Higher Education
Higher Education is used to describe education that is at Level 4 and higher, often at university or college. Higher Education is not compulsory.
There are many routes into Higher Education including Access courses run by individual universities. Access courses can provide nationally recognised level 3 qualifications in order to get into university. They can be completed in a year and you must be 19 or over to take an Access course.
If you already have qualifications completed outside the UK you can see how you can use them to enter Higher Education through ENIC. You can also contact universities for advice.
Applications for a degree or degree apprenticeship usually take place through UCAS. There is a fee for applications, which can be found on the website.
Higher Education is not free.
Refugees in the UK are considered to have home status. For this reason, they have to pay home fees and have access to student finance.
Asylum seekers in the UK are considered to have overseas status. They therefore have to pay the same as international students and have to pay more to access higher education. They also do not have access to student finance. This can also be the case for people with humanitarian protection status and leave to remain.
There are scholarships available at over 70 universities for refugee and asylum-seeking students to allow them to study.
The organisation STAR (Student Action for Refugees) has lots of support explaining where financial support can be accessed for refugees and asylum seekers here. The Displaced Student Opportunity website has a searchable database of support available.
Stages
Level 3: Foundation Year
A Foundation Year can sometimes be taken in a subject when the student does not have the qualifications they need to study an undergraduate degree. This costs the same as a year of an undergraduate degree.
Entry requirements: A grade 4 or 5 in English and Maths GCSE is a minimum, with additional qualifications required depending on course.
Level 6: Bachelors / Undergraduate Degree or Degree Apprenticeship
Undergraduate Degree
A 3 (full time) or 6 (part time) year degree. Achieves a 'Bachelors' (e.g. BA - Bachelor of Arts; BSc - Bachelor of Science) in their subject.
Entry Requirements: Level 3 qualifications at grades which vary between universities and subjects. Grade 4 or 5 in English and Maths GCSE is also a minimum. As an international student, an IELTS or equivalent English language qualification is required.
Degree Apprenticeship
A Degree-level qualification can be gained while working as an apprentice.
Entry Requirements: Level 3 qualifications are needed. Grade 4 or 5 in English and Maths GCSE is a minimum. As an international student, an IELTS or equivalent English language qualification is required.
Level 7: Masters Degree
1 (full time) or 2 (part time) years. Can be taken after completing an undergraduate degree to specialise in a subject
Entry requirements: Usually a good Bachelors/ Undergraduate degree (2:1 or above).
Level 8: PhD or Doctorate
3 (full time) or 6 (part time) years. Research based degree that can be taken after completing an Undergraduate and Masters degree. Once complete, the student will become a Doctor of their subject.
Entry requirements: Usually a good Masters degree (distinction).