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Home Office prevents Bristol University student from studying
Campaigners and students are mobilising support to challenge Home Office restrictions preventing a student at Bristol University from studying.
The so-called study ban imposed on a member of the university’s Sanctuary Scholarship programme has been branded “yet another damaging and isolating government policy” by the president of the Student Action for Refugees (STAR) society, who is leading calls to impose it.
The university’s Sanctuary Scholarship programme offers opportunities for people from refugee and asylum-seeking communities to study. Tuition fees are waived and a £10,000 bursary, funded by the university and its alumni, is available to go towards their living costs.
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But the Home Office imposed restrictions on two scholarship students, meaning they were effectively suspended from the university and prevented from sitting exams while their refugee status was pending. One ban has now been lifted, but the other remains in place.
Defying the ban is classified as a breach of bail conditions, which could result in a fine or criminal proceedings, including up to six months imprisonment. The government restrictions mean the university is required by law to suspend the student.
Amy-Leigh Hatton, president of STAR, said: “STAR want people fleeing war, torture and persecution to be able to join us at university, and we will do all that we can to support our sanctuary scholars.
“Refugees and asylum seekers face many difficulties in the UK due to an increasingly hostile environment. We want our government to uphold Britain’s commitment to the UN Refugee Convention, and to the Declaration of Human Rights. Everyone has a right to an education.
“These students are determined, motivated and inspiring individuals who deserve to be at this university, and who should have taken their exams. We stand with our sanctuary scholars.”
The university’s Sanctuary Scholarship Group has launched a crowdfunding campaign in a bid to cover the legal costs of challenging the bans. They have so far raised almost 75 per cent of their £5,000 target.
Professor Judith Squires, deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Bristol, has said that she hopes the situation can be resolved “swiftly” and “positively”.
Last month, STAR launched its I’m Here video campaign, made in collaboration with the University of Bristol Television Society and the Students’ Union. The video aims to raise awareness of the Sanctuary Scholars within the university community and tells of the experiences of three Sanctuary Scholars in their own words and voices.
Visit the crowdfunding page via: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/sanctuary-sc
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