Report summary: Finding their way

This report was authored by Amy Ashlee (Refugee Education UK), Dr Ursula Clayton (University of Warwick ECLS), Dr Saeid Hmmed (University of Warwick ECLS) and Divya Jose (Refugee Education UK).

Report name

Finding Their Way: The Journey to University for Refugee and Asylum-Seeking Young people in Coventry

Who wrote this report?

This research is from the University of Warwick’s English and Comparative Literary Studies Department and Refugee Education UK on access to Higher Education for Refugees.

Best quote

When talking about the many barriers faced by young refugee and asylum-seeking students and the resilience and hope they carry to continue in education, one respondent commented- “It’s the system that’s wrong, but we are still fighting.”

Key takeaways:

• Refugee and asylum-seeking young people in Coventry are ambitious and many strive towards studying at university. But getting there is rarely straightforward; many are required to embark on a long and difficult journey to realise their higher education dreams.
• The role of mentors, young refugees’ resilience and determination, and the persistent support from community members and local organisations are key in helping young people navigate the journey to university.
• A local university has an important role to play in helping refugee and asylum-seeking young people in their surrounding area progress towards and access university. This is particularly the case if they partner with local colleges and organisations.

What’s in this report?

This research report explores the journey to higher education for refugee and asylum-seeking young people living in Coventry. The study explores the barriers to university facing refugee and asylum-seeking young people in Coventry and reveals the ways in which these are navigated. It also highlights the role of the University of Warwick in addressing and reducing these barriers for their local community of refugees and asylum seekers. This research study demonstrates that, by investing in the investigation and clarification of local barriers to education, universities can work towards establishing clear strategies for addressing those known barriers.

This report covers some of the prominent barriers that young refugee and asylum-seeking students face in their journeys of education, while also identifying factors that help in overcoming those barriers. Although findings from this study suggest that the journey becomes cumbersome because of financial barriers, they particularly emphasise the extent of refugee and asylum-seeking young people’s struggle to fulfil university admission requirements, especially with regards to English language.

While identifying barriers to education, this research also identified positive experiences of refugee and asylum-seeking students in Coventry, navigating challenges and successfully reaching higher education. Findings revealed the importance of community support networks, both young people’s cultural communities and those formed by community-based charities and support services.

Through examining the journey to higher education for refugee and asylum-seeking young people in Coventry, this study proposes that universities can play a significant role in the lives of refugee and asylum-seeking young people in their local area. Actions as simple as welcoming refugee and asylum-seeking young people onto their campus could shift their perceptions of universities from a potentially unwelcoming and daunting environment to one that welcomes diversity.

The research concludes by articulating recommendations for the University of Warwick, local further education colleges and voluntary sector organisations, and refugee education experts, to help address the barriers to higher education.

Why should you read this report?

Home Office data shows that the period July 2021 - June 2022 saw a 109.5% increase in the number of asylum applications by young people (aged 29 and under) over the previous year, indicating the subsequent increase in applications universities of higher education can anticipate in the coming years. While this report is specific to Coventry, it highlights barriers that young people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds face regularly in their access to higher education, and the recommendations included would benefit anyone working in higher education in the UK.

Who is this report for?

This report is for universities, further education institutions, policymakers, practitioners, third sector organisations and anybody who is passionate about improving access to higher education for refugee and asylum-seeking young people.

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