Refugee and asylum seekers

The one thing that students talk about the most at the University of Stirling is the sense of community. At Stirling, students from all different backgrounds come together on a beautiful campus and are able to settle in, make new friends and get involved in everything there is to offer.

Refugee or asylum seeking students who engage with our widening access support are those currently living in the UK and have an official Home Office status that is one of the following:

asylum seeker
refugee
humanitarian protection with forced migration background
limited leave to remain with forced migration background
discretionary leave to remain with forced migration

Here at the University of Stirling we provide support to refugee and asylum seeking students who wish to study with us at the University of Stirling.

Our support

Finance

The University of Stirling have a Sanctuary Scholarship for postgraduate, undergraduate and access to degree studies students who are in the UK and have applied for asylum or are staying in the UK as refugees or on humanitarian grounds.

Students may also be eligible for our discretionary and assistance funds.

Accommodation

Students can apply for the Accommodation Enhancement Fund and access a range of support provided by the Accommodation Team for all students.

Mental health and wellbeing

Every student can access our full suite of support from our Student Support Services through the Student Services Hub.

Outreach and transition

There's comprehensive pre-application and transition support including help to choose a course, find the right route into university and how to write a personal statement for your application. For more information email wp@stir.ac.uk.

Find out more

How do I find out about university?

Just get in touch - it’s as easy as that!

Our Student Recruitment Team are happy to advise refugee and asylum seeking students and their supporters. All contact is confidential and impartial and, with your permission, we'll help make the road into university easier. We'll put you in contact with the right people and make sure you get the support you need.

+44 (0) 1786 467046

wp@stir.ac.uk

Come and see what it’s like

We can arrange individual visits for you and a family member, friend, adviser or supporter to let you see the campus, find out more about what we offer, and answer any questions you have. You might want to find out more about a particular subject, get advice about your qualifications or find out what specific support you could receive.

You'll meet with one of the Student Recruitment Team, and if you like you can also book onto one of our campus tours which are led by our Student Ambassadors.

All you have to do is get in touch via email and we'll do the rest.

Open Day / Offer Holder Day

Open Days are a great way to find out more about everything to do with university life. A range of information desks are available where you can speak to University staff, academics, and current students. We have a dedicated information stand manned by our widening participation staff who can help you get the most out of the day.

If you've been made an offer then you'll be invited to an Offer Holder Day. These are really useful for you and your supporters even if you live locally or have visited the University campus before. They give you time to ask staff and students about what it is like to study at Stirling and lets you find out all you need to know about the next steps in the application process.

If you're coming on your own to either of these events, or are unsure of what to do on the day, get in touch once you've registered online and we'll make sure you get the most out of your visit.

What support can I get?

Our friendly and welcoming team are your first point of contact for all kinds of support and they would be happy to talk to you at any time - even before you come to university.

We have a named point of contact for estranged students within the Student Support Services Team who will be able to provide you with a range of support when you start studying with us and help you to access other assistance from across the university. If you are a current University of Stirling student you can get in touch with the team by emailing sssSPOC@stir.ac.uk.

Once you start studying at Stirling, Student Support Services can offer a range of services, including:

Accommodation – university managed accommodation is available both on and off campus, and there are options for a range of needs and budgets.

Finance - you should get in touch with our Money Advisers as soon as possible, even before you come to university. They'll help you to budget, manage your money and let you know about any additional sources of finance you could get.

Accessibility and inclusion support - our advisers offer one-to-one information, support and guidance before you arrive and throughout your time at university to assess what you need and help you to access it.

Personal tutor - personal tutors help students feel part of the university community. They're your first point of contact for everything from academic guidance to personal advice throughout your studies.

STEER - our peer mentoring programme in run by The Students' Union and offers one-to-one support from a current student for your first year of study.

Students’ Union - the Union provides support and guidance on issues ranging from academic to housing to finance; provided by trained staff who are on hand to talk through any issues you may face whilst at university.

Where do I get help?

If you'd like to discuss your options, or talk through what it might be like to come to university, contact our Student Recruitment Team who can provide advice online or, if you would prefer, arrange a visit.

We are also happy to work with advisers and other support workers to provide any information, advice and guidance we can to help you.

Financial support

Depending on your refugee/asylum seeking status, the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) may be able to provide both tuition fee and living costs support. You can find more information on the SAAS website.

The University of Stirling have a Sanctuary Scholarship for taught postgraduate, undergraduate and access to degree studies students who are in the UK and have applied for asylum or are staying in the UK as refugees or on humanitarian grounds.

Students from outside of Scotland should talk to their finance provider in the first instance. Alternatively you could contact our own money advisers who would be happy to help - email sssSPOC@stir.ac.uk.