Education Beyond Borders

A conversation started in September to 'explore what steps we could take as SOAS staff and also as an institution in response to the unfolding refugee/migration crisis in Europe.'

In light of this, and in response to the actions of fellow UK universities, SOAS decided to establish ‘Seven Refugee Scholarships’. The details of these scholarships are still yet to be finalised, and there has been very little clarification as to who is entitled to them.

We have taken to decision to write this open letter in order to grant SOAS an opportunity to respond to our queries and to engage them in a dialogue about what we believe these scholarships should entail. We believe there are certain steps that the university can take in order to make these scholarships both inclusive and effective and we stress the urgency of their implementation.

We have 4 asks:

(1) We ask that SOAS provide living bursaries for those who are accepted on this scholarship scheme.
(2) We ask that SOAS apply a broad interpretation of who is entitled to these refugee scholarships.
(3) We ask that SOAS provide full scholarships every year from 2016/17.
(4) We ask that these scholarships are extended to Foundation Degree Students.

It was originally proposed that living bursaries would be fundraised by the SOAS Alumni and Development Team, this course of action has since been suspended. However we believe that even the prospect of fundraising essential living costs is not only unsustainable but irresponsible. We believe that SOAS should offer living bursaries through their annual budget in order to ensure these funds are available for every student. When asylum seekers are provided £36.95 per week in NASS support and are prohibited from working, not providing living bursaries becomes unjust and will exclude those who face financial hardship.

It is important to note that those who have been granted ‘refugee’ status are considered ‘home’ students and have full access to student finance and means tested bursaries whilst those with undetermined or temporary migration status are considered international students. In SOAS’ case they would be expected to pay £16,000 per year. Because of this we ask that these scholarships be open to … asylum seekers, those granted Humanitarian Protection, those granted Leave to Remain as the result as an asylum claim, those granted Leave to Remain as the result of Article 8 - Right to privacy and family life and those who are considered Stateless.
It is important to note at this point that those coming to the UK as part of the Syrian resettlement scheme will only be granted temporary protection and thus if SOAS do not apply a broad interpretation they will be failing to ‘respond to the unfolding refugee/migration crisis.

By providing these scholarships every year would ensure that SOAS' commitment to respond to this 'crisis' would not be a one off gesture. SOAS’ unique regional focus, its variety of languages spoken, the multicultural and multi-ethnic student body and staff are all qualities that we believe make it an inclusive space and we hope that SOAS can live up to its reputation by inviting ordinary people living through extraordinary times to be part of this community.