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If you are applying to higher education as a refugee, asylum seeker, or forced migrant with temporary immigration status, the UniCares team offers pastoral support, advice, and signposting from the application stage through to graduation.

We are committed to creating positive opportunities and providing tailored support so you can make the most of your time at university.

City St George’s offers a Sanctuary Scholarship for UK based individuals who, due to their immigration status, are not eligible for Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans from Student Finance England, Wales, Northern Ireland, or SAAS.

We also recognise that students with a background of forced migration, who may also have little or no family support in the UK, can face additional challenges whilst at university and during times of transition. You might encounter challenges such as accessing student finance, or with accommodation, finance, mental health. You may also have had breaks in education and need pre-entry support. Additionally, you may be care-experienced and/or estranged and you could register with UniCares under that status.

It is a relief to know that I will be able to manage my challenges effectively during this uncertain time with the help of UniCares.

– Student with Limited Leave to Remain

I wanted to let you know that I did well this year, and I am certain that it wouldn't have been possible without your support. Your guidance and encouragement have been invaluable to me.

– Estranged, asylum seeking student, City Law School graduate

What does forced displacement or forced migrant mean?

We use 'forced migrant' or ‘displaced’ as umbrella terms for some of the following immigration backgrounds:

  • A refugee is a former asylum-seeking person who has been granted refuge in a country other than their home country. They have been able to prove that if they are returned home, they will be persecuted because of their race, religion, nationality, social group or political opinion.
  • An asylum seeker is someone who has lodged an application for protection on the basis of the Refugee Convention or Article 3 of the ECHR.
  • We also support applicants granted Limited Leave to Remain (LLR) and other forms of temporary protection in the UK such as Discretionary Leave to Remain (DLR) as a result of an asylum application, or for humanitarian reasons.
  • Humanitarian Protection is given to people who face a real risk of serious harm if they returned to their country of origin.

Pre-entry support

City St George's offers pre-entry advice and guidance through the Widening Participation and Outreach team. There are a range of events and activities on offer for students thinking about university, as well as for those who would like more support in preparing them for university.

As a displaced individual or someone with a forced migration background, you are guaranteed access to pre-entry support such as application advice, pre-induction events, Taster Weeks and UniFocus Days. Please email the wpteam@citystgeorges.ac.uk to find out more.

You can also have a look at our admissions, international qualification equivalences and English language requirements: entry requirements.

Find your fee status via UKCISA. Explore eligibility for ‘home’ or ‘overseas’ fees to understand which is applicable to you.

Financial support and scholarships

Scholarships

For current students

Accommodation support

If you are looking for accommodation please refer to our Accommodation and Housing page.

You can contact our Accommodation Advisers or UniCares for further support and advice. We will support you to secure 365-day accommodation where available.

On-course support

By registering with the UniCares programme, you will have access to a Designated Member of Staff to support you throughout your time at City St George's by being your first point of contact. You may also access an extensive array of support services for which you will be prioritised. Some support may be campus-specific for the academic year 2026/27.

  • All displaced students or those with a background of forced migration receive priority access for Student Health and Wellbeing services.
  • All students at City St George’s are allocated a Personal Tutor from their academic faculty to support their personal and professional development.
  • City St George’s offers extensive career support through the Careers and Employability team. This includes 1-2-1 appointments with Careers Consultants, workshops, and an array of different online resources.
  • Access to CourseBuddies peer mentoring: First year undergraduate students with forced migration or displacement backgrounds are prioritised when being paired with a second- or third-year student from the same course (where possible) to help with settling into student life.

Contact Us

Get in touch with the UniCares team by filling out this form. A member of the team will get in touch with you as soon as possible.

Useful external resources

  • Displaced students | UCAS – Comprehensive information finance and funding, making your UCAS application
  • Refugee Education UK (REUK) provides specialist advice for asylum seekers and refugees in relation to accessing Higher Education, including English Language requirements.
  • Student Action for Refugees (STAR) is a national charity of 26,000 students welcoming refugees to the UK. They volunteer at local refugee projects, campaign to improve the lives of refugees and educate people about forcible displacement. They also maintain a list for universities currently offering scholarships for forced migrant students.
  • Find your fee status via UKCISA. Explore eligibility for ‘home’ or ‘overseas’ fees to understand which is applicable to you.
  • We Belong For students who are not asylum seekers or refugees, but who have limited leave/discretionary leave in the UK. We Belong is a migrant led charity campaigning for equal access to higher education for young migrants.
  • Become – Offers support, advice and help to care leavers and young estranged people.
  • Propel – As part of Become, Propel provides useful resources about applying to Higher Education institutions, different courses available and financial support.