The University of Bath has announced a new Sanctuary Scholarship scheme that will waive tuition fees, enabling undergraduate asylum seekers to study in Bath for free.
Photo © University of Bath
Following a crowdfunding campaign led by staff and students, the scholarship will also provide a £5,000 bursary towards their study costs.
The University of Bath was designated a University of Sanctuary in 2020, in recognition of its support for refugee students, at both undergraduate and post-graduate level.
This includes year-round accommodation and a dedicated team in Student Services who provide 1 to 1 support, advice, and signposting, from pre-application all the way to graduation.
Asylum-seeking students have been offered ‘home’ fee status at Bath for some time, and there are also a number of specific funding packages aimed at students from forced migration backgrounds, including post-graduate sanctuary scholarships, a dedicated bursary, and a ring-fenced place on the University’s flagship Gold Scholarship programme each year for an undergraduate refugee student.
In addition to supporting all refugee and asylum-seeking students whilst studying at Bath, the University has worked closely with current students and charity partners, to develop a set of resources for those from forced migration backgrounds considering studying at Bath.
It has launched an E-mentoring scheme where prospective students who have experience of forced migration can talk to a current or former student who has been through a similar experience before coming to study at Bath.
The University’s Student Experience webpages also provide an insight into life at the University and tell the stories of some of its students, helping those considering studying at Bath.
Mohammad, a previous Post-Graduate Sanctuary Scholar at Bath, is now using his experience to support potential future students.
He said: “I am currently working in a pathology department at an NHS hospital as a medical laboratory assistant.
“We process thousands of samples in our department each week which are essential for diagnosis of illnesses and monitoring patients’ health.
“The sanctuary scholarship gave me a chance to study at university and gain some laboratory experience, which helped me to be selected for this role.
“I didn’t have any other options to improve my career prospects, as I was not allowed to work and did not have access to a student loan.
“The sanctuary scholarship helped me continue my education and follow my dreams of becoming a scientist, otherwise I would have been left far behind and would probably come to a situation when it was impossible for me to achieve my goals.
“The scholarship helped me feel accepted into society and motivates me to work hard and contribute to improving people’s lives.”
Professor Cassie Wilson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience), said: “We are really delighted by the passion of our students and staff to support this new scholarship.
“We know that for some students, who have faced the most challenging of circumstances, a safe and welcoming place to study can offer them the opportunity to change the direction of their lives and pursue their dreams.
“I am incredibly proud of our University of Sanctuary status, and of this continued investment in supporting those seeking refuge in the UK.”
