Universities in Scotland are offering free tuition for Ukrainian refugees and be able to study at for free of charge and receive living cost support.
It was reported by Times Higher Education (THE), subject to parliamentary approval, Ukrainians who want to start university, in Scotland, this year they will be able to qualify for ‘home fee status’ – meaning they will pay tuition fees set at £1,820 for undergraduate course.
How does it work?
In order for a Ukrainian refugee to be eligible for this status they will need to have already applied for any of the Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family or Ukraine Extension schemes. Then they’ll be able to qualify for additional living cost support of up to £8,100 a year in bursaries and loans.
Other Ukrainian students who are already studying in Scotland and are experiencing hardship will be eligible to apply for assistance from a newly created £1 million International Students’ Emergency Fund set up by the Holyrood government.
Scotland is ‘determined’ to help
Jamie Hepburn, Scotland’s higher education minister, said the government is ‘determined to do everything we can’ to help those displaced and fleeing the war-torn country.
He told THE: ‘By extending home fee status and living cost support to students arriving from Ukraine we hope to provide some stability and assurance at this deeply troubling time and ensure those forced to flee their homes can live safely and comfortably in Scotland for as long as they need to.
‘We have also created a new £1 million International Students’ Emergency Fund. This will help Ukrainian students already in Scotland who find themselves in hardship due to their situation, to continue their studies.
‘Education opens doors to opportunities and transforms lives for the better so it is absolutely crucial we remove any financial barriers those displaced by the conflict may face.’
NUS Welcomes The News
This new emergency fund will not only be open to Ukrainian refugees, but to any overseas students facing hardship as a result of conflict or persecution in their home country.
Matt Crilly, Scotland president of the National Union of Students, welcomed the announcement, as he said: ‘Our places of education should always be safe havens for all those affected by war and persecution – this is a practical step towards this vision.’