Information about studying at Cambridge as a refugee (official status or not)
This page is written by Anki Deo, Co-President of the Cambridge Refugee Scholarship Campaign (October 2019).
Coming to Cambridge as a person from a background of instability and conflict can seem unrealistic and scary, but be reassured that there are plenty of organisations both inside and outside Cambridge rooting for your success!
The Rowan Williams Cambridge Studentships π π are full-cost scholarships for either undergraduate or postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge. They are specifically provided for students who face severe barriers in coming to the university.
Please not that the criteria for eligibility for the studentship are not strict: you DO NOT need to have official refugee or asylum seeker status to be considered for the scholarship. To be eligible, applicants (undergraduate or graduate) need to:
(1) Hold a conditional offer of admission to the University of Cambridge for any degree
(2) be from an area of instability or zone of conflict
(3) be, or have been, at risk of discrimination, persecution, suffering, violence or other abuse of their human rights.
For more information about applying to the Rowan Williams Cambridge Studentships check out the Cambridge Refugee Scholarship Campaign website π and get in touch with them via Facebook or email. There is a team of people dedicated to helping answer your application questions.
Project Access for Refugees π π β Access organisation matching refugees to student mentors who guide them through the application process
UCAS Student Finance for Refugees and Asylum Seekers π π β information about funding UK degrees
UCAS guides π on applying to study in the UK written in different languages, including Arabic
Cambridge Refugee Scholarship Campaign website π π - A campaign dedicated to helping answer any and all of your application questions
Refugee Support Network Access to Higher Education π β information and guidance for undergraduate applicants from a refugee background
Article 26 π β a project by the Helena Kennedy human rights charity with information about bursaries for access to higher education for those who have fled persecution
Coram Childrenβs Legal Centre π β website providing free legal information and advice to children, families and carers. Can be helpful if you are unsure about your immigration status.
UK Council for International Student Affairs π - information and advice about student visas, coming to study in the UK from abroad including culture shock and advice on settling into life in the UK
University of Cambridge visa information π - for international students, links to other useful websites for obtaining visas for study
Mattβs story π - video of a PhD student from a refugee background talking about his experience at Cambridge
Abdullahβs Story π β YouTube video of a Syrian refugee who earned a place to study Natural Sciences at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
Cambridge University Students Union alternative prospectus π β Information about Cambridge University written by students
Did you spot a typo or formatting issue? Let us know by emailing us at [email protected].