We are proud to be a University of Sanctuary
With the support of our whole community, students, staff and alumni, we are pleased and proud to be a University of Sanctuary.
The University of Birmingham is committed to providing a welcoming environment to all our students and staff, including those among us who have been forced to flee their homes as a result of war or persecution. As a truly global University, rooted in a city with a long history of welcoming refugees, becoming a University of Sanctuary is strongly aligned with our mission. Through our Sanctuary Scholarships, and our longstanding support through Council for At-Risk Academics fellowships, we recognise and celebrate the academic success that our peers have been able to achieve—often in the face of incredible odds—and seek to support them in working towards a brighter future.
Universities of Sanctuary
Universities of Sanctuary is a national network of university staff, lecturers, academics and students. Together we are working to make Higher Education institutions places of safety, solidarity and empowerment for people seeking sanctuary.
The City of Birmingham has been a City of Sanctuary since 2015.
Sanctuary Scholarship
Our Sanctuary Scholarships scheme has expanded to support an increasing number of students seeking refuge and asylum in the UK from countries including: Yemen, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and Afghanistan. With support from our Alumni we have been able to support additional students through bespoke schemes for students from Ukraine and Gaza (Palestine) where Higher Education institutions and pursuits have been suspended due to ongoing conflict.
In the academic year 2025/26, we are currently supporting 14 individual students through these schemes with tuition fee waivers, accommodation and cost-of-living support.
Without the scholarship, completing my education would have been nearly impossible. It gave me hope and stability during a time when I was in a state of limbo and unsure about how to proceed with my education. The financial support allowed me to focus entirely on my studies without constant worry. It provided not just financial relief, but also a sense of belonging and encouragement that motivated me to excel in my studies.
Sanctuary Scholarships 2025/26
Read the latest report on the impact of your support
We are long-standing members and participants in the CARA Network
The Council for At-Risk Academics is a network that facilitates cooperation and collaboration between higher education and research institutions in support of persecuted and at-risk academics, and in defence of academic and university freedoms worldwide. We are currently supporting three CARA fellows at the University.
Our practical support is a partnership with our world-leading academic expertise, including IRIS: The Institute for Research into International Migration and Superdiversity. The IRIS team have developed one of the world’s most extensive research programmes on refugee sponsorship. Since 2016, this work has informed national policy, enhanced community-led pathways, and contributed to shaping international approaches to refugee resettlement.