Refugees and asylum seekers to be offered help by University of Reading
The university relaunches a scholarship scheme to offer 'hope and hospitality' to those in need
Asylum seekers and refugees are to be offered help from a relaunched scholarship scheme from the University of Reading aimed at those hoping to start or continue their education in the UK.
The Sanctuary Scholarships Scheme has been introduced for sanctuary seekers (people with refugee, humanitarian protected or asylum seeker status) in recognition of the disruption to education that displaced people experience.
The Sanctuary Scholarships Scheme will offer up to 12 awards each year, providing opportunities for those taking pre-sessional, undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Paul Inman, Pro-Vice Chancellor (International) at the University of Reading, said:
“We have a broad and diverse community of staff and students here at the University of Reading. We value the rich contribution those seeking sanctuary can make to our institution and life in Reading more generally.
“The Sanctuary Scholarships Scheme will make it easier for those people who have sadly had to flee their home country to access education and build a better life for themselves here in the UK. We look forward to welcoming our scholarship students to campus later this year.”
The awards include:
5 fee waivers covering the tuition fees for the University’s 11-week English language programme (starting in June each year) for local applicants - £4,345 in 2021
4 bursary awards of £5,000 for each year of study for new applicants with refugee or humanitarian protection status to undergraduate courses
1 bursary award of £10,000 (pro rata for part-time students) for new applicants with refugee or humanitarian protection status to postgraduate taught courses
1 scholarship comprising of fee waivers and a bursary of £14,200 for each year of study for new applicants with asylum seeker status to undergraduate courses
1 scholarship comprising of fee waivers and a bursary of £14,200 (pro rata for part-time students) for new applicants with asylum seeker status to postgraduate taught courses
Applications for eligible students are now open and the deadlines for these are as follows:
Pre-sessional English awards (June 2021 entry): 6 May 2021
Undergraduate or postgraduate taught awards (September 2021 entry): 4 July 2021
City of Sanctuary
The Sanctuary Scholarship Scheme is part of the University’s wider commitment to supporting the City of Sanctuary initiative. The University has recently signed the national organisational pledge to City of Sanctuary for the first time and has also renewed its pledge to Reading City of Sanctuary.
Inman continued: “By renewing our Reading City of Sanctuary pledge, and signing the national pledge, we are demonstrating our support for the ‘City of Sanctuary’ vision that the UK should be a welcoming place of safety for all those fleeing violence and persecution.
“As an institution, we want to take this a step further and we are currently working towards achieving the University of Sanctuary Award, which would show a clear commitment to the welcome and inclusion of sanctuary seekers at the University of Reading.”