Access to Higher Education for Young Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Linking Social Inclusion in the UK and International Development for Peace

Who are we? Our vision: “To resource, enable and work with refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants in London and the wider world, equipping them through education to better face multiple possible futures”. Education and Training for conflict and crisis affected youth Local Engagement Policy and Research

Access to HE for refugee and asylum seeking youth RSN’s 2010 pilot project Individual level – collective level – policy level a missed opportunity for individuals, the UK and conflict-affect countries Widening participation and social inclusion International development policy Asylum Seeking young people in the UK

Widening Participation and Social Cohesion HEFCE’s WP aim: “to promote and provide the opportunity of successful participation in higher education to everyone who can benefit from it. This is vital for social justice and economic competitiveness.” Positive Initiatives: Aimhigher, the Office for Fair Access, the HESA indicators Positive Results (Corver 2010):  Young people today 20% more likely to access HE  1 in 2 in most advantaged areas, 1 in 5 in least advantaged (30% increase in last 5 years)  Majority of additional entrants from disadvantaged areas

Left on the edge: refugee and asylum seeking young people Aspirational barriers International fees for asylum seekers Home fees but no student support for unaccompanied minors with Discretionary Leave to Remain Effect of new home fee rates Documentation – eligible but unable to prove Confusion – young people and professionals

Why are these young people in this situation? Lack of targeted policy Previous and current campaigns: Brighter Futures, Equal Access View that it is not economically viable to support young people who may not remain in the UK “We have no plans to make such changes to our provision in England…The priority for taxpayer funding has to be for people who remain in England long term” (Rammell in Cairns, 2007)

International development policy – joining the dots Who are these young people and where are they potentially going back to?  Afghanistan  Iraq  Iran  Eritrea  Vietnam (UKBA, 2011)

International development policy – joining the dots DFID Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (includes Nigeria and Pakistan) Development Partnerships in Higher Education Programme - £3 million a year Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Iraq, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe..

The future: practise and policy Culture change - preparing young asylum seekers for multiple possible futures, to make a positive contribution wherever they are Policy change – fee waiver and bursaries (Article 26, Equal Access, CARA, Refugee Council etc) Practice change – launch of new RSN 3 year funded programme for London based refugee and asylum seeking young people

Thank you for listening! This is a new research area: please feel free to get in touch with any questions or suggestions