We offer a variety of support for students who are asylum seekers.
As an asylum seeker, you will be classified as an international student and your starting fee will be that of an international student.
You may be eligible for a reduction in fees known as the Tuition Fee Waiver and every year, two successful applicants will receive the Opportunity Award. There is also funding support available from outside the university.
Not yet ready for university? We offer courses and support if you are not yet ready for university-level study
Find out about funding for postgraduate study
Tuition fee waiver
Opportunity Award
We know that asylum seekers and the children of asylum seekers are often unable to access mainstream UK student funding.
Our Opportunity Award covers the cost of tuition fees and provides a non-repayable grant of £4,000 per year to support living costs. Each year the award is given to two undergraduate students holding an unconditional or conditional offer to study at Cardiff University. We accept applications from those who are either asylum seekers or children of asylum seekers.
Please note that students studying Healthcare Sciences, Dentistry or Medicine are not eligible for this award. NHS courses are also not covered by the Opportunity Award but you can apply to the Schwab Westheimer Trust for support.
Financial support from outside the university
Postgraduate funding support
The Tuition Fee waiver and the Opportunity Award, are both only available to undergraduate students. There is a scholarship supported by the Marks Family Charitable Trust which is open to asylum seekers embarking on a postgraduate degree programme. You must be able to demonstrate how your chosen degree will make a valuable contribution to society. Only exceptional candidates with proven academic excellence will be considered. The scholarship covers ‘home’ tuition fees (up to £9,500 per year). Applicants will need to demonstrate that they can cover their living costs whilst at university.
Other institutions might be able to provide more support for postgraduate study. STAR (Student Action for Refugees) provides a list of higher education institutions that offer support for asylum seekers including for postgraduate students.
Find out more about our funding options for postgraduate study.
Not ready for university-level study
If you are not yet ready for university-level study, have a look at the support available from Cardiff University’s Widening Participation team. They offer free, Level 3 accredited community courses across Cardiff, in partnership with First Campus and the Continuing and Professional Education department. Contact them to find out more:
Outreach
The Continuing and Professional Development team also offer standalone Level 4 and Level 5 courses, as well as Pathways to a Degree.
Specialist advice
Lena Smith is our dedicated member of staff for students with an asylum-seeking status and will be your first point of contact. Lena can help you with:
- Support with academic related issues including liaising with your academic department and course tutor.
- Signposting to other Cardiff University services including help to apply for Student Finance if you become eligible during your studies.
- Referral to trauma specialised counsellor.
- Referrals to charities and other potential sources of funding.
- Simply just someone to talk to if you need to.
You can contact Lena through Student Connect.