Article 26 - Supporting Students Seeking Sanctuary

Over the past 5 years HKF has become more aware of the challenges facing students seeking sanctuary (we prefer to use the term ‘sanctuary’ rather than ‘asylum’ to avoid the negative connotations of the term ‘asylum seekers’) in accessing higher education. Some of our most inspiring students have been those that have fled the most appalling circumstances in their country of origin to seek sanctuary in the UK. These students have seized every opportunity to transform their lives through education.

Article 26 of the Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to education and specifies that higher education should be equally accessible on the basis of merit.  Our Article 26 Project works with universities to negotiate tuition fee bursaries for those that have no access to student support through grants and loans. We provide financial support for books and travel costs, as well as specialist support, advice & guidance.

Article 26 Awards

Here is your 4 step guide to the Article 26 awards process. Work your way through the 4 steps to find out if you’re:

i)A potential Article 26 student

ii)If you would like to study at one of the universities we work with AND

iii)Understand the support package Article 26 offers to students

iv)Last but probably most important . . .  how to apply.

Good luck – any questions get in touch!

ELIGIBILITY

Article 26 students are either:

• An asylum-seeker, or the partner / dependent of an asylum-seeker; or
• A person or the partner / dependent of someone of someone who sought asylum in the UK and has been granted temporary status, e.g. DLR (discretionary leave to remain) awarded on the basis of a claim for asylum.

You also need to meet ALL these requirements:

• You must NOT be entitled to mainstream funding e.g student finance or a local authority grant
• You must meet the entry requirements for the university, including their English language criteria
• You must be attending a school, college or community group who can provide you with a reference for Article 26
• You must be able to provide evidence of your immigration status in the UK and be prepared to undergo an assessment of your personal circumstances and suitability to undertake a degree programme
• You must be able demonstrate how you will be accommodated whilst you are a student. Article 26 does NOT fund accommodation or living costs

PARTICIPATING UNIVERSITIES

In 2012, Article 26 will be supporting students to study on an undergraduate degree programme of their choice at the following universities:

• Canterbury Christ Church University
• Chester University
• Cumbria University
• Manchester University
• Newman University College, Birmingham
• Salford University
• St Marys University College, Twickenham
• Winchester University

Keep your eye on the list. We hope to add more places!

SUPPORT PACKAGE

• A tuition fee bursary to cover the full cost of your fees. Until your application for asylum in the UK is resolved AND you can access student finance.
• A Personal Support Plan to enable you to identify and overcome barriers to achievement on your degree programme.
• Membership of the Article 26 student network. Annual group conference where you will spend time with your fellow students and receive training on topics such as ‘Minimising the impact of the Asylum Process on your higher education course’.
• Further training & mentoring provided by the Helena Kennedy Foundation – which has 13 years’ experience of supporting students.  Examples of training sessions include confidence building, interview skills, revision techniques, stress management and public speaking.
• A small grant, if needed, to help with travel and study costs.

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION

Before applying to Article 26 you must have done the following:

• Submitted a UCAS application form and;
• Received a conditional OR unconditional offer at a participating university

NB. Being made an offer by a participating university does not guarantee being offered an Article 26 award.

What next?

Contact Rebecca Murray at article26@hkf.org.uk and we’ll send you an Article 26 application form.

We MUST have a record of issuing you with a form in order to accept your application.

All Article 26 students must attend an interview at the university at which they wish to study.

30^th March 2012 is the deadline for all completed application forms.