Alternatives to university
I can’t study at university right now, what else can I do?
It can be very sad and frustrating if your plans for university are blocked by barriers relating to your immigration status. However, there are things you can do to make sure that you don’t waste the time and opportunities that you do have. Remember that whatever you do now - whether it is more study, work, volunteering or something different - will all help towards a future university application.
If you are unable to go to university now, you could think of other ways of progressing in your education. For example:
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Free university level online courses
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Aim Higher: an online course designed to help refugees and asylum seekers get the information and the support they need to apply for and enter university in the UK.
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Olive, University of East London: a 10-week introduction to HE course for refugees and asylum seekers in the UK, based in London.
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Compass Project, Birkbeck: funding for up to 20 asylum seekers to study a 1-year course at Birkbeck, University of London.
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Kiron Campus: an online learning platform for refugees worldwide.
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You can always invest in your English: look for local courses, such as free English classes offered by charities or by language colleges. For example, see here or here for free classes in London.
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Look into access courses or other qualifications which are counted as further (not higher) education.
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You could try to look for volunteering opportunities. Check out this government website for ideas, as well as Do It for more local opportunities.
It can be very sad and frustrating if your plans for university are blocked by barriers relating to your immigration status. However, there are things you can do to make sure that you don’t waste the time and opportunities that you do have. Remember that whatever you do now - whether it is more study, work, volunteering or something different - will all help towards a future university application.
If you are unable to go to university now, you could think of other ways of progressing in your education. For example:
-
Free university level online courses.
-
Aim Higher: This is an online course designed to help refugees and asylum seekers get the information and the support they need to apply for and enter university in the UK.
-
Olive, University of East London: This is a 10-week introduction to HE course for refugees and asylum seekers in the UK, based in London.
-
Compass Project, Birkbeck: This provides funding for up to 20 asylum seekers to study a 1-year course at Birkbeck, University of London.
-
Kiron Campus is an online learning platform for refugees worldwide.
-
You can always invest in your English: look for local courses, such as free English classes offered by charities or by language colleges. For example, see here or here for free classes in London.
-
Look into access courses or other qualifications which are counted as further (not higher) education.
-
You could try to look for volunteering opportunities. Check out this government website for ideas, as well as Do It for more local opportunities.
Here's more information
Click here to return to our main Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for more information about higher education
Contact us for advice and guidance
Click here to find out how REUK's Educational Progression team can help you reach university through advice, guidance, workshops and funding opportunities
Training for practitioners
Join our training to understand the barriers to university for refugee and asylum-seeking students and to get the skills and confidence you need to move forward