The University of Southampton is a diverse and inclusive community, and we strive to help break down barriers to accessing higher education. As part of our commitment, the University has embarked on an initiative to become a University of Sanctuary.
Universities of Sanctuary is a national network committed to making Higher Education institutions a place of solidarity and safety for those seeking sanctuary.
Our journey started with the amazing work happening across the University to create a place of safety and development for refugees and asylum seekers, we were delighted to achieve University of Sanctuary status in October 2024.
Since our application to Universities of Sanctuary in September 2023, we have continued to support people seeking sanctuary in many ways, including with the Swim with US initiative and the Lost Homes, New Horizons: Exploring Forced Displacement Through the Power of Education, Refugee Week in 2023.
We offer support in a broad range of areas including:
- our Sanctuary Scholarship for students
- the events taking place across the University
- Refugee Week at the University
- offering support through our Academic Skills Hub and Wellbeing Support
Sanctuary scholarship application
The University offers 2 new scholarships each academic year to students seeking sanctuary.
The Sanctuary Scholarship is awarded to 1 undergraduate student and 1 postgraduate student each year and it includes a range of support including:
- covering 100% of tuition fees
- a bursary for each year of study
- a welcome pack
- support with accommodation
- support from our dedicated member of staff
For more information on how to apply, the terms and criteria, please visit the Sanctuary Scholarship page.
Our 3-year plan
Year 1
We intend to build on our current partnerships and relationships with other Universities, our own departments, our Student Union and local charities, to further enhance the impact and reach of our sanctuary program.
We are particularly looking to work with thefollowing groups to improve both our outreach work and the efficacy of how Universities work together to support people seeking sanctuary.
- Schools of Sanctuary
- Colleges of Sanctuary
- Hampshire Universities Together (HUT)
We will monitor our Sanctuary scholarship through our Theory of Change framework, ensuring the scholarship is fit for purpose.
Year 2
We want to continue to collaborate with thefollowing groups to support our community engagement commitment.
- Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA)
- Hampshire Universities Together (HUT)
- City of Sanctuary
We will develop our arts and culture links through the John Hansard Gallery and Turner Sims .
Whilst we are always striving to work in our community and with other organisations and departments, we will continue to develop the work that happens across the University in both teaching and research relating to Sanctuary. In our second year, we would also like to develop how we communicate entry pathways to better support students.
Year 3
We would like to look outside of formal education and work with colleagues who already support Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) and Future Learn courses for individuals who cannot access formal education.
In Year 3 as echoed in the plans for Year 1 and 2, we want to continue working with organisations within the local community, such as:
- CLEAR
- Southampton and Winchester Visitor Group (SWCG)
- Hampshire Universities Together network (HUT).
We will also work with national organisations such as Student Action for Refugees (STAR) and the Universities of Sanctuary network.
Our partners
The University of Southampton works collaboratively with a range of organisations to improve community engagement and to ensure that we are doing our best to support our communities here in Southampton.
This list of organisations includes:
- Hampshire Universities Together (HUT)
- Student Action for Refugees (STAR)
- Southampton and Winchester Visitors Groups (SWVG)
- City Life Education and Action for Refugees (CLEAR)
The University is currently hosting 7 Council of At-Risk Academics (CARA) fellows across 5 of our faculties. We are committed to creating a place of Sanctuary by working with the CARA.
The University of Southampton Sanctuary team are also collaborating with the Southampton Sanctuary Network with:
Events and activities open to the public
The University runs a mixture of both ongoing, annual and one-off events to support people seeking sanctuary or spread awareness of the topic. Previous initiatives have included Swim with US which allowed free passes for swimming at our Jubilee Sports Centre to a limited number of people seeking sanctuary in Southampton.
The University’s Hockey Society also held an introduction session at Wide Lane, supported by Southampton and Winchester Visitor Group (SWVG) with transport provided to improve access.
Annually, the University of Southampton celebrates Refugee Week.The theme last year was 'Compassion'. In collaboration with our REACH (Race Ethnicity and Culture Heritage) staff network we arranged an event called Lost Homes New Horizons . This event, held in Turner Sims included speakers with lived experience.
John Hansard Gallery frequently hosts exhibitions looking at the experiences of people who have sought sanctuary and their journeys.
The University of Southampton’s Law School has recently opened a Clinical Legal Education initiative that offers free and confidential advice to the public, students and staff to support justice particularly for groups that would have trouble accessing legal advice or help by themselves.
Events and activities open to staff and students
Aside from the open events and activities there also other ways that the Universities facilities and teaching support our students seeking sanctuary. The Faith and Reflection Centre and the Muslim Prayer Room are both open and welcoming to staff and students who may wish to practice faith and have a safe space to do so.
The University of Southampton shows its commitment to research and teaching in relation to topics such as seeking sanctuary, forced migration or refugees. We support academics and modules that teach and research in these areas, such as our Migration, Borders and Refuge module and our Children and Human Rights module, which are both held within the Politics and International Relations faculty.
The University of Southampton also has a Migration network that links together staff who have interest in sanctuary or migration. This is an internal community that allows staff to support or help. Our student society Southampton Student Action for Refugees raises awareness, volunteers and campaigns in support of people seeking sanctuary.
Contact us
We would love to hear from you if you have any questions, queries or suggestions! We are committed to making the University of Southampton a place of sanctuary.
There are a range of ways of getting in contact, including:
- email our dedicated Sanctuary Coordinator at [email protected]
- our 24/7 Student Hub, either email at [email protected] or by phone at 023 8059 9599
- Talk2Us for information about School-University Partnerships, email [email protected]
- visit the Talk to US webpage for more information