Being a refugee means that you have permission to stay in the UK and have been granted official ‘refugee’ status by the UK Government. You will have received confirmation from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) or the UK Home Office. Most people granted refugee status are eligible for ‘home’ tuition fees, subject to requirements.
If you have been granted humanitarian protection by the UK Government, you have permission to stay in the UK for humanitarian reasons. You will have received confirmation from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) or the UK Home Office. Many people with humanitarian protection are eligible for ‘home’ tuition fees, subject to meeting requirements about your ordinary residence since having been granted that permission.
The Government’s regulations about who pays ‘home’ fees and who pays ‘overseas’ fees is different in England – read more about this on the UKCISA website.
If you are have applied for asylum and are awaiting a decision, you are considered to be an asylum seeker. If you have been refused asylum and are appealing against that decision, you may still be considered as an asylum seeker while you await the result of that appeal. Asylum seekers are not usually eligible for student finance and support in the UK. However, some asylum seekers may be eligible for ‘home’ fees and/or support through their relationship with a relevant family member, and some universities and colleges offer scholarships to students seeking asylum in the UK.
Find out more about scholarship opportunities on the STAR website.
If you have been granted limited leave to remain (LLR) or discretionary leave to remain (DLR) by the UK Government, you have permission to stay temporarily in the UK and will have confirmation from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) or the UK Home Office. Usually, you will be considered as an ‘overseas’ student and not eligible for student finance. However, some universities and colleges offer scholarships to with an insecure immigration status.
If you don’t think any of these descriptions apply to you, or if you're still uncertain, visit the UKCISA website.