Sheffield Hallam University is continuing its commitment as a University of Sanctuary to supporting refugees by promising £500,000 for scholarships and bursaries over the next three years

Press contact: Emma Griffiths | e.griffiths@shu.ac.uk

The University offers Sanctuary Scholarships to talented students who have sought asylum in the UK, which include a full waiver of tuition fees and an extra grant to support the students with costs related to their studies.  

As well as supporting students, the funding will be used as part of a commitment to the Council for At Risk Academics (CARA) which will provide bursaries to post-doctoral researchers at the University.  

Krassimira Teneva, head of international experience at Sheffield Hallam, said: “I am delighted that Sheffield Hallam University is continuing to support those seeking asylum over the coming years, confirming our status as a welcoming and inclusive institution within Sheffield – the original City of Sanctuary.  

“Our scholarships have the power to transform lives through education, recognising incredible resilience and determination in the face of life changing circumstances. We will continue to welcome those seeking sanctuary into our diverse and supportive university community.” 

The funding is one of the many ways Sheffield Hallam is committed to supporting refugees in our community.  

The University’s Refugee Rights Hub, part of the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice, offers free legal advice to refugees in the region and specialises in helping refugees navigate the complex processes and procedures for making family reunification applications. 

Since it began in 2018, the hub has now supported well over 150 family members from all over the world in making applications to join loved ones in the UK. 

Sheffield Hallam University also recently twinned with Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design in offer of support to Ukrainian students and academics, with a longer-term intention to establish teaching and research collaborations, including student and staff mobility. 

In 2021, Sheffield Hallam University became one of only 24 higher education institutes to be named a University of Sanctuary thanks to the support offered to sanctuary seekers to further their studies or research at the University. 

On the 24 June, an event will be held in Hallam Square to celebrate Refugee Week 2022 and the contribution of refugees and asylum seekers to our community.  

The event will showcase different music, dancing, free food, and the free legal advice offered by the University’s Refugee Rights Hub. Syrian businesswoman Razan Alsous will be a keynote speaker on the day.