University of Sanctuary
Our commitment
We are committed to welcoming refugees, asylum seekers and people seeking sanctuary to our university community. We aim to create a culture of welcome and inclusion for all, and to celebrate the diversity that makes up our university community and wider communities around Bristol.
Achieving University of Sanctuary status
In 2011, UWE Bristol was one of the first signatories to the Bristol City of Sanctuary, building a city of welcome, safety and hope. We retain strong links with the City of Sanctuary and other organisations supporting sanctuary seekers in Bristol, and are proud to have signed the City of Sanctuary Organisation Pledge.
In 2024, UWE Bristol was awarded University of Sanctuary status, recognising the range of ways in which we support sanctuary seekers within our own institution and in wider communities around Bristol.
As a University of Sanctuary, we will continue to demonstrate our commitment to learn about sanctuary, embed this learning across our institution, and to share our learning and opportunities with the wider community. Staff and students at UWE Bristol are engaged in a wide range of activities which support our ambition as a University of Sanctuary.
Scholarships and bursaries
UWE Bristol Sanctuary Scholarship
We offer two annual scholarships to support sanctuary seekers who are not eligible for UK student finance looking to study undergraduate courses at UWE Bristol. The scholarships include a full tuition fee waiver for the duration of the course, a £5,000 annual bursary and access to pastoral support from UWE Cares.
Support for Refugee students from UWE Cares
Undergraduate students who have refugee status, humanitarian protection, or have been granted leave under the Ukraine schemes, are eligible for support from UWE Cares, including the UWE Cares bursary of £1,650 per year.
"The Sanctuary Scholarship has been life-changing for me. It provided not just financial support, but also a sense of belonging and hope for the future. It allowed me to pursue my education without constant worry, empowering me to focus on my studies and contribute to my community."
Sanctuary Scholar BA Accounting and Finance
Contextual offers
Applicants who indicate they have refugee status on their UCAS application form may be eligible to receive a contextual offer below the standard entry tariff. This applies to all Undergraduate and Foundation year courses.
- Undergraduate courses: 16 tariff points below the standard entry tariff
- Foundation year courses: 8 tariff points below the standard entry tariff
Find out more about contextual offers
All contextual offer holders are invited to join our ‘Access to UWE Bristol support programme’, which aims to support students through the transition from school or college to university life. This includes a three-day Summer School, and a range of talks, webinars and other resources.
Get involved
Find out how UWE Bristol staff and students are working in partnership with local organisations and communities to support Sanctuary Students. The UWE Bristol Community Fund can offer advice and funding for developing similar projects.
Get in touch and let us know about other activities you are involved with at ediprojects@uwe.ac.uk.
Bristol Refugee Artists Collective
UWE Bristol has a long-term partnership with Bristol Refugee Artists Collective (BRAC), involving students from Graphic Design, Illustration and Journalism, led by Mian Ng. Past events include workshops, residencies and exhibitions for the Bristol Refugee Festival, and collaborating with Architecture students to develop plans for a Memorial Garden, at the Quaker Burial Ground near St Mary Redcliffe Church.
Drama club for young refugees and asylum seekers
UWE Bristol Drama students and alumni, led by Fahrudin Salihbegovic (Wallscourt Fellow in Performance and Performance Technologies), have established a drama club for young refugees and asylum seekers studying at City of Bristol College. The group has developed workshops and a performance at Cotham Parish Church, exploring how to represent the lived experiences of young refugees in a form that is both safe for the participants and engaging for the audience. The group is now looking to expand in order to present its work to a wider audience.
Wisdom for the Global Majority podcast
UWE Bristol MA Journalism students have developed a podcast series, ‘Wisdom from the Global Majority’. It tells the stories of migrants and refugees in Bristol through their own words. Students worked in collaboration with not-for-profit social enterprise ACH, pairing up with refugees and migrants who have been supported by ACH and using their storytelling skills to explore and celebrate successes often overlooked by mainstream media.
Global Migration Network
UWE Bristol's Global Migration Network brings together academics and practitioners interested in migration-related issues. It aims to facilitate and contribute to cross-disciplinary research on migration, inform policy and public debate, and engage with users of migration research.
Women in Refugee Law Network
Dr Christel Querton (Wallscourt Fellow in Law) co-convenes the Women in Refugee Law (WiRL) Network, comprised of refugee women, senior and early career scholars, practitioners, policymakers and activists working in this field around the globe.
Asylum Seeker and Refugee Wellbeing Conference
UWE Bristol hosts an annual Asylum Seeker and Refugee Wellbeing Conference, bringing together people working to support the mental health and wellbeing of asylum seekers and refugees in Bristol and surrounding areas, organised by Dr Emily Le Roux-Rutledge (Senior Lecturer in Social Psychology).
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