Chancellor
- Meet with your Vice-Chancellor
To find out how, see below for our ‘Step by Step Guide for STAR campaigners’.
Resources
Step by Step Guide for STAR Campaigners
Vice-Chancellors Guide by Brighter Futures
Dealing with difficult questions
Students Union Motion Template
Group materials
Essex STAR campaign poster:
Essex STAR Poster
Campaign News
Oxford STAR pass a motion at OUSU to support STAR’s Equal Access campaign
The fantastic story of Brighter Future’s campaign successes!
Asylum seekers plead for higher education
National press coverage on the issue:
Fees rules hurt refugees
The Scottish Executive are leading the way on Equal Access:
The refugees’ lottery
