Sanctuary seekers

Welcoming sanctuary seekers to the University of Reading

The University of Reading is recognised as a University of Sanctuary and is committed to welcoming and including sanctuary seekers across our teaching, research and community activities. We value the rich contribution those seeking sanctuary can make to our institution and life in Reading.

We achieved the University of Sanctuary Award in 2023, endorse the City of Sanctuary charter, have pledged our commitment to Reading City of Sanctuary, and signed the national organisational pledge to City of Sanctuary.

The University of Sanctuary Award recognises ‘universities that have gone above and beyond to provide an understanding, compassionate, and safe experience that would enable people seeking sanctuary to thrive and recognise their potential’.

Read the University's press release.

Sanctuary scholarships

12 Sanctuary Scholarships are available annually for sanctuary seekers (people with refugee, humanitarian protected or asylum seeker status) in recognition of the disruption to education that displaced people may experience.

The scholarships provide opportunities for those taking pre-sessional, undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses, helping to ensure equal access to higher education for sanctuary seekers.

Council for at-risk academics

The University of Reading has long been a supporter of the Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara).

For many years, the University has hosted fellows through Cara’s Fellowship Programme, which helps academics in danger escape to a safe place where they can continue their work.
The University gives an ongoing annual donation to the Council and each year we make a significant contribution to the fees, research expenses, and living costs for a student or postdoctoral scholar at our institution.
We have also provided ongoing support for the Council for At-Risk Academics Syria Programme since 2016. University staff regularly lead workshops in Istanbul for Syrian academics from a range of different academic fields who have been forced into exile in Turkey by the Syrian crisis, as well as providing them with online tutoring.

Support for local sanctuary seekers

The International Study and Language Institute at the University works with RefuAid to provide English language support and tutoring for local sanctuary seekers preparing for university studies.

Our careers service is also working with Reading Refugee Support Group to develop their online employability skills training for local sanctuary seekers.

Visit our English language support for sanctuary seekers webpage for more information.

Sanctuary Cafés and other events

We hold community engagement, sporting and arts activities to raise awareness about people’s lived experiences of sanctuary seeking, fundraise for local refugee organisations, and welcome sanctuary seekers on campus. We are currently establishing Sanctuary Café Walk ‘n’ Talk groups for local sanctuary seekers, staff and students to meet informally on campus and activities for Refugee Week.

Co-producing knowledge with sanctuary seekers

Our research seeks to involve sanctuary seekers in co-producing knowledge to improve the lives of sanctuary seekers in the UK and globally. Many academics and researchers are working on issues of forced migration to raise awareness and achieve policy and practice change.

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For more information on University of Sanctuary activities at the University, please contact: Ruth Evans: r.evans@reading.ac.uk or Federico Faloppa: f.faloppa@reading.ac.uk

City of Sanctuary

Sanctuary scholarships

Council for at-risk academics

Support for local sanctuary seekers

Sanctuary Cafés and other events

Co-producing knowledge with sanctuary seekers

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