‘It’s not just opening the doors’: Challenges and possibilities for refugees’ access to higher education

Project Summary

This research explores the barriers and possibilities for refugees wanting to access higher education (HE) in the UK, with a focus on the south-west region. Worldwide, only around 7% of refugees attend university, despite the financial, psychological, social, and career benefits it offers. Recognising these benefits, the UNHCR has set a target of 15% of refugees accessing HE by 2030.

The study draws on interviews with 38 participants from refugee backgrounds, universities, Further Education (FE) colleges, NGOs, and local authorities, addressing HE’s benefits for refugees, the barriers and resources affecting HE access, and the challenges and possibilities for progression.

Findings highlight the intensifying hostile environment for refugees, created by discriminatory immigration policies, alongside rigid academic systems, and resource shortages. At the same time, the research documents the growing extent and expertise of support from universities, NGOs, and other sectors, particularly since the mid-2010s, which provide essential resources to refugees navigating these barriers.

The research identifies several key recommendations for improving HE access for refugees. These include removing asylum-seekers’ work and study limitations, increasing financial support through scholarships and maintenance grants, and providing free digital skills training. Universities, NGOs, and local authorities should collaborate to offer welcoming, refugee-centred, and holistic support, including alternative English language tests, better recognition of non-UK qualifications, and more accessible HE information. Transparent data on refugee admissions and outcomes should also be published to ensure accountability. The study calls for transformative, coordinated action to build an expanded, socially just, and refugee-centred approach to HE access.