The UCAS application
To support the identification of students with individual support needs, UCAS has introduced a series of new questions into the application for 2023 entry. One of these questions will enable refugees, asylum seekers, and those with limited leave to remain in the UK to self-declare their circumstances:
Your information will be treated in confidence, to help the university or college provide support for you. It may also be used for monitoring purposes to inform and improve support for future students who are refugees or asylum seekers or with limited leave to remain in the UK.
For more information about answering this question read our FAQs.
Find out more about applying to university if you are a refugee or asylum seeker.
This question is further supported by extended FAQ-style help text to clarify why we ask this question, how the student’s information will be used, and the support they may be able to access by sharing their circumstances.
To support applicants who are refugees, asylum seekers, or with limited leave to remain, UCAS has worked with Student Action for Refugees (STAR) Network to create a personal statement guide which is designed to help applicants highlight to HE providers their circumstances, as well as strengths and skills gained from their personal experience.
Use of this question
This question has been introduced to help universities and colleges connect students with the support and information they will need with making the transition to higher education and being successful in their studies.
This information is not verified by UCAS, and the options do not cover the full range of immigration statuses. Universities and colleges are expected to make contact with the student directly to discuss their circumstances and support needs in more detail and check eligibility for any bursaries or other support packages. UCAS expects this information will be shared with staff members responsible for arranging any support or helping students through the application and into higher education as required (e.g. the student support team, widening participation team). This information should not be used to establish a student’s immigration or fee status.